Tile

Ceramic tiles are ceramic plates, which are used as wall coverings and floor coverings in indoor as well as outdoor use. The term " tile ", etc. is also used for natural stone, glass, carpet to classify elements similar form. In Switzerland, it is called " platter ", while used in the written language mostly "plate " or " plate ". The term tile is more commonly used in the field of stove tiles and is in the parlance become rare.

• 3.1 earthenware
• 3.2 stoneware
• 3.3 stoneware
• 3.4 terracotta
• 3.5 clinker and clinker gap

• 4.1 Water absorption capacity
• 4.2 Abrasion resistance
• 4.3 Slip resistance
• 4.4 acid resistance
• 4.5 Effect of stains
• 4.6 Environmental aspects

• 6.1 Effect of stains
• 6.2 Impregnation of ceramic tiles
• 6.3 Factory remuneration

History

Ceramic comes from the Greek word for sound, " keramos " from. Clay minerals are formed from the predominantly fine-grained weathering products of feldspars, which were deposited with different admixtures. The composition of the clay, the preparation and the fire determine the color of unglazed ceramic material.

The first objects made of baked clay originated about 30,000 years ago, during the first ceramic vessels were created about 11,000 years ago in the Nile Delta. The first European ceramic industries were to be found in the Roman Empire: Red, glazed ceramic use, so-called Samian ware, was widespread throughout the Roman Empire. The typical red roof tiles have also been made ​​already in huge quantities. Floor tiles were already to be found in the lower middle class. The Roman underfloor heating systems based on ceramic and thus heat-resistant materials. The red color came through the controlled ventilation of the kiln. Black pottery was fired under exclusion of air and was relatively expensive, because it was very complicated to seal the kiln.

Ceramic tiles as wall covering has already been applied in ancient times in Egypt, Mesopotamia and Persia, especially in the Arab-Islamic architecture. With the Moors colored glazed tiles came to Spain and Portugal, where they are known as azulejos.

From the year 1000 we know the first non-Roman ceramic floor coverings in Germany. The trade routes of the Dutch, Spaniards and Italians spread the ceramics in Europe. However, the production was very laborious and expensive, as the technical knowledge of the Romans was lost for the industrial production.

In Western and Central Europe in the Middle Ages tiles were used primarily as floor covering and fireplace surround. These clay tiles were often provided with relief ornaments or it is loaded differently colored clay, so that was a two-color pattern. For the 15th and 16th centuries found mainly faience tiles from Italy, Spain and France mention. From there, the pottery came to Antwerp, which developed into a center of tile production 1520-1570. After the Treaty of Antwerp in 1609 was taken up in the Netherlands on the tile manufacturing. Although most of "Delft tiles " speaks, Delft losing as Tiles producer from 1650 to importance and is being replaced by factories in Rotterdam, Utrecht, Haarlem and Makkum. The blue-and- white Dutch tile panels and individual tiles gained such importance that they were even exported back to Portugal or to start up production of " azulejos in the Dutch fashion " stimulated. Also, northern Germany and Denmark imported wall tiles, were embellished with which often all offices ( pesel ). Accordingly far enough the image program of Bible tiles to navigation and hunting.

With the industrial revolution in the 19th century, the spread of ceramic flooring rose sharply. Initially as an extra income of the brickworks, was an independent industry. Today tiles are usually produced in highly automated factories. But there are still small scale producers who create custom ceramics in small batches.

Production

Raw material preparation

Since the beginnings of pottery production, the raw materials used have changed only slightly. Base is the material sound as the main ingredient. In this case, mixtures of various clay pits to be used depending on the application. In addition to sound include other mineral raw materials for formulation of a ceramic. The main aggregates are quartz, kaolin and feldspar. Depending on the purpose, inter alia, calcite, dolomite, fluorspar or fireclay be added. The art in the preparation is to be able to control, inter alia, the prevention of separation prior to shaping and the shrinkage behavior during firing. These factors depend to a large extent not only on the grain size, but above all of the grain shape from. The rounder the particles, the lower the resistance, the lower the shrinkage in return.

Shaping

Hand Shaped Ceramic tiles can be found today mostly only for terracotta or for special applications. In the modern ceramic manufacturing the extrusion method and the powder compression (also called dry pressing) applied. When extruding an endless belt as a single or double tiles (split brick ) is produced and then cut into tile size from a plastic ceramic material by extrusion. In the dry pressing process specially prepared ceramic powder is pressed under high pressure into molds and then fired.

