On the ceramic tile

Everyone knows what a ceramic tile. It is durable, non-flammable, hygienic and easy to clean material. But did you know that the finishing material, having a thousand-year history, continues to evolve to this day. Artists and designers are working to present the "old" tiles in a completely new way: for example, tile "under the flooring", "under the Tuff" under other natural materials, as well as marble and mosaic tiles. And the use of glazed ceramic tile is still the most practical way to create a beautiful and water-repellent surface. Technical parameters of the tile. Water absorption of tiles depends on its porosity. The less water absorption, the more frost resistant to extremes of temperature, the strength of the tiles on the bend, and if the tiles are not glazed, it depends on the porosity and wear resistance, and resistance to stains. Water absorption is less than 0.5% occurs in granite, water absorption for wall tiles can be greater than for outdoor. Frost resistance of ceramic tiles and resistance to temperature, as mentioned above, depends on water absorption, frost resistant tiles are opting for facades and finishing the sidewalks and squares (mostly ceramic granite). Resistance to bending. Depends on water absorption (porosity) and the thickness of the tile. Surface hardness on the Mohs scale (Mohs) is verified by applying to the tile surface scratches natural minerals (hardness is known). The hardness of ceramic tiles can vary from 3 to 9 (the hardness of 10 has a diamond, a 9-corundum). Abrasion resistance is measured in units from I to V on the scale of PEI, respectively tile is divided into 5 groups. Checked "to wear" mainly floor tiles. Tile surface is treated with the composition of the metal chips, corundum powder and distilled water for 4 minutes at a certain speed (300 rpm), that is imitated by the strong depreciation. Tiles tested for resistance to aggressive liquids such as gidrohlornaya acid, potassium lye, household chemicals. If a tile marked "HH" - it is not exposed to chemicals. "A" - small changes and so on "B", "C" and "D". There are also tests for resistance to staining by dyes, the leachability of mud. Classification of ceramic tiles by the type of the original clay mixture, based on the mixture can be: - kaolin (white) clay has a particle size of less than 0,001 mm, high uniformity. As in Europe, very few data fields of clay, they are very expensive - montmorillonite (red) clays have a particle size 0,001-0,01 mm. The composition of the original mixture will depend on how much it would sound ceramics and the main technical parameters of tiles: the porosity and hence water absorption, consistency of the geometric dimensions, color dyes, etc. By way of forming: - pressing - powder mixture is compacted and the form of press under high pressure - Extrusion - a mixture of dough squeezed through the hole. This method allows to obtain various curved shapes. Tiles, manufactured by pressing, can be labeled (B), extruding - ("A"). In terms of the glaze: - glazed - on the surface of tile first to make a drawing, and then a layer of glaze (smalt). At the heart of the glaze - a special glass that provides not only a beautiful appearance, but also high specifications tiles (hardness, wear resistance, water resistance); - unglazed tiles or no decorative graphics or coloring agents are added to the original mixture and thus created image . In shape and size: - square - square - various complex shapes. By purpose: ceramic tile is floor, wall, multi-purpose, decorative, border, exterior and special tiles for swimming pools. The main types of ceramic tile Dvuhobzhigovaya ceramic tile is produced by compressing a mixture of clay and firing it with the further application of glaze, followed by the second firing. The result is porous with low strength characteristics jets. Suitable only for interior decoration, in particular for wall coverings. Has a glossy or matte surface. Using this technology is, for example majolica (metlahskaya tile) and tile kottoforte (cottoforte). These types of tiles are made from red clay and covered with an opaque glaze. Majolica is used for lining the interior walls. Tile kottoforte mainly used for interior floors, but can be used for wall covering. Terral - for the production of this material is also used double firing technology, but uses a more expensive raw materials (white clay), which increases the technical specifications. Tile is white. On the surface of a drawing, and glazes. Terral used for walls indoors. Faience (white ceramic) as the name implies tiles are also made from white clay. The technology of double-fired, and then tile glazes. It is used for finishing interior floors. Odnoobzhigovaya ceramic tile (Monokottura) More modern technology: a clay mixture is pressed and then dried, causing the glaze, and then the process of roasting. As a result of tile subject of increased shrinkage, which makes it possible to use it for walls, floors, and some frost-resistant species and for outdoor use. Water absorption of such tiles