Nowadays, specialized stores offer a large number of types of ceramic tiles. At the same time, sellers and consumers often lack a clear understanding of the physical and chemical characteristics and classification of these types of tiles. So, for example, a sales consultant, presenting wall tiles, talks about the number of firings, presenting floor tiles, talks about the type of clay, presenting porcelain stoneware, talks about pressing, introducing clinker, talks about an unglazed surface. It is clear that in this case it is not easy for the buyer.
By setting this forum topic, I would like to jointly solve three main problems:
- highlight the main parameters by which classification of ceramic tiles is possible;
- classify ceramic tiles;
- For each type of tile, indicate the area of application.
I look forward to your posts.
Ceramic tiles can be classified according to the type of clay :
Ceramic tiles can be classified according to the molding method :
More information on molding methods can be found here .
Ceramic tiles can be classified according to surface treatment method :
The glazing process is described here .
Ceramic tiles can be classified according to the firing method :
Information about the firing stage of ceramic tiles .
I know that ceramic tiles are classified according to the type of shard :
Vitrification is the process of converting raw materials into a glassy mass.
There is a wide variety of parameters by which the classification of ceramic tiles is possible, but the basis is based on two basic principles that take into account: physical and chemical features, technological features of production.
Names such as terracotta, cottoforte , majolica , gres porcelanato , gres , clinker , faience are technical terms, each of which corresponds to certain physical and chemical characteristics of the raw material.
Another classification takes into account one of the stages of the technological process, namely firing. Widely used technical and commercial names: single firing , double firing , porous single firing , triple firing - have a technological basis.
Tiles classified in this way have their own technical and commercial names. Due to the fact that Italy has historically been a leader in the production of ceramic tiles, these names have become commonly used, although each country has its own terminological classification, implying a specific technological process, raw material composition, etc.
So let's sum up the intermediate results. In order to take into account all the characteristic features of each category of tiles, the entire variety of tiles can be reduced to the following classification:
For clarity, I will give a possible classification of tiles.
Colleagues, there is a serious discussion going on here. The table with the classification is almost an abstract on a given topic, even the use has been improved, which, of course, is important for the consumer.
At one time I became acquainted with the European standard (EN 14411), in which the classification of ceramic tiles was carried out on the basis of water absorption and the method of molding (in total there were 8 groups, and in the place with subgroups 12, it seems like that). Thus, two basic principles were used, which Denis Enko - physical and chemical features, technological features of production.
Maybe you can dig in this direction? Next we will discuss the result.
I got acquainted with the European standard EN 14411 (thanks to Associate Professor ). Indeed, according to this standard, ceramic tiles and slabs are divided into 12 groups according to their manufacturing method and water absorption. However, the groups do not specify the scope of application of ceramic tiles and slabs.
The classification uses two manufacturing methods:
Based on water absorption (E), ceramic tiles and slabs are divided into the following three groups:
Requirements for dimensions and surface quality, as well as physical and chemical indicators must correspond to the data specified in the relevant annex of the standard for each group of ceramic tiles and slabs.
Starting this forum thread, I wanted to jointly find answers to the following problems:
Let me sum up the intermediate results. We managed to find information on all tasks. Thanks to this forum thread, the “Standards” section on the website has been updated. The European standard EN 14411 , which can be consulted on issues of classification, quality indicators and labeling of ceramic tiles and slabs. Also on the site appeared the interstate standard GOST 6787-2001 , which applies to glazed and unglazed floor tiles.
For interested individuals, I will provide a list of interstate standards related to ceramic tiles: