Tile. Granite. Marble. / | Testing of ceramic granite |
" Gres " (also known as ceramic granite) - the new kind of ceramic tiles, which itself has a little more than 30 years. It is used for facing all types of surfaces indoors and outdoors: " Private " interiors, restaurants, airports, swimming pools, paving paths and much more. This finishing material competes not only with the traditional ceramics, but also with natural stone materials, so the builders tipped a great future. New neemalirovannaya (unglazed) tiles of various colors and shades has truly outstanding performance.
The depth and permanence of color and pattern on the entire volume of material. It is achieved through the special composition: a mixture for the manufacture of ceramic granite consists of several varieties of clay (including kaolin), quartz sand, feldspar, mineral additives and pigments, the most traditional of which are metal oxides. By the way, natural ingredients in the composition " ", Gres unlike natural stone, not a source of high radioactivity and therefore absolutely safe for health.
The high strength and hardness. The unique technology of pressing and sintering allows the material to give excellent mechanical properties. The tiles are pressed under a pressure of 500 kilograms per square centimeter segments of small format (about 2x2 cm). With this technology of pressing " Gres " It has a uniform density structure. Firing ceramic granite conducted at a temperature from 1200 to 1300 degrees Celsius (about 200 degrees higher than normal tile). Thus there is a so-called restructuring of material: raw material is sintered and formed a monolith. After cooling, a very solid and durable material, resistant to abrasive. Its hardness on the Mohs scale according to some Italian manufacturers reaches 8, whereas natural stones - not more than 6, and at the very hard mineral in the world diamond - 10. So artificial granite slightly abraded, and coatings therefrom have a high resistance to wear .
Extremely low water absorption. Even natural granite absorb moisture at 0,02-0,7%. Tile " Gres " after firing has a dense structure so that its performance " absorption " also close to zero. Therefore, ceramic granite, as a rule, distinguished and high frost resistance.
The main types of surfaces
Gamma porcelain tiles wide and diverse materials different type of surface pattern and manufacturing technology.
Matte coating. Untreated, a natural appearance, which is obtained after leaving the oven.
Polished. Cut and polish rough layer. Material becomes sparkling, its color becomes " depth ". Unfortunately, polished tiles less resistant to scratches, and in contact with water it becomes very slippery.
Semi-polished. By partially cutting the top layer creates a striking combination of polished sections mixed with rough matt texture. This is usually treated initially with uneven tiles face.
" ". Waxed Effect wax treated surface is achieved through a transparent mineral crystals deposited on the tile to phase sintering. Slightly shiny surface has a smooth, soft bumps, so do not " slip ", as polished.
Invoice. For billing " old stone " or " brick " use special stamps.
What and how we tested
For our test, we selected 10 types of unglazed floor tiles " Gres " worth up to 600 rubles. 1 m and about the size of 30x30 cm. Outset that in the capital of the money you can buy relatively modest in terms of vendors and builders material. His choice, we stopped on a ceramic granite with untreated, matte surface, commonly often called " salt-pepper ". It is widely represented in the market of CIS and foreign countries, as well as domestic factories.
Most of the samples we bought at the Moscow construction markets through the official dealer of the foreign and domestic producers. Thus, from the acquisition of counterfeits we have insured.
Self Testing conducted by specialists in accredited testing laboratory " Aviapromstroyispytaniya " Of " Giproniiaviaprom " in Moscow, according to GOST 27180-86 " ceramic tiles. Test Methods ". Verify the compliance of products provided the requirements of GOST 6787-90 " ceramic tiles for floors. Specifications ".
The test methods
1. The geometrical parameters and appearance. For tiler these characteristics are more important than others. Flawless appearance is not only pleasing to the eye, from the accuracy of the geometric dimensions of each tile depends on surface quality in general. Speaking simply, oblique samples with noticeable variations in length and width generate large unwanted gaps. Gage tile is not the best mechanical properties where the thin, there and pricked. A large curvature of the front surface leads to the formation of depressions there after wet cleaning are potential pools.
