TEST ON TILES

Azaz Ahmed and Jehinder Singh

Department of Civil Engineering, Tezpur University, Napaam, Tezpur, Sonitpur, Assam, India

Tests on tiles used by manufacturers to state the physical properties of tiles are as follows

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES TEST METHOD

Water Absorption EN 99/ IS13630 Part 2/ ISO 10545-3

Modulus of Rupture EN 100/ IS13630 Part 6/ ISO 10545-4

Moisture Expansion EN 155/ IS13630 Part 3/ ISO 10545-10

Scratch Hardness of Surface EN 101/ IS13630 Part 13

Thermal Shock Resistance EN 104/ IS13630 Part 5/ ISO 10545-9

WATER ABSORPTION
as per IS 13630 (part 2)

DETERMINATION OF WATER ABSORPTION

THEORY

Water absorption
The increase in mass ( expressed as a percentage of the mass of the dry material ) of tiles
which after determination of the dry mass are placed under water, then boiled and,
afterwards, cooled during specified times while still completely immersed, taken out of the
water and reweighed after removing excess of water. When water absorption is less than 3
percent, the test has to be carried out in vacuum.

APPARATUS

1. A Drying Oven
Capable of operation at 110 ±5°C;

2. A Heating Apparatus
Constructed of suitable inert material, in which the boiling takes place.

3. A Source of Heat

4. A Balance
Accurate to 0.01 percent of the mass of a test specimen;

5. De-ionized or Distilled Water

6. A Desiccator 7. Chamois Leather

TEST SPECIMENS

1. A sample for each type of tile under test shall consist of 10 whole tiles.

2. If the proper surface area of each individual tile is greater than 0.04 m2, then only 5
whole tiles shall be used for the test.

3. When the mass of each individual tile is below 50 g, a sufficient number of tiles shall
be taken so that each test specimen reaches a mass of 50 g to 100 g.

4. Tiles with sides longer than 200 mm may be cut up, but all pieces shall be included in
the measurement. With polygonal and other non rectangular tiles, the lengths and
widths shall be those of the enclosing rectangles.

PROCEDURE

1. Dry the tiles in the oven at 110 & 5” C until constant mass is reached, that is, when
the difference between two successive weighing at intervals of 24 h is less than 0.1
percent.

2. Cool the tiles in the desiccators over silica gel or other suitable desiccant, but not an
acid, until cooled to ambient temperature.

3. Weigh each tile and record the results to the corresponding accuracy shown in Table 1

Table 1 Tile Mass : Accuracy of measurement

Mass of Tile (g) Accuracy of measurement
50 to 100 0.02
101 to 500 0.05
501 to 1000 0.25
1001 to 3000 0.50
Above 3000 1.00
 4. Place the tiles vertically, with no contact between them, in de-ionized or distilled
water in the heating apparatus so that there is a depth or 50 mm of water above and
below the tiles. Maintain the water level of 50 mm above the tiles throughout the test.

5. Heat the water until boiling and continue to boil for 2 h. Then remove the source of
heat and allow the tiles to cool, still completely immersed, for 4 h.

6. Prepare chamois leather by wetting and wringing out by hand. Place the chamois
leather on a flat surface and lightly dry each side of each tile in turn. Dab relief
surface with chamois leather.

7. Immediately after this procedure, weigh each tile and record the results to the same
accuracy as for the dry state ( Table 1 ).

EXPRESSION OF RESULTS

For each tile, calculate the water absorption as a percentage of the dry mass using the
expression.

𝑚𝑚2 − 𝑚𝑚1
× 100
𝑚𝑚1

Where
m1 = mass of the dry tile; and
m2 = mass of the wet tile.

The results shall be given to the first decimal place.

The average water absorption of the sample is calculated as the average of the individual
results.
TEST REPORT

The report shall contain the following

1. A description of the tiles;
2. The water absorption of each individual tile;
3. The average water absorption;
MODULUS OF RUPTURE
as per IS 13630 (part 6)

DETERMINATION OF MODULUS OF RUPTURE

PRINCIPLE

Determination of the modulus of rupture of a whole tile by means of three-point loading, the
central point being in contact with the proper surface of the tile;

APPARATUS

1. A Drying Oven
Capable of operation at 110 ± 5°C;

2. A Recording Gauge
Accurate to 2 percent;

3. Two Cylindrical Support Rods

It shall be made of metal and the parts in contact with the test specimen shall be covered with
rubber having a hardness of 50 ± 5 IRHD, measured in accordance with IS 3400 (Part
2):1995. One rod shall be slightly pivot-able (see Fig. 1) and the other shall be slightly
rotatable about its own axis (Table 1 for relevant dimensions).

