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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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