All about granite

Porcelain tiles - is a modern artificial decoration material, comes in the form of plates. Gres pocellanato (Italian), or ceramic granite, was born in Italy, wide application of this technology began in the early 80-ies. Currently, granite is the leader in decorative materials akin to the destination. Incorporating the properties of ceramic and natural stone on the performance characteristics, he exceeds them. In this granite can mimic any natural stone. Composition and production technology manufacturing process porcelain differs radically from the manufacture of ceramic tiles. Rather, ceramic granite can be called "synthetic stone." If you compare its composition with the composition of granite natural origin, we see that they are very similar: kaolin clay, feldspar, quartz inclusions. But even more interesting to compare the formation of natural stone and porcelain tiles - in both cases the formation of materials takes place under the influence of very high pressures and temperatures. The difference is that the production of porcelain tiles - a process accelerated and controlled. For the production of porcelain using the highest quality kaolin clay (this is a unique rock composed of very fine clay particles), silica sand, feldspar, and natural pigments. All this mass of raw material is pressed under high pressure (400-500 kg / cm), and then fired at temperatures up to 1300oS, at a temperature within the material occurs recrystallization components, which leads to the absence of any material inside the cavities and pores and the formation of vitrified monolith. Then subjected to semi-finished polishing or grinding. If the granite is polished to a high level of reflectivity, then this surface then any substance can be washed off with water or a chemical solution without a trace. If ceramic granite is polished - the surface will be rough. Externally, porcelain can be easily distinguished from other types of pottery, if you look at a cut tile, homogeneity of the material tells us that this is it. Unlike natural stone, granite surface cracks and large inclusions of other colors. Properties of granite hardness of raw granite on the Mohs scale (MOHS), is 8-9 units, and only such materials as diamond and corundum can scratch it. The hardness of polished porcelain tiles - 5-6 units. When using granite as the flooring important is its wear resistance (PEI scale of the figure shows the rate of loss of the working surface under the action of abrasive materials and provides for separation of the tiles on the classes I to V). Porcelain tiles can have a wear rate of II to V, depending on the type of surface treatment. That is, you can choose granite for any harsh environment. Due to the absence of any material inside the cavities and voids, water absorption of granite is about 0.05% (the rate for natural granite 0,5%). And as the water does not penetrate the material, ceramic possesses two important properties: frost (down to -50 ° C) and resistance to temperature extremes. Here stoneware no competition among related materials. And of course, porcelain - the best choice for outdoor decorating. And you can be confident in maintaining the appearance of the building or the track for decades. Another important indicator - the stability of the material to a corrosive environment, the only exception - hydrofluoric acid (HF). Of course, a consequence of monolithic granite is resistant to static and dynamic loads. Environmental Clean stoneware is no doubt, in contrast to natural granite, ceramic granite is not radioactive, even with strong heating it does not emit harmful substances, and the lack of moisture absorption and chemical inertness are guaranteed bakteriostatichnosti (do not breed fungi and bacteria). Types of ceramic granite. Color and pattern Monocolor - monochrome porcelain stoneware. The most common colors are: white, black, gray, shades of red, blue, green, yellow. Salt / pepper - ceramic flat color, with small black and bright patches, which are evenly distributed across the plate. The most common are shades of gray, green, blue, beige, pink flowers. Under granite - an imitation of natural granite. Mramorovidnym - stylized marble. Texture - porcelain with intricate designs, simulates different types of natural stone. Production Technology Single loading - «simple compression" - a simple homogeneous mass, subjected to single pressing. According to this technology produced the series "Monocolor", "salt / pepper" and "Granite". Double loading - «double pressing" - simple homogeneous initial mass undergoes compaction, and then this plate layer of a special heterogeneous mixture (2-4 mm), which forms on the surface of a picture, and re-pressing is performed. Using this technology produced a series of marble-like texture and ceramic granite. Full loading - «full compressing" - special non-homogeneous mass filling the entire volume of plates and to create certain complex patterns on the surface, is pressed once. Figure made using this technology is the same throughout the depth, and hence abrasion of the upper layer does not lead to a breach of the figure. According to this technology is textured porcelain tile. Matte surface finish - raw granite. Surface he has no shine, but he has a very high hardness (8-9 on a scale MOHS) and the lowest water absorption, which allows to exploit this type of granite in the harshest conditions. Polished - just past the stage of grinding (as opposed to polishing, and grinding, is used more "rough" abrasive material). Polished - the last full stage polishing (reflectivity 80%) and nedopolirovanny - past the stage of incomplete polishing (reflectivity 20%) is more capricious. When handling abrasive surface is disturbed structure of micropores, decreases wear and increases water absorption. Polished or glazed porcelain produced by drawing on the surface of the tiles before firing a layer of mineral salts. The surface is shiny, and its structure is not broken, and retains all performance. Glazed - covered with a special glaze porcelain. Dimensions of porcelain stoneware tiles thickness from 7 to 20 mm, the most widely used are the plate thickness of 10-14 mm. The choice of plate size is very large: from 5x5 cm to 120h180 cm, the most popular tile size: 20x20 cm, 30x30 cm, 40x40 cm, 60x60 cm, 30x60 cm, 60x90 cm Where applicable Spanish porcelain is not surprising that the material with remarkable properties for a short the term came to a leading position among the finishing materials. Ceramic granite is becoming more widely used, including the fact that each may choose the material with the desired properties: If you are interested in facing facades - Use only cold-resistant granite. Special use ceramic granite found when installing "ventilated facades". If you need a reliable floor, choose only the wear-resistant and acid-resistant ceramic. If you want to use granite for decoration - for you a huge variety of colors and patterns. Porcelain tiles are used not only in bathrooms or kitchens, but also in living rooms, conservatories. From granite countertops are made, window sills, countertops for kitchens, etc. So, today granite - your best choice for any space requiring facing materials with specially enhanced strength characteristics.