4. A Central Cylindrical Rod

It shall be of the same diameter as the support rods and covered with a similar rubber, which
transmits the load F. This rod shall also be slightly pivot-able ( see Fig. 1 ), (Table 1 for
relevant dimensions ).
Table 1 Diameter of Rods, Thickness of Rubber and Length

FIG. 1 APPARATUS FOR MEASUREMENT OF MODULUS OF RUPTURE

FIG. 2 SECTION ACROSS MODULUS OF RUPTURE APPARATUS

TEST SPECIMENS

1. Whenever possible, whole tiles shall be tested. However, it may be necessary to cut
exceptionally large tiles (that is, those greater than 300 mm in length) and some non
rectangular shapes in order to fit them in the apparatus. Rectangular test specimens of
the largest possible size shall then be cut, having their centres coinciding with the
centres of the tiles.

2. In case of doubt, results obtained using whole tiles shall always be preferred to results
obtained with cut tiles.

3. The minimum number of test specimens for each sample is given in Table 2.

Table 2 Minimum Number of Test Specimens

PROCEDURE

1. If cut test specimens are to be measured, they are dried in the oven at 110 ± 5°C until
constant mass is reached, that is, when the difference between two successive
weighing at intervals of 24 h is less than 0.1 percent.

2. A test specimen is placed on the support rods, with the glazed or proper surface
uppermost so that the test specimen projects by the length l ( Table 1 and Fig. 2 )
beyond each support rod.
 3. The central rod is positioned equidistant between the support rods. The load is applied
evenly in such a way as to obtain a rate of increase of stress of 1 ± 0.2 N/mm2 per
second; the actual rate per second can be calculated by the expression given in
expression of results.

TEST REPORT

1. Only the results for test specimen that break within a central portion of length
equivalent to the diameter of the central rod shall be used to calculate the average
modulus of rupture.

2. A minimum of five acceptable results is necessary to calculate the average value.

3. If there are fewer than five acceptable results, a second sample shall be tested
consisting of double the number of tiles.

4. A minimum of ten acceptable results is then required to calculate the average value.
The modulus of rupture (δ), expressed in newtons per square millimetre, is calculated
by means of the expression
δ = 3FL/2 bh2

where,
i. F is the load required to break the tile (in N);
ii. L is the span of the support rods (in mm( see Fig. 2 );
iii. b is the width of the tile (in mm);
iv. h is the minimum thickness of the test specimen (in mm) measured
after test along the broken edge.

NOTE — The calculation of the modulus of rupture is based on a rectangular cross

section. In the case of tiles of variable thickness along the broken edge, approximate
results only are produced. The shallower the relief, the more exact is it possible to
make the approximations.
5. All the results are noted.

6. The average modulus of rupture of the sample is calculated as the average of the
acceptable results.
MOISTURE EXPANSION
as per IS 13630 (part 3)

DETERMINATION OF MOISTURE EXPANSION USING BOILING WATER

SCOPE

This standard covers a method of test for determining the moisture expansion of unglazed
tiles. It applies only to tiles having a water absorption greater than 6 percent.

MOISTURE EXPANSION USING BOILING WATER

The difference between the means of measurements made on test specimens before and after
subjecting them to boiling water; It is expressed as l/L, where l is the expansion after
treatment in boiling water and L is the initial length.

APPARATUS

1. A direct reading gauge with a minimum travel of 10 mm and an accuracy of at least

0.01 mm;

2. Reference bars of nickel steel ( invar ) of the approximate lengths of the test
specimens;

3. A kiln;

4. Vernier calipers or other suitable apparatus, for linear measurement to the nearest 0.5
mm;
 5. An apparatus for maintaining the test specimens in boiling de-ionized or distilled
water for 24h;

TEST SPECIMENS

1. A sample consists of seven whole tiles. A test specimen is cut from the
centre of each tile of the greatest possible length up to 100 mm with a
minimum width of 35 mm and the thickness that of the tile.

2. In the case of extruded tiles, the length of the test specimens shall be in
the direction of the extrusion.

3. The ends of the test specimens are prepared as required for the adopted
measuring device.

PROCEDURE

1. Refiring

1.1. If the test specimens becomes wet during cutting, they are kept for 24 h at room
temperature
1.2. Refire the test specimens in a kiln, with a temperature rise of 50oC/h and a 4h soak at
600°C.

1.3. The test specimens are allowed to cool inside the kiln for at least 20h, and removed
them when the temperature falls to 70°C and then kept at room temperature for at
least 20 h in a desiccator.

