Specification

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
WATER ABSORPTION
Water absorption is the measurement of density,
porosity and specific gravity as a tool for determining
the degree of maturation of a tile or for determining
structural properties that may be required for a given
application.
Tiles are classified according to water absorption
percentages as follows:
Impervious tile: < .5%
Vitreous tile: .5% - 3%
Semi-vitreous tile: 3% - 7%
Non-vitreous: > 7%
COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION – COF
COF defines the relative slip resistance of floor
surfaces, measuring the maximum force required to
initiate motion of a 50 pound weight. The horizontal
dynamometer pull meter and heel assemblies are
designed to determine the static coefficient of friction of
tile and like materials. Because many variables may
enter into the evaluation of slip resistance of a
particular surface, this test method is designed to
evaluate these surfaces under both laboratory and
actual site installation conditions.
The static coefficient of friction is determined under
both wet and dry conditions with Neolite heel
assemblies over both unprepared and prepared
(cleaned) test surfaces.
SCRATCH HARDNESS
Scratch hardness is the tile surface resistance to
scratching by different minerals, the softest being talc
(1) and the hardest diamond (10).
The MOHS scale of hardness is the most common
method used to rank gemstones and minerals
according to hardness. Because the MOHS scale is a
relative scale, the difference between the hardness of
a diamond and that of a ruby is much greater than the
difference in hardness between calcite and gypsum.
BREAKING STRENGTH
Breaking strength is defined as a force on an
unsupported portion of tile until breakage occurs and is
expressed in lbf. This test covers the determination of
the breaking strength of glazed ceramic wall tile,
ceramic mosaic tile, quarry tile, and paver tile. Ceramic
tiles used on floors and walls must be able to withstand
the expected load bearing capacity of various
installations.
CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
Chemical resistance is when tile samples are in
continuous contact with a variety of chemicals for 24
hours. The test is intended for tile that will be used for
lavatories, food counters or similar residential,
commercial or medical installations. A tile sample is
placed in continuous contact with a variety of chemicals
for 24 hours, rinsing the surface and then examining the
surface for visible variation.
ABRASION RESISTANCE
Abrasion resistance test measures the visible surface
abrasion of the tile during testing procedure. The test is
developed to measure the resistance of the tile’s surface
to surface abrasion. Below is the classification for this
test:
I: Residential, light traffic
II: Residential, medium to light traffic
III: Residential, heavy traffic, Commercial, light traffic
IV: Commercial, considerable traffic
V: Commercial, heavy traffic
SHADE VARIATION
Shade variation is the tile’s range from complete
inconsistency to a more random appearance. Below is an
overview of color and shading of individual tile selections.
V0 - Monochromatic - Very uniform, monochromatic color
V1 - Low - Consistent color within each tile and from tile to tile
V2 - Medium - Color variation within each tile
V3 - High - Some variation from tile to tile, and within each tile
V4 - Random - Considerable variation from tile to tile
V0 Very uniform appearance
V1 Uniform appearance
V2 Slight variation
V3 Moderate variation
V4 Substantial variation
T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N S