The quality and value of the cladding directly depend on the symmetry and uniformity of its individual components, i.e. individual tiles in relation to the quality of the surface and its dimensions. That is why, any dimensional differences and asymmetries of the tiles, deviations of the surface from flatness, which violate the harmony of the cladding and worsen its appearance, will be considered defects. The quality of the surface is determined by the presence of the following defects: gaps, cracks, lack of glaze, unevenness, depressions, pits, damage to the vitrified surface, specks and stains, body defects, decorative defects, darkening, chipped edges and corners.
The method for controlling size and appearance characteristics is described in EN ISO 10545-2. To control the appearance, a minimum of 30 samples of tiles are selected, which must form a surface area of at least 1 m². The appearance of the tiles is checked visually (with the naked eye) at an illumination of 300 lux from a distance of 1 m from the observer’s eyes. According to the standard, preparation of the sample surface and visual assessment of the surface are carried out by different persons. Surface quality is expressed as a percentage of the number of tiles without defects.
The appearance characteristics, as well as the dimensional characteristics, are checked randomly on the tiles before they are packaged. Control is carried out visually by specially trained personnel (MANUAL SORTING) or by machine (AUTOMATIC SORTING).
The following type characteristics are important: length of the sides and thickness, straightness of the sides, orthogonality, flatness of the surface.
The difference in size and dimensional deviations are expressed as a percentage of the working size of the tile.
If defective tiles do not exceed 5%, then the batch is assigned FIRST GRADE, and if they exceed 5%, then the batch is assigned SECOND GRADE.
Information on this issue is presented in the article Dimensional and type characteristics .
Frost resistance - the ability of ceramic tiles to withstand freezing in a humid environment and at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius. The freezing mechanism is divided into two stages. The first stage is the penetration of water from the environment into the pores of the tile. The second stage is the hardening (freezing) of water inside the pores. As is known, the transition of water from a liquid to a solid state is accompanied by an increase in volume, since the density of ice is less than the density of water. Thus, when water freezes inside the pores, the tile is subjected to mechanical stress, which can lead to cracks or chipping of part of the material.
Frost resistance also prevents ice from forming on the face of the tile. This is due to the fact that water, without getting inside the material through the pores of the top layer, seems to “roll off” from the surface.
According to EN ISO 10545-12:1997, tests confirming frost resistance properties are carried out as follows: ceramic tiles or slabs, after being saturated with water, are subjected to alternate temperatures of +5 ° C and minus 5 ° C. They are then completely frozen for at least 100 freeze-thaw cycles. After 100 freeze/thaw cycles, the faces and edges of ceramic tiles or slabs are examined for damage.
The frost resistance property of ceramic tiles is not guaranteed in extremely low temperature zones (below -40 °C). This is due to the test conditions of EN ISO 10545-12:1997, as they are carried out at temperatures between +5°C and -5°C. In this regard, manufacturers mark materials suitable for use in such an environment with a special EXTRA°C sign, which in turn indicates testing in the temperature range from -50 °C to +100 °C.
According to EN ISO 10545-12:1997, tests confirming frost resistance properties are not carried out as such. A material is considered frost-resistant if it falls into group 1 of materials according to the degree of water absorption (<3%).
Based on the mechanisms described above, the frost resistance of a material is determined by two parameters: 1) The presence and number of pores that allow water to penetrate into the material; 2) The shape and size of the pores, the volume of voids of which, allows you to distribute the loads of the changing state of water. It follows from this that frost resistance is directly related to water absorption: the lower the water absorption, the greater the likelihood that the material is frost-resistant. However, there are also highly porous materials (with a high rate of water absorption) that are characterized by frost resistance. Frost resistance in this case is due to the shape and size of the pores, allowing moisture to penetrate into the material without destroying it as a result of hydrothermal loads.
Based on the mechanisms described above, the frost resistance of a material is determined by the possibility of water penetration into the material, in other words, the degree of water absorption. Thus, if a material does not absorb water, it is frost-resistant, but if it does, it is not.
Material on this issue is presented in the article Frost resistance .