Control of linear dimensions, the correct form and appearance were carried out for each type of tile on the party of 9 pieces. Linear dimensions. " linear " performance ceramic granite are very high. All the ten kinds of tiles of the chosen format (more than 100 mm in length and width, thickness 4-9 mm) satisfy the requirements of GOST 6787-90: deviations from the nominal dimensions of length and width does not exceed & plusmn; 1%, thickness - & plusmn; 10%, and the variation in thickness of one tile - not more than 0.8 mm permissible. This is because, firstly, the technology of molding and heat treatment provides a virtually perfect match tile sizes mold. Secondly, many manufacturers after firing is carried retifikatsiyu - additional mechanical processing for giving the lateral edges of all the tiles of a single size in series in each format.
The curvature of the front surface. Possible deviations from GOST curvature shape - not more than 0.5%. Bending the front surface of each of the nine tiles in the game determined by the probe and the metal line. Line applied edge to the diagonal tile and measured the greatest gap between it and the granite surface. During the measurement result has the largest value of the gap in the game.
Oblique. This " tiled disease " also regulated - no more than 0.5%. For its detection using square. Moreover, not a drawing, but a special calibrated consisting of two bars arranged at right angles to each other, and as the bottom wall of the box. The tool in turn applied to the edges of the tiles so that a tightly lying on its side of the horizontal and the other - related to vertical. In this position, we measured the largest gap between the inner edge of the square and controlled face.
Appearance. When the floor tiles for the interior there are minor flaws, EU standards do not consider it to be substandard, only strictly stipulate the nature of the defects and their quantity. Possible stains flies should be visible at a distance of 1.7 meters, the total area repelled from the front surface does not exceed 10 square millimeters, and Scherbyna serrations thereon and also - to be no wider than 1 mm and not longer than 10. In addition, simultaneously on one tile is allowed no more than 3 such defects.
All samples were subjected to careful examination in diffuse artificial light. He testified that on one sample each of the ten parties tiles outside the front surface defects (repulsed Shcherbina, bulges, bald patches, spots, flies, incisions) were not detected. This fact indirectly testifies to the high strength of the material, because even during transport will inevitably arise situations in which the presentation may suffer. With respect to " geometry " leader among the ten kinds of ceramic granite was recognized by Turkish tiles " Sugar " (Toprak). It has minimal deviations from the nominal dimensions of length and width (± 0.03%) and there is no curvature of the front surface.
2. Water absorption. By lining material for bathroom first put demands on water resistance. The water wears away the stone and porous ceramics - spoils. After all, if tiles absorb moisture like a sponge, it would have quickly lost its form has changed color, pattern, surface, size, perhaps even physical properties. In accordance with GOST 6787-90 unglazed floor tiles should not absorb water more than 3.8% of its volume. By the way, water absorption and absorption - different things. Take for example a sponge and pumice. Both materials - highly porous and can absorb sufficient moisture. However, if you put each in a puddle of water, sponge it absorbs and pumice - ignore. It turns out that both high water absorption, but only a sponge absorbs water. This parameter is represented by each type of ceramic granite was determined in accordance with GOST 27180-86 for five samples. From tiles chipped pieces weighing no less than 50 grams, was dried to a constant weight and weighed with a high precision electronic balance. The samples were filled with water and simmer on low heat for three hours. Granite left in the " soup " for a day, and then again weighed and determined as a percentage of " increment " each piece due to moisture absorption. Experiments have shown that ceramic granite has a very low rate of water absorption - at the level of the natural stone. The best results showed the Italian tile Coral CL06 (Estima).
3. Bending strength. When it comes to flooring, the strength - one of the main demands placed on them. The tile under your feet we ruthlessly trampling and loads, drop heavy objects on it. Its strength characteristics are important during installation and during operation. Imagine that the floor surface is not ideal, and in contact with uneven floors, so even the load of your weight by the square tiles redistributed unequally. Load limit, which material is capable of withstanding without breaking, characterized by the strength (or resistance) to bending. For example, a female stud pressure may reach 6 MPa, so that the requirements of GOST 6787-90 of at least 25 MPa is warranted.
To determine the flexural strength tile " Gres " laboratory " Aviapromstroyispytaniya " testing machine used UMM-50. For each batch of ceramic granite tiles collected 8. Of these, 10 samples were sawed in half the size of the tiles were dried and tested for alternately press.