can range from 0 to 15%. For the manufacture of tiles are used both red and white clay. Most often, tiles, single fired has a matt non-slip surface, it is denser and heavier than dvuhobzhigovaya jets. Clinker is produced by mixing high-quality materials with the addition of coloring oxides and annealed clay. Finished weight extruded (punching through some form), and then fired at temperatures up to 1250oS. It turns tightly structured jets with high technical characteristics. Clinker does not absorb water, is easy for cleaning and maintenance, and resistant to changes in temperature, has high characteristics of resistance to mechanical stress, is not exposed to corrosive chemicals. Extrusion process allows the tiles with complex geometric shapes and then apply it, for example, building pools, stairs (corners, steps, gutters, caps, joints). Also, the clinker used for lining the floor indoors and outdoors, including at industrial sites. Cotto Tiles are usually not emaliruetsya and in the production process is subjected forming, drying and firing at temperatures up to 1110oS. The result is a porous structure as a traditional tile and complex geometric shapes (rhombus, hexagon). Characterized by resistance to compression and bending strength, low water absorption and abrasion resistance, increased durability, tiles are not exposed to corrosive chemicals. Cotto is mainly used for decorating interior floors. Ceramic granite Porcelain tiles - the most advanced technology in the production of ceramic tiles. Widespread use was in the early 80-ies, and one might say, is the apex in the development of ceramic tiles. In the production of porcelain mixture of high-quality kaolin, feldspar, quartz and natural dyes are pressed under very high pressure, dried and then fired at very high temperatures. The result is a non-porous vitrified monolith with a pattern throughout the depth. Scope of granite is very broad: from finishing to finishing of floors in manufacturing plants. Porcelain tile has a very low water absorption, and therefore can be used for cladding facades of buildings in different climatic zones. Due to high resistance to abrasion ceramic can be used in areas with high traffic count. He did not fade in the sun and is resistant to aggressive environments. Currently available ceramic all shades and colors: the color of the stone to simulate the leather and wood. Choice of ceramic tile How do you find in all the diversity that is necessary to you? Choice of ceramic tile depends on the location of its application. We can help you select a tile, depending on the anticipated operating conditions. If you need tiles for outdoor use, of course, you choose a frost resistant ceramic tiles. Legend AI or BI, said that this tile is frost resistant and suitable for outdoor use, the code AIII or BIII indicates that the tile is used for internal operations. Ceramic granite If you choose a floor tile, you should pay attention to the group on the durability (on a scale of PEI). - Group 1 (PEI I) - the least used in place of private homes, such as bedrooms, bathrooms. - Group 2 (PEI II) - the room with little traffic, where the walking shoes in your home: floors in living rooms, bedrooms, baths, etc. - Group 3 (PEI III) - the room with the movement of average intensity, for example, hallways and kitchens of private homes, hotel rooms, hospital wards. - Group 4 (PEI IV) - places with heavy traffic, subject to moderate to severe abrasion, and for rooms that have direct contact with the street, such as stairs and hallways in homes, bars, restaurants and offices. - Group 5 (PEI V) - zones of increased permeability (supermarkets, train stations, airports), as well as industrial companies. If the floor will go not only into slippers when choosing ceramic tile you should also pay attention to the surface hardness. It is also important that small scratches will be visible on the shiny surface, but may not be noticeable on the matte. Floor tiles in the hallway, including, should be easily cleaned of dirt. Here you can also see that the dirt is less visible on dark surfaces with an inhomogeneous pattern. Floor tiles should have also qualities such as antiskolzkost. Tiles on the floor and walls, bathroom and kitchen should have high resistance to corrosion, as here on the tiles will increasingly affect detergent or cosmetics. Of course, you pay attention and look. High-quality tile has precise dimensions, right angles and smooth surface. If the tile glaze, pay attention to the same coloring glazed cover, no stains. With a variety of formats, the tiles can always choose what you want. For example, the format 10h10sm well will look on the walls of the kitchen. A laying on the floor tiles is very convenient "for parquet, format or 15h45sm 15h60sm. If we talk about new fashion trends in the world of ceramic tiles, it is, for example, play of textures of marble or stone. As well as the creation of "aged" surfaces, as if pierced by nature and time. Also in vogue combination of ceramic tiles with other materials (metal, glass, wood).