Abrasion resistance is a mechanical characteristic of a lined surface. Indicates the surface’s resistance to wear due to exposure to rubbing objects, surfaces, and materials. Which expressions do you think are correct?
Abrasion resistance also affects other functional characteristics of the ceramic tile surface, such as chemical and stain resistance and ease of maintenance. Naturally, this aspect is equally important for glazed and unglazed tiles, because... abrasion leads to a weakening of the tile structure itself, the appearance of pores and microcracks invisible to the naked eye, into which dirt, etc. gets clogged.
The wear resistance requirements for unglazed ceramic tiles and slabs are set by EN 14411 and depend on water absorption and the method of their manufacture.
Abrasion resistance is a property characteristic only of glazed ceramic tiles. Since intense and prolonged exposure to the surface over time can lead to partial loss of the glazed layer, and this, in turn, will lead to exposure of the ceramic mass and, as a consequence, to the loss of not only the aesthetic, but also the functional qualities of the facing surface. Damage to unglazed tiles is almost invisible, since abrasion of the top layer leads to exposure of the ceramic mass, which in unglazed tiles is no different from the top layer.
According to the test method EN ISO 10545-7:1998, glazed tiles are divided into wear resistance classes, from "0" to "5". Where fifth class tiles are least resistant to abrasion.
The important point is that unlike other quality tests on tiles, durability testing does not determine the value of the tile. The results of the study divide the tiles into classes, each of which corresponds to a specific purpose of the tile, and in no way to divide the tiles into “bad” and “good”.
Information on this issue is presented in the article Abrasion resistance, wear resistance .
Water absorption is a parameter that determines the porosity of ceramic tiles. It is measured by the amount of water that ceramic tiles absorb under certain laboratory conditions, and is expressed as a percentage of the dry weight of the tiles.
Mark the true statements.
A low water absorption coefficient indicates that the structure of the tile is porous, and a high coefficient indicates that the structure of the material is more dense.
According to EN ISO 10545-3, the penetration of water into the open pores of samples is determined using two methods: boiling and water saturation in a vacuum. When boiling, water saturation occurs only in easily filled open pores; with the vacuum method, almost all open pores are filled.
The lower the degree of water absorption, the more resistant the tile will be to intense mechanical and hydrothermal influences.
According to EN ISO 10545-3, the penetration of water into the open pores of samples is determined exclusively using the water saturation method in a vacuum. The boiling method, as a test that does not allow determining open porosity and bulk density, is considered obsolete.
According to the EN 14411 standard, ceramic tiles and slabs are divided into three main groups based on water absorption. Where the third group corresponds to the lowest water absorption rates.
Material on this issue is presented in the article Water absorption .
The term craquelure itself refers to the crevices and cracks that form on the surface of the glaze. The pattern of these cracks is often circular, although they may be scattered across the surface of the glaze. The reason for the appearance of craquelure is either a difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion of the shard and the glaze, or deformation of the tile due to the impact of mechanical load on it.
This defect can appear immediately after the end of the production cycle (in this case they speak of “immediate craquelure”) or some time after laying the tiles (in this case they speak of “late craquelure”).
Glazed tiles with an "immediate crackle effect" are not considered defective, although manufacturers sometimes deliberately create collections of tiles with a "craquelure effect" for aesthetic purposes.
The test method for determining the resistance to cracking of glazes (craquelure) of ceramic tiles and slabs is given in the EN ISO 10545-18 standard. To determine the resistance to cracking of glazes, tiles and slabs are subjected to high pressure steam in an autoclave. Then the tiles and slabs, after applying the dye to the glazed surfaces, are examined for the presence of cracks in the glaze.
When craquelure appears on polished ceramic tiles and slabs, the term "polished craquelure" is used.
“Late craquelure” occurs under the influence of the external environment during operation. The reasons for its appearance are: thermal shock, insufficient drying of the cement base, excessive cement content in the layer, excessive thickness of the mortar layer.
The material on this issue is presented in the article “ Resistance to craquelure ” and “ Cracking of craquelure glaze ”.
