Porcelain tile, artificial stone appeared in the early 80's in Italy. Popularity gres porcellanato (Italian name granite) from consumers related to its properties, which are directly dependent on the composition, manufacturing technology and processing. On the composition of material similar to porcelain, the production technology specialists attribute it to a single fired tiles, and on the final properties and the beauty of it is comparable with natural stone. In the initial mixture of any porcelain includes several varieties of light, the so-called white clay, rich in kaolinite, quartz sand, feldspar, pigments - metal oxides, selenium, cadmium and other elements. All components are of natural origin and did not serve as a source of radiation. Shredded components are pressed under high pressure (45 MPa or 450 atm) in stamps, which can give the surface texture of stone, wood flooring and other materials. Then blanks of different sizes are sent to the firing at 1250 ° -1300 ° C. As it turns homogenous granite tiles, characterized by a uniform color throughout its thickness. Its easy to distinguish from the usual glazed ceramic tile, which has UTEL (body) is either red or white with different color of the surface. If a producer wants to create a thorough imitation of marble, travertine, wood, ceramic tile or a bright decor, without resorting to costly through-staining, tile glazed (smaltiruyut). Figure rolls or sprayed before baking. The result is two types of surfaces: a solid glassy crust that resembles an ordinary tile glaze or matte layer. In the first case of tiles is very similar to ceramic, the second paint penetrates UTEL. On the surface this tile is not distinguished from homogeneous, but the flip side it has a different color. After the furnace homogeneous or glazed ceramic usually has a matte surface. To get a variety of textures, smooth tile polish to a shine, and "rough" (as Stone) podpolirovyvayut to create an interesting texture that combines shiny and matte areas. In addition, ceramic rektifitsiruyut - cut edge (the edge) to get the exact size and get rid of mikroskolov after polishing. This allows you to put him as a rock, almost seamlessly. On sale found several types of gres porcellanato in various combinations: Matte, Polished, Semi, glazed, glazed, rectified. And they differ both in appearance and in some properties. In the process of firing the pressed tile body are processes of restructuring (the growth of crystals in the sintered mass). The result is a very dense, in fact, monolithic solid material with low porosity. It determines the main advantages of granite: low water absorption (less than 0,05%), frost resistance, resistance to chemicals. The final product is characterized by the dimensional stability, high hardness, strength, durability and color retention under the action of ultraviolet radiation. All properties are evaluated by international standards and are listed in product catalogs and on packaging. Water absorption and frost Ceramic granite has the lowest water absorption among all the ceramic materials. For comparison: the minimum value for the ceramic tile is 1% for granite - 0,46%, for marble - 0,11%, to porcelain - 0,01-0,05%. Artificial stone tiles can be installed anywhere: in the street, at home, in humid environments and even use the device for shower without the fear that it will fall off after rain or showers. But this does not mean that it should coat the bowl pool or roof of the cottage. The fact is that while manufacturers do collections basin porcelain white, or blue because of cost. Gres porcellanato just not able to replace the shingles on a sloping roof, but for facing flat porch or deck on the roof will do. Of course, there should be expansion joints every 2-3 m of water flow system (with a slope of at least 2 degrees), high-quality waterproofing and thorough grout. Low water absorption is reflected in the frost. Since moisture does not penetrate the material, the temperature is lowered to negative values ??formed ice crystals do not break the tile. Any ceramic frost (based on standardized tests) and able to withstand more than 50 cycles of freezing / thawing. Bending strength by this index granite is 3 times stronger than natural stone, a factor of 2 - Wall and in 1,5 times - ceramic floor tiles. According to the data given in the directories of manufacturers, its value ranges from 35 to 63 N/mm2 and an average of 50 N/mm2, which significantly exceeds the minimum acceptable level set for floor tiles - 27 N/mm2. Surface condition, color and texture have little effect on the bending strength. If the load on the material expected to