All tiles have special pattern on the underside of the tile, creating a better mortar compound. During extrusion, it is always due to the process of longitudinal grooves, but can be deepened especially dovetailed even when pressing only simple patterns can be pressed.

A relatively new technique is the use of roller presses for large-format porcelain stoneware plates ( l > 300 cm). Here, the ceramic matrix between two axially moving roller is pressed. A pure powder press with plate sizes of more than 2 m would not be economical.

Colors

The color of unglazed ceramic tiles usually arises from coloring oxides. These oxides are either natural constituents of the raw materials (eg iron oxide, manganese dioxide, titanium dioxide), or they are mixed with the shards targeted.

For glazed ceramic, the surface is colored by one of the shards aufgetrageneGlasur. When monoporosa - process the glaze is applied before firing. When Biporosa - Methods of shards will only be fired, cooled, and burned with the glaze raw material again.

Types of ceramic wall and floor

Stoneware

As earthenware ( DIN EN 14411, group BIII, Annex K ) is defined as ceramics, whose " broken " after firing at 950-1150 ° C has a water absorption of more than 10 %. Advantage is the good workability and Dekorierungsfähigkeit. Due to the high porosity Stoneware is frost- resistant and stays on applications in indoor areas is limited. Here, the main application is the use as glazed wall tile.

In the manufacture of stoneware there are two methods. In the single-fired ( monoporosa ) is applied to the tile immediately after shaping liquid glaze. Then the tile is printed with a desired pattern. In the double firing ( Biporosa ) of the shards is fired first. Then the tile is glazed and printed and then fired again.

Stoneware

Stoneware is defined as a ceramic having a water absorption of less than 3%. Due to the low porosity of the material is frost resistant. Compared to the more porous earthenware stoneware has a higher density and better mechanical strength. Almost all tiles for heavy-duty applications, for example in industry, commerce or public areas are made ​​of unglazed stoneware. The slip resistance is set by the surface structure. Stoneware tiles with glaze are classical ceramics for floors. The technical properties of the glaze determine the abrasion resistance and slip resistance.

In contrast to the earthenware shards fired at 1150-1300 ° C. By the addition of fluorspar and other fluxes, the porosity can be decreased.

Porcelain stoneware

Stoneware ( FSZ) is characterized by a very low water absorption of less than 0.5%. It thus represents a further development of stoneware tiles, whose water absorption is less than 3 %. The production of DSC tiles is done by adding finely pressed processed ceramic raw materials with high proportions of quartz, feldspar and other fluxes under high pressure dry. Thereafter, the fragments, in a roller oven at high temperatures (1200 - 1300 ° C) baked.

Due to the high tensile strength and good wear characteristics DSC is commonly used in public and high wear areas. By appropriate surface structures, the slip resistance of R9 - R13 V4 are set.

At the beginning of the development only unglazed tiles were produced which have a high density sintered burning skin that is very stain resistant. This is not to be confused with the surface- dependent adhesion of dirt.

Polished FSZ has no closed surface. The pressing-and fire-related pores are opened by the removal of the so-called burning skin. Dirt penetrates into these pores area is usually bad removable. Depending on the manufacturer, this porosity is very different.

By applying different colored ceramic powders or by soluble salts unglazed DSC can be decorated differently. However, the variety of optics is limited. Therefore, it is made ​​increasingly glazed and printed DSC. This material offers the possibility to produce an enormous variety of decors. For example, a wide variety of stones, woods, fabrics, cork, leather etc. can be copied.

Glazed stoneware and glazed porcelain stoneware have a glass-like layer at the surface, which has a different resistance to abrasion than the shards. This is usually lower than that of the carrier material. The other properties, such as chemical resistance, slip resistance and scratch hardness can be very different depending on the type of surface.

Terracotta

Base material is limestone clay with strong "impurities " of quartz crumbs. We call this mixture also Tuscan shale. The sound obtained in the open pit is mixed with water and kneaded like dough. This is it, as in the preparation of Christmas shortbread cookies is rotated by a wolf and then extruded or dry - pressed. The rough surface is obtained after the drying process by the processing means of steel brushes. Alternatively, the base is pressed into wooden molds and dried in air. At a temperature of 950-1050 ° C and is then fired cotto 36 to 48 hours in an oven after drying. It is derived from the blue - gray tone by oxidation of the typical reddish colored Cotto. In this production method also embossing or patterns can be pressed into the fresh dough.

