Specification

Technical Specifications
Water Absorption - ASTM C373
Water absorption is the measurement of density, porosity and specific gravity of a
product. It is used as a tool for identifying structural properties of the body of tile,
which may be required to determine use in an application. Tiles are classified according
to water absorption percentages as follows:
Impervious tile: <.5%
Vitreous tile: >.5% - <3%
Semi-vitreous tile: >3% - <7%
Non-vitreous: >7% - <20%
Breaking Strength - ASTM C648
Breaking strength is measured by applying force to an unsupported portion of a tile
until breakage occurs. The results are expressed in lbf (pounds of force). This test
covers the determination of the breaking strength of glazed and unglazed porcelain
and ceramic floor tile, wall tile, mosaic, quarry tile and paver tile. Ceramic tiles used
on floors and walls must be able to withstand the expected load bearing capacity of
various installations and must meet >250lbf to be considered suitable for floor use.
Chemical Resistance - ASTM C650
The test is intended for tile that will be used for lavatories, food counters or similar
residential, commercial or medical installations. A tile sample is placed in continuous
contact with a variety of chemicals for 24 hours, rinsing the surface and then examining
the surface for visible variation. These results are typically measured as a pass or fail test.
Freeze Thaw Cycling - ASTM C1026
The freeze thaw cycle test measures the tile’s resistance to various stages of freeze
cycles. The first step involves soaking the tile in water using a vacuum method to
ensure its pores are properly saturated before it is subjected to freezing temperatures.
The tile is then monitored for failures. As water expands when it freezes, tiles that are
not suitable will show stress cracks or simply break apart. These results are typically
measured as a pass or fail test.
Abrasion Resistance - ASTM C1027
Abrasion resistance measures the visible surface abrasion of glazed porcelain and
ceramic, glazed quarry and glazed mosaic by subjecting the test specimen to a rotating
abrasion wheel. This test is monitored for failures aer a certain number of cycles.
Below is the classification for this test:
0: Wall use only- 100 rotations
I: Residential, light traffic- 150 rotations
II: Residential, medium to light traffic- 600 rotations
III: Residential, heavy traffic; Commercial, light traffic- 750-1,500 rotations
IV: Commercial, considerable traffic- 2,100-12,000 rotations
V: Commercial, heavy traffic- >12,000 rotations plus dye test
*Deep Abrasion ASTM C1243 must be used for unglazed products
Deep Abrasion Resistance - ASTM C1243
Deep Abrasion resistance measures the volume removed from an unglazed tile that is
subjected to a rotating abrasion wheel. Below is the classification for this test:
Class 1: Pressed, extruded, other with <0.50% water absorption - maximum loss 175mm3
Class 2: Pressed with >0.50%-3.0% water absorption - maximum loss 225mm3
Class 2: Extruded, other with >0.50%-3.0% water absorption - maximum loss 275mm3
Class 3: Pressed with >3.00%- 7.00% water absorption - maximum loss 345mm3
Class 3: Extruded, other with >3.00%- 7.00% water absorption - maximum loss 393mm3
Class 4: Extruded, other with >7.00%-20.00% water absorption - maximum loss 2,365mm3
Class 4: Pressed with >7.00%-20.00% water absorption - maximum loss no requirement
Scratch Hardness - MOHS Scale
Scratch hardness is the tile’s surface resistance to scratching by different minerals, the
soest being talc (1) and the hardest being diamond (10). The MOHS scale of hardness
is the most common method used to rank gemstones and minerals.