big, then take a thicker tile (10-12 mm), smaller size, to bend his shoulder was minimal. High strength porcelain figures - is no reason for laying tile on not pre-prepared area. Requires carefully aligned (under the edges of the tiles should not be void), and sufficiently rigid base, and the adhesive composition should be laid evenly, without accumulation. Otherwise, pushing down on the tile, you can break off the edge. This happens sometimes on the stairs, where the veneer was originally uneven steps. Wear resistance keramogranitaotsenivaetsya on three criteria: hardness, resistance to surface wear and resistance to deep abrasion. The fact that not all granite has the highest wear resistance, as declared by manufacturers and sellers. Here, in fact, there is no single criterion, but "hard surface", which expresses the resistance to scratches and cuts. According to EN 101, on a scale of MOHS hardness of the material assigned to Class 1 to 10 (1 - talc, 5 - apatite, 9 - Corundum 10 - Diamond) after scratching one way or another mineral. Tiles should be rated 5 and above. It is important to understand that flooring is the main abrasive sand, which consists of quartz. Consequently, it is better if the tiles will have a hardness of more than 7 on the MOHS. Matt "Stone" has a hardness of 8-9, glazed - 5-7, polished - 5-6. In short, the claim that no granite is not afraid of scratches, does not correspond to reality. For example, if time does not wipe away the dirt in the entrance hall cottage, where the floors are faced with this kind of tile can leave traces. Zapolirovat them afterwards would be impossible. However, in apartments, where the sand, outside the "salt", usually remain on the mats at the entrance or on the staircase, polished porcelain tile is not damaged. Abrasion resistance - perhaps the most important property of cladding material. In the case of glazed tiles, whether a simple ceramic or porcelain tiles, to European Standard EN 154. The principle of testing for this standard is non-abrasive glaze roller corundum. If after 150 revolutions on the surface in the light of a special lamp did not reveal any traces of, tile is assigned the class of REI, after 600 revolutions - PEI II, after 1500 - PEI III. The value of PEI IV - stuff that does not damage the 1500 cycles. The highest rating - PEI V - give a tile that has stood more than 12000 rpm roller. For consumers in the rate of registered scope of glazed tiles, depending on the durability of the group: Group 1 (PEI I) - in areas where little movement is expected, and even in sneakers (for example, in bathrooms, bedrooms). Group 2 (PEI II) - the same thing, but a little better. Such tiles can also be laid in kitchens and hallways, stairways and balconies. Group 3 (PEI III) - this cover is suitable for the whole apartment, cottage, small offices, except in areas with high traffic, which are found only in hotel lobbies, stairwells of apartment buildings, etc. Group 4 (PEI IV) - recommended for use in areas with heavy traffic from medium to high. It's almost all the floors in homes, hotels, offices, including stairs and hallways, patios and balconies. Group 5 (PEI V) - ISO 10545 - Tile in this class can be used anywhere, in places with any traffic, even at the turnstiles at train stations. Resistance to abrasion determines the ability of enamel to resist high-cycle wear non-visible defects. Glazed porcelain tiles, as a rule, assign a class of PEI III to PEI V. Increasingly found tile fourth class, which is quite acceptable for installation in places with high traffic. General recommendations made by the exploitation of granite are as follows. Matt homogeneous porcelain tiles can be installed anywhere due to its superior durability and ruggedness. When selecting glazed kind of artificial stone should pay attention to the class of PEI. If it is lower than IV, the tile should not be laid in areas with high traffic. If PEI is IV or V, then in a private interior (and most of the public) do not have to worry about the durability of the material, although it is not worth putting it in a garage or technical area, which is still hardly anyone will appreciate the beautiful external data. It is easier to take less homogeneous tile exquisite type of "salt-pepper." It makes sense to immediately determine the order, whether in place, lined with polished granite, to get the sand that can damage it (somewhere in five years). Funds to restore the market does not exist! And the rest confidently use this kind of coverage for all surfaces, where they will not be exposed to the sand - a natural abrasive.
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