Clinker and clinker gap

Among the so-called heavy clay products include the classic clinker. Consisting of chamotte, feldspar and white or red firing clays (ie, the color is produced only by the fire ), they are like Cotto touched as dough and shaped by extrusion. If, in the drying, a residual moisture content of about three percent has been achieved, the hard tile is glazed or unglazed baked at 1200 ° C. To minimize deformation during firing, such panels are mainly manufactured as a split clinker in duplicate (back to back, connected by footbridges ), then baked together and separated or divided until after the fire.

High edge strength and resistance to water and frost let the clinkers are an ideal floor and wall covering for indoor and outdoor areas, as blindness which is glued in front of a brick with a brick mortar. The popular designation as " clinker wall " for each pre- walled wall shell is incorrect, this will be softer stones, even harder burned hole bricks used but only rarely ( and unfachgerecht ) clinker bricks, since such walls easily crack due to lack of mortar bond strength.

Clinker are mainly offered walkway coverings. It is unglazed clinker bricks. These are slip-resistant, water-resistant, frost -resistant and durable. They also change their color in use only a little dirty and barely, they get only a patina.

Criteria for the performance characteristics of

Tiles are mainly classified by their water absorption capacity, its frost resistance, its anti-slip properties and the stability of its surface against abrasion.

Ceramic tiles are divided into 1st and 2nd choice. Both optical and qualitative requirements of glaze, surface, dimensional accuracy and water intake are provided. Tiles with gross errors are often offered as a third choice, or go to the committee.

Water absorption capacity

In the European standard DIN EN 14411 Ceramic tiles are classified according to their water absorption capacity into five groups. The test is performed according to DIN EN ISO 10545th

Frost resistant and therefore suitable for outdoor use only tiles of groups Ia and Ib. Even tiles that are laid on protected covered areas such as balconies from precipitation, these groups must be assigned because they are not there, protected from frost. This does not mean that the tiles can not detach from the surface. This will depend on the overall construction.

Abrasion resistance

The theoretical stress on the glaze ( surface wear / abrasion) in the use is tested by a standardized test with a testing machine of American porcelain and enamel - Institut (PEI ) and divided into classes 0 to 5 according to DIN EN ISO 10545-7 (see adjacent table).

Addition of water and abrasives defined an artificial wear is determined. The result is a value that indicates what number of turns results in a visible change. These values ​​are then used for classification.

For unglazed ceramic tiles of deep abrasion is determined according to DIN EN ISO 10545-6. With fused and a special grinding wheel which is " incidental abrasion " measured. This means that the lower the value, the more wear- resistant is the ceramic.

Slip resistance

By testing the slip resistance in accordance with DIN 51130, classification is in R- values ​​. The higher the standing behind the "R" number, the slip-resistant and cleanable worse is the covering. As can be seen from the table, there is the assessment groups of R9 to R13. However, the BGR 181 of the professional associations shall not apply to floors in work areas, work areas and operating roads, where no slip- agents are expected. Umbrellas transport water, so it should always be made ​​to the BGR 181 consideration. In deviation from the BGR 181, the professional association and the labor inspectorate for each building project should be questioned in principle, since it may happen that both institutions can have different opinions. In areas where oily, get pasty or fibrous- tough substance on the floor, tiles may need to even have a " displacement space ". This is the displacement space for walking plane towards open cavity below the walking plane and is evaluated according to four V- classes. The V value indicates how much can accommodate at least cc liquid of the ground on a dm ².

A special form ceramics for wet barefoot areas. These surfaces are tested according to DIN 51097 and divided into groups according to the assessment GUV 26.17 A, B and C.

GUV 26.17 was replaced by GUV-I 8527 (flooring for wet barefoot areas ).

For the private sector, there are no guidelines. There, polished or glattglasierte ceramics are applicable. A private swimming pool and a private sauna but should be carried out according to the rules of the GUV 26.17 slip resistance for wet barefoot areas.

