

The durability of the glazed surface is examined following the abrasion testing. ABRASION RESISTANCE (ASTM C1027-99 test method) Random (V4) – Considerable variation from tile to tile.Ĩ. High (V3) – Variation from tile to tile & within each tile. Medium (V2) – Color variation within each tile. Low (V1) – Consistent color within each tile and from tile to tile. Monochromatic (V0) – Very uniform, monochromatic color. This is a purely a cosmetic evaluation as to the consistency of the tile shades within a production lot. For aquatic venues, it is desired to have the greatest level of chemical resistance. In this test, sample tiles are placed in various chemical baths for 24 hours, rinsed and examined for surface damage. CHEMICAL RESISTANCE (ASTM C650-04 test method) These breaking values are for comparison purposes.Ħ.
POOL WATERFALL FREE
Properly installed tiles, with a supporting setting bed that is free of voids, will be able to support significantly greater loads. Your selection should be based upon the anticipated maximum loads. The test applies a force in pounds, to an unsupported tile until it breaks. BREAKING STRENGTH CERAMIC TILE (ASTM C648-04 test method)Ĭeramic floor tiles must be able to support the loads exerted upon them. A hardness of 7 or greater is usually recommended for commercial or outdoor applications.ĥ. A hardness of 5 is suitable for residential flooring. MOH’s scale 1- Talc (softest) to 10 Diamond (hardest). The surface is scratched and a MOH’s hardness rating assigned. The hardness of a tile’s surface will determine how it wears. For aquatic applications we want impervious pool tile materials.Ĥ.


Porcelain tile, by definition has a water absorption of less than 0.5%, making it frost proof as well.
POOL WATERFALL CRACK
You can see that any absorbed water will be detrimental in a freeze condition – the expansion of freezing water will crack the tiles. FROST RESISTANCE (ASTM C1026 test method)ĭirectly related to water absorption. Non-Vitreous: Tiles exhibiting more than 7.0%.ģ. Semi-Vitreous: Tiles exhibiting more than 3.0%, but not more than 7.0%. Vitreous: Tiles exhibiting more than 0.5%, but not more than 3.0%. Impervious: Tiles exhibiting 0.5% or less. The weight gain determines the percentage of absorption. Tiles are weighed dry and again after soaking in water. WATER ABSORPTION (ASTM C373-88 test method) Wet/dry locations, like aquatic locker rooms or moveable pool floors, may require ≥0.60 DCOF.Ģ. Industry standards generally accept ≥0.42 DCOF for commercial floor applications. This may not be of any concern underwater, but of grave concern on a pool deck or locker room floor. The higher the DCOF, the more slip resistant the surface. The outdated ASTM C1028 static test measured the SCOF.ĭCOF is the ratio of the force necessary to maintain sliding between two surfaces. COF is the ratio of forces necessary to initiate sliding between two surfaces. There are two types: Static (SCOF) and Dynamic (DCOF). COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION (COF – TCNA: DCOF Acutest test method). Read The 10 Most Important Things To Consider When Choosing Tile 10 Important Factors To Consider When Choosing Pool Tile Materials 1. Porcelain tiles are a sub-group of the broader ceramic tile group, to which these standards apply. This makes them much harder and denser than regular ceramic tiles. One important factor to consider, porcelain tiles are 50% feldspar and are fired at much higher temperatures than regular ceramic tiles.
