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GLOSSARY OF TERMS AS RELATED TO
THE DRILLABILITY OF TILE

 

ABRASION RESISTANCE: The degree to which a floor tile's surface will withstand friction (the wear of foot traffic). Resistance is determined by abrasion tests, and tiles are grouped accordingly.

ABRASION RESISTANCE CLASSIFICATION: ASTM C-1027 describes the standard test method for determining visible abrasion resistance of glazed ceramic tile. The classifications are 0 thorough 5 sometimes referred to as the PEI Ratings See surface abrasion tests.

ANSI: American National Standard Institute, responsible for establishing standards and testing methods for ceramic tiles in the United States

ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials.

ASTM TESTS: There are two governing bodies that set standards. The first is The American Society for Testing and Materials. This is a 100 year old standard setting organization based in the United States. The ANSI Standards currently use ASTM Testing methods. The second governing body is the ISO Committee for Ceramic Tile this is a governing body setting European Standards. The ISO is using new testing methods developed in Europe. There are 16 tests referred to in the ANSI A137.1 specifications for tile. The three most important for drillability are:

C-501- Unglazed Surface Abrasion. The test subjects a sample of an unglazed tile to abrasive material while revolving the sample. The amount of material removed by weight is then measured.

C-648- Breaking Strength. A tile that is suspended on three points, is broken and the force required to break the tile is recorded.

C-1027- Surface Abrasion. This test is for glazed tile only. It is based on the P.E.I. rating system. A number of sample pieces are subjected to rotation with an abrasive material on their surface (contained in a cup). After a certain number of cycles a specimen is removed. This is repeated after eight subsequent rotations. The tile that shows no wear at 12,000 cycles is then subjected to a staining test. Each test piece is then compared to a new piece and if visible wear is seen in a viewing box, the tile is considered to have not passed that level.

BODY: The structural portion of a ceramic tile. The term also refers to the material or mixture from which the tile is made.

BREAKING STRENGTH: Physical property that indicates the tile's ability to withstand loads. ANSI A137.1 requires minimum strength of 250 lbs. for floor tile.

CERAMIC TILE: See definition for Tile.

GLAZED TILE: Tile with a fused impervious facial finish composed of ceramic materials fused to the body of the tile, which may be non-vitreous, vitreous or impervious.

GRADES: Grades of tile recognized in ANSI standard specifications for ceramic tile.

IMPACT RESISTANCE: Ability of ceramic tile to resist breakage - either throughout the body or as surface chipping - as the result of a heavy blow. In general, ceramic tile is not a resilient material, and care should be taken to avoid dropping heavy or sharp objects on its surface. Glazed tiles are more susceptible to surface chipping than unglazed tiles. International Standards are established for the impact resistance of ceramic tiles by measuring their coefficient of restitution (ISO 105455).

IMPERVIOUS TILE: Tile with water absorption of 0.5 percent or less. The surface of these tiles may be glazed or unglazed. Often specified for exterior installations. Also known as Fully Vitrified Stoneware or Porcelain Stoneware.

ISO: International Standards Organization, a worldwide federation of national standards bodies. ISO/TC 189 "Ceramic Tiles" has drafted international standards for ceramic tiles. ISO Standards will be used by tile manufacturers worldwide.

ISO STANDARDS: Standards established by the International Standards Organization to unify product standards and testing methods for ceramic tiles worldwide. These are the standards referred to in this dictionary.

MARBLE TILE: Marble cut into tiles, usually 3/8 inch to 3/4 inch thick. Available in various finishes, including polished, honed and split face.

MOHS' SCALE: Scale used to express the measure of a material's hardness. The hardness of a given material is determined by the ease of scratching one of its smooth surfaces with the sharp edge of a mineral of known hardness. In 1812 the Austrian mineralogist Friedrich Mohs proposed that ten relatively common minerals be used as a scale
(Mohs' scale of hardness), in order of increasing relative hardness:

1) Talc 6) Orthoclase 2) Gypsum 7) Quartz 3) Calcite 8) Topaz 4) Fluorite 9) Corundum 5) Apatite 10) Diamond

Some convenient test materials include: fingernail hardness =(2.5); copper coin =(3); steel knife blade= (5.5); and steel file =(7). The hardness of a mineral may also vary, depending on the direction of the scratch with respect to crystal orientation.

Each mineral can scratch those with a similar or lower number, but cannot scratch higher numbered minerals. Mohs Hardness test does not have an ASTM designation but is useful as it determines the hardness of the body and the glaze. Tiles rated 6 to 7 or higher are relatively scratch resistant and can be used on floors or countertops.

P.E.I.: (Porcelain Enamel Institute) An organization responsible for research, testing and analysis of ceramic materials in the United States. See Surface Abrasion Tests.

PORCELAIN TILE: A ceramic mosaic tile or a paver tile that is generally made by the dust-pressed method from a composition which results in a tile that is dense, impervious, fine grained and smooth, with a sharply formed face.

SURFACE ABRASION TEST: This test is for glazed tiles only. It is based on the P.E.I. rating system (Porcelain Enamel Institute) A number of sample tiles are subjected to rotation with an abrasive material on their surface (contained in a cup). After a pre-determined number of revolution cycles the specimen is removed. This is repeated for eight periods of cycle rotations; 100 rotations, 150,600,750,1500, 2100, 6000 and 12,000. The tile that shows no wear at 12,000 rotations is then subjected to a staining test. If it passes the stain test it is then classed as a grade V tile. Each piece is then compared in a viewing box to a new piece if there are no visible signs of wear it is considered to have passed to that level. There are six levels that can be achieved by this test method (0 to 5) 0 to V.

Class 0 - Decorative use only, not recommended for use on floors

Class I - Light traffic, for residential bathroom floors, no direct outside access

Class II - Medium - Light traffic, residential interiors with the exception of kitchens stairs, landings and areas near external entries

Class III - Medium - Heavy traffic, all residential applications. Commercial applications, which are similar in traffic to residential applications. Specifically excepted are areas of prevalent circulation or turning points.

Class IV - Heavy traffic, all residential and most commercial applications such as the public areas of exhibition halls, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, shops and schools

Class V - Extra heavy traffic, all residential and commercial applications similar to class IV where extra durability may be required. Commercial usage, industrial applications.

TCA: Tile Council of America.

TILE: A ceramic surfacing unit, usually relatively thin in relation to facial area, made from clay or a mixture or a mixture of clay and other ceramic materials called the body of the tile, and having either a glazed or unglazed face. Fired at a temperature sufficiently high enough to produce specific physical properties and characteristics.

VITREOUS TILE: Tile with water absorption of more than 0.5 percent, but not more than 3.0 percent.

VITRIFICATION: The condition resulting when kiln temperatures are sufficient to fuse grains and close pores of a clay product.

WATER ABSORPTION: The quantity of water a tile can absorb expressed as a percent of the dry tile weight. High water absorption corresponds to a porous structure, while compact, vitrified structures feature low water absorption. Water absorption is measured in accordance with ISO 10545-3.

THIS GLOSSARY WAS COMPILED FROM INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS.

CERAMIC TILE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
CERAMIC TILE INSTITUTE
CHICAGO TILE INSTITUTE
iFLOOR.com
ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION "Tiles of Italy"
NATIONAL TILE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
TILE COUNCIL OF AMERICA
LATICRETE INTERNATIONAL, INC.

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