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THE STANDARDS FOR CERAMIC FLOOR AND WALL TILE
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WHY
A thorough knowledge of the characteristics and behaviour of ceramic floor and wall tile is a fundamental requisite in order to choose, lay and use them correctly. For this reason, the following summary is given of the European Norms, EN, lot-ceramic floor and wall tile, standards which the tile operator should know and use as all informative tool to aid in the evaluation of tile materials with which he must work.
The European Norms are in force in Europe for tile countries producing about 70% of the tile world production. Their importance and authority is moreover confirmed by the fact that EN Standards have been assumed as working drafts by ISO (International Standards Organization) for the preparation of World Norms lot-ceramic tile.
In the United States of America tile specifications are reported in ANSI A 137.1 - American National Standard Specifications for Ceramic Tile. In tile Table in the next page the correspondence is shown between EN and ASTM Standards, as far as test methods are concerned.
It is worthwhile to emphasize that the Standards on ceramic tile represent the basic reference in case of claims and controversies.
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WHAT
The European Standards deal with all types of ceramic floor and wall tile, dust-pressed and extruded, glazed and unglazed, all sizes and shapes, considered as being first quality tile. These standards can be subdivided as follows:
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1 general standard (the basic norm);
1 standard that establishes the methods for sampling the tile to be used in the various tests;
8 product standards: One for each group into which the tiles have been classified according to the water absorption and method of manufacture (shaping method). The various requirements that the tile belonging to each of the groups must fullfill are given in these standards;
13 standards establishing the testing methods to be used.
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TEST METHODS FOR CERAMIC TILE
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Europe
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USA
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Dimension and surface quality
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EN 98
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ASTM 499
ASTM 485
ASTM 502
ASTM 609
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Electrical properties
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ASTM C483
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Water absorption
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EN 99
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ASTM C373
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Modulus of rupture
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EN 100
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ASTM C648
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Scratch hardness
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EN 101
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Abrasion
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EN 102
EN 154
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ASTM C501
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Thermal expansion
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EN 103
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Thermal shock
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EN 104
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ASTM C484
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Crazing
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EN 105
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ASTM C424
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Frost resistance
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EN 202
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Moisture expansion
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EN 155
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Bond strength
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ASTM C482
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Chemical resistance
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EN 106
EN 122
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We thank Brady Tiles for their valuable assistance in the creation of this website.
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