1.4. The test specimens are measured twice with 3h between measurements.
 1.5. The length of each test specimen is recorded relative to the length of the invar
reference bar, in order to eliminate possible variations of the measuring apparatus.
1.6. The initial length of each test specimen is determined to the nearest 0.5 mm.

2. Boiling Water Treatment

2.1. The test specimens are immersed in boiling water for 24 h consecutively, ensuring
that there is at least 50 mm height of water above and thet est specimens do not touch
each other or touch the base and sides.

2.2. The test specimens are removed and allow them to cool at room temperature,
measure them after 1 h and again after a further 3 h.

2.3. The measurements are recorded as in refiring.

EXPRESSION OF RESULTS

1. For each test specimen, determine the mean of the two measurements prior to treatment in
boiling water, the mean of the two measurements after boiling water treatment and then
determine the difference between the two mean values.

2. The moisture expansion, in mm/m, is calculated from l/L x 1000.

TEST REPORT

The report shall contain the following

4. A description of the tiles;
5. The moisture expansion of each test specimen;
SCRATCH HARDNESS OF SURFACE
as per IS 13630 (part 13)

DETERMINATION OF SCRATCH HARDNESS OF SURFACE ACCORDING TO

MOHS

PRINCIPLE
Determination of the scratch hardness on the Mohs’ scale by drawing minerals of defined
hardness by hand over the surface;

TEST MINERALS

Mineral Mohs’ Hardness

Talc 1
Gypsum 2
Calcite 3
Fluorspar 4
Apatite 5
Feldspar 6
Quartz 7
Topaz 8
Corundum 9
Diamond 10

TEST SPECIMENS

A minimum of three tiles are tested.

PROCEDURE

1. The tile under test is placed on a firm support with the glazed or proper surface
uppermost.

2. The surface to be tested is drawn upon by hand, using a sharp freshly-broken edge of
the reference material applying a uniform effort such that at the end of the test, it’s
edge or the tile surface is intact

3. The procedure is repeated four times with a sharp freshly-broken edge of the
reference mineral.

4. The procedure is repeated for each tile with each mineral that is necessary to obtain a
result.

5. The tiles are examined for scratches bt the naked eye or with the aid of spectacles, if
usually worn.

6. For each tile, the mineral of highest Mohs’ hardness that produces no more than one
scratch is noted

7. In the case of tiles having variable scratch hardness, the lowest Mohs’ hardness is
noted.

TEST REPORT

The test report contains

1. A description of the tiles, and
2. The Mohs’ hardness of each test specimen.
THERMAL SHOCK RESISTANCE
as per IS 13630 (part 5)

DETERMINATION OF RESISTANCE TO THERMAL SHOCK

PRINCIPLE

Determination of the resistance to thermal shock of a whole tile by cycling 10 times between
the temperature of cold water and a temperature just above that of boiling water.
Usually tests are carried out between 15oC and 105oC.

APPARATUS

Low-Temperature Bath

Through which cold water flows (15oC ± 5oC).

Testing with immersion

In the case of all the tiles having water absorption not greater than 10%, the bath is not
covered and is of sufficient depth to allow the tiles to be placed vertically and immersed
completely.

Testing without immersion

In the case of glazed tiles, a water absorption greater than 10%, the bath is covered with a 5
mm thick aluminum plate in such a manner that the water, direct towards the surface, is in
contact with the plate. Covering the aluminum plate is a layer of aluminum grains
approximately 5mm thick with diameters in the range of 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm.
An Oven

An Oven capable of operating at 105oC to 110oC;

TEST SPECIMENS

A minimum of five test specimens are to be used;

PROCEDURE

First the tiles are examined for visible defects by viewing them with the naked eye. All of the
test specimen should be free from defects at the commencement of the test.

For Testing with Immersion

In the case of low-porosity tiles having a water absorption not greater than 10% immense
then, vertically in cold water at 15oC ±5oC so that they are not in contact with each other.

For Testing without immersion

In the case of glazed tiles having water absorption greater than 10%, the glazed surface is
placed downwards in contact with the aluminum grains over the cold bath at 15 ±5oC.

For both procedures, after 5mins at the low temperature, the test specimens are immediately
removed to the oven and kept at 105oC to 100oC until a uniform temperature is achieved
(usually 20 mins), then immediately transferred back to the low temperature conditions.

The procedure is repeated 10 times.

The specimens are observed for visible defects

TEST REPORT

The test report contains

1. A description of the tiles;
2. Water absorption of the tiles;
3. Type of the test performed;
4. Number of test specimens with visible defects;