Are floor coverings with lower minimum slip resistance planned or built ( according to BGR 181/GUV 26.17 ), threaten damages or recourse in the event of an accident.

Acid resistance

The following standards shall apply to the acid resistance Application: DIN EN ISO 10545-13.

Stain resistance

Stain resistance is classified according to the following standard: DIN EN ISO 10545-14.

Ecological aspects

Ceramic tiles contained by the fire no room air-polluting, gas-emitting substances. When laying with a lime or cement mortar, the air is no longer loaded when the mixing water has evaporated.

Stoneware or glossy, glazed stoneware / earthenware have a very dense surface. Microbiological, allergens such as dust mites, house dust, fungus, etc., can almost not develop it and settle, but rather on and in the joints.

Stoneware is odorless by the non-existent capillarity and takes no water vapor.

When laying with reactive resins, which are acid resistant, lies next to a Ausdünstungsgefahr also a higher risk of microbiological contamination.

The radiation dose depends on the raw materials used. A hazard was previously mainly through the glazes. Sodium diuranate, also known as uranium glass and cobalt glazes have been greatly distressing. (Refer to radon exposure. )

Formats ( in Germany )

Until the 1970s dominated the wall tiles, the format 15 × 15 cm. Since then, an extremely large number of new formats has emerged. The tendency is towards ever larger tiles. Meanwhile tiles are offered with a size of 120 × 120 cm and beyond. The most common formats are today ( Sept. 2008), however, still between 25 × 33 and 30 × 90 cm with wall tiles / pottery as well as 33 × 33 and 45 × 90 cm in stoneware floor tiles / (fine). Due to the disproportionate increase in the Committee and complex manufacturing processes are larger formats, normalized to the price per square meter, more expensive.

In addition to large format tiles, Mosaic tiles are also common. This is referred to tiles in 1 × 1 cm to 10 × 10 cm.

Moreover, there are fittings for base training, borders, steps, corners etc. Also specific types of rails for connections to other floors, corners, etc. are available.

A distinction is made between the nominal dimension, the work size, the Koordinierungsmaß, the modular measurement and the actual size. The nominal size (eg 15 × 15 cm ) describes the tile size in cm, and under this name the tiles are traded. The work size is provided by the manufacturer measure of production and adds to the fugue to Koordinierungsmaß (C in mm). For example, a tile with the work size (W) of 247 × 197 × 5 mm, a Koordinierungsmaß of 250 × 200 mm → joint width 3 mm. The nominal size is 25 × 20 cm. The actual dimension describes, as the name says, the actual existing dimensions. These can vary slightly due to the manufacturing. The modular degree is equal to the Koordinierungsmaß, however, is based on a grid of 1M = 100 mm and always contains the specification for the joint thickness in conjunction with the work size. The tiles from this series are matched in length width thickness.

Of stains and cleaning of ceramic tiles

Stain resistance

The stain resistance of a ceramic is purely used material dependent. If the ceramic capillary, such as terracotta or earthenware then color- altering substances can feed, as opposed to glazed ceramics, and unpolished porcelain tiles, there can not collect substances.

The dirt adhesion is dependent only on the surface. The rougher the wear layer, the higher the adhesion of dirt, or the cleaning effort. This is especially equipped with non-slip ceramic floor to see how it is used, for example, in kitchens or swimming pools.

Impregnation of ceramic tiles

For ceramic tiles impregnant ( silanes) are available on the market that are intended to reduce the sensitivity to staining. In unpolished porcelain stoneware or glazed ceramics necessary for efficacy penetration depth is not given. Therefore, there is usually no release of the ceramics manufacturer for impregnation in these types of ceramic. With polished porcelain stoneware, the surface is through the loops open and the fire and press -related pores are exposed. Then, an impregnation serve as a " placeholder". This is also true for unglazed stoneware or terracotta.

Superficial remains of impregnating agents have to " bind " the property of certain grime, such as carbon black from the rubber soles and tires.

Factory remuneration

Protection by impregnating treatments should not be confused with the factory mineral surface coatings, such as glazes or so-called engobe. These are burned into the surface and also reduce the adhesion of dirt. The micro-roughness is reduced by appropriate mineral " fillers ".

Mirror tiles

A tiling pattern is a " free-standing " wall covering that does not extend to the ground. Typical examples are rear walls of kitchenettes.