The sample is laid face up on two legs - mutually parallel metal rods. Above the middle tile set push edge - a rod that transmits the load - and uniformly without jolts loaded test cell at 0.6 MPa per second to fracture. To calculate the tensile strength using the maximum load recorded at the time of destruction, and the smallest thickness at the site of the fracture. It should be noted that the results of the study of the strength properties of ceramic granite, all the samples proved to be very worthy: their stock flexural strength is 1.5-2 times higher than the requirements of the current standard for floor tiles. But even among them stand out the top four: Gres 0633 (" ", Ceramin Belarus), Basic New York (Floor gres, Italy), " Sugar " (Toprak, Turkey) and Granite Naturale MP5135 (Kerko, Slovakia).
4. Abrasion. When operating the floor surface is exposed mainly abrades efforts we scuffs, move furniture, dragged drag of gravity. This really do not want to stay in it traces of such activities. Material resistance to scratches and damage characterized by one of two parameters: the surface hardness or abrasion.
Abrasion resistance is characterized by loss of mass after grinding the tiles - this process is the basis of the test. In accordance with GOST 27180-86 for our studies of each type of ceramic granite have cut 5 pieces measuring 70x70 mm and glue them to the concrete cubes. Billets dried to constant weight and weighed accurately. The samples were tested on the device LKS 3. Each was subjected to abrasion on the grinding disk 12 times in a different direction. As used abrasive silica sand fraction determined. Cube pressed against the front surface of the disk with a load of 0.6 MPa and polished for 1 minute, during which time the disc committed 30 turnovers. Then carefully scrape sample, rotated 90 degrees and polished with a new portion of the abrasive. Abrasion material determined by the total weight loss after 12 cycles of grinding.
The best indicators of abrasion resistance were observed in tiles Coral CL06 (Estima, Italy). But the special production technology ensures extremely low abrasion all tested materials " Gres " - 3-4 times better than EU standards (0.18 g/cm) - and thus minimal wear coating for a long service time. To care for ceramic granite with a matte surface can safely use any powdered household cleaners. 5. Chemical resistance. As a rule, put tile on the floor in domestic premises, where it is often required to carry out wet cleaning - bathrooms, kitchens and hallways. The implication is that you can wash the pottery, but it is useful to know what household cleaners to use for this. The ability of a material to withstand the effects of various substances (household chemicals, fats, salts, alkalis and acids), without changing the appearance, is determined by its chemical resistance. An objective assessment provides a direct contact with an aggressive substance, but such an experiment would last too long.
For unglazed tiles Standard provides rapid method for determining chemical resistance. The pre-ground to a specific tile fractions are carefully washed and dried. One portion of the sample was placed in a 70 percent solution of sulfuric acid, the other - 1 per cent of alkaline solution of sodium hydroxide. Both refluxed for 6 hours over low heat, pooled, filtered and washed thoroughly. Solids after the action of acid and alkali were dried and weighed. From the change in weight of each sample was determined acid- and alkali resistance of the material.
Ceramic granite all producers, without exception, has a high chemical resistance, equate to the European class AA, which corresponds to no visible changes in appearance after prolonged contact with aggressive media tiles. Among the most resistant to the acid can be identified Nebraska Naturale (Casalgrande Padana, Italy), Coral CL06 (Estima, Italy), Estima ST06 (Estima, Noginsk) and " Sugar " (Toprak, Turkey) - more than 98% acid resistance. High alkali resistance (97-98%) of ceramic tiles can be used in the care of them any detergents.
Basic New York
Floor tiles (Floor gres, Italy)
PURPOSE: finishing floors in bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms and public spaces, hospitals, schools, as well as in chemical laboratories.
SPECIFICATIONS
TILES: unglazed; the front surface of the multi-color - gray with light gray and black patches.
COMMODITY COMPOSITION: clay several varieties (including kaolin), sand, dyes.
Dimensions: 297h297 mm; thickness - 8.7 mm.
TEST RESULTS
APPEARANCE: on the front surface of the tile Basic New York were found repulsed, indentations, stains and other defects, nedopuskaet GOST. Lining material has the same structure and color of the entire volume.
Geometry: deviation of linear dimensions and form - within tolerance.
Water absorption: tests have shown that the production of porcelain stoneware Floor gres poorly absorbs moisture - at the level of 0.20%, so that is widely used for lining baths, showers and other sanitary facilities.
Flexural strength: this Italian tiles discovered one of the best strength characteristics of ceramic granite, among others - at a rate of 49.4 MPa 25 MPa - and the results of our comparative studies took second place.