Technical characteristics of porcelain stoneware
Porcelain stoneware has established itself as one of the most popular and widespread finishing materials globally, thanks to its exceptional technical and aesthetic characteristics. Its creation is the result of an advanced manufacturing process that combines high-quality natural raw materials, including white clays, kaolins, quartz sand, and feldspars. Selected pigments are added, creating surfaces with intense colors and precise hues, making each product visually unique and captivating.
The production process begins with mixing the raw materials, followed by extremely powerful pressing, reaching over 5,000 t/m². This phase gives the porcelain stoneware extraordinary compactness and strength. Subsequently, firing takes place in kilns at temperatures above 1250°C, essential conditions for developing the material's distinctive technical characteristics.
Thanks to the combination of high-intensity pressing and high-temperature firing, porcelain stoneware offers durability, wear resistance, and very low porosity. These qualities make it ideal for meeting everyday challenges, maintaining both its aesthetic beauty and functionality over time.
In short, porcelain stoneware represents an excellent choice, combining refined design with unparalleled technical performance, confirming itself as a versatile and long-lasting material for any environment.
Determination of slipperiness (R) - DIN 51130 Coloured mass and full body porcelain stoneware called UGLI The slipperiness coefficients indicated by the R value classify the products according to the specific needs of the intended uses, indicated in increasing order of danger, with particular reference to industrial and commercial environments.
Determination of slip resistance (R) - DIN 51097 Coloured mass and full body porcelain stoneware called UGLThis slip resistance is a procedure that establishes the conformity of the tiles for installation in areas where people walk barefoot such as swimming pools, wellness areas, changing rooms etc. and involves the safety and health of users of the ceramic flooring.
VSHADE - Tile Shade VariationBy “shade variation” we mean the chromatic and/or graphic surface variation that occurs between tiles of the same color in the same collection.
V1 – UNIFORM APPEARANCE The colour and graphic texture of the tiles is uniform, the differences between the various tiles are minimal and almost imperceptible."
V2 – MINIMAL VARIATION Differences in tone and texture are clearly visible, but the chromatic/graphic interplay occurs on a specific background color. The color of the tiles is essentially uniform, despite the presence of tone-on-tone nuances.
V3 – MODERATE VARIATION The colors and textures visible on a tile can only give a general indication of the resulting chromatic interplay. Thus, a barely visible color on one tile could be the dominant color on another tile in the same batch. The product is intentionally characterized by a moderate graphic variation due to the original veining of the natural materials, or produced to suggest vintage, worn, or particularly textured effects.
V4 – SUBSTANTIAL VARIATION The tiles can have completely different colors from one another, with a maximum degree of graphic variability. The overall play of colors on the installed surface is unique and original. The evident plays of contrasts describe the natural and cultural references from which the collections draw inspiration.
Dimensional characteristics - UNI EN ISO 10545-2 For which products: all
The dimensional characteristics of ceramic tiles are a set of parameters that identify their geometry. The UNI EN ISO 10545-2 standard requires:
1. Measurements relating to the sides:
- side dimensions and thickness;
- straightness of the edges: this is checked by verifying that the sides do not present any curvatures towards the outside or inside, in the plane of the tile;
- orthogonality: is checked by verifying that the sides of the tile are perpendicular to each other.
2. Flatness measurements:
- curvature of the center (distance of the center of the tile from the plane identified by 3 of the 4 corners);
- curvature of the edge (distance of the center of the edge from the plane on which 3 of the 4 corners lie).
Water Absorption - UNI EN ISO 10545-3 Absorption is the ability of a ceramic product to allow water to penetrate it. This phenomenon is of great importance for determining the mechanical characteristics and qualities of the product. Porcelain stoneware belongs to the BIa group, which identifies a water absorption value: EB < 0.5%. Resistance to Deep Abrasion - UNI EN ISO 10545-6 For which products: Colored body and full body porcelain stoneware called UGL. The test is performed on unglazed surfaces (UGL) to determine the amount of material removed following the action of an abrasive disc (150 revolutions). The lower the amount of material removed by the disc, the more resistant the ceramic product is. Flexural Strength - UNI EN ISO 10545-4 Flexural strength is a limit value of the load applied to three points that the tile can withstand without fracturing. The value is expressed in N/mm2. Porcelain stoneware belongs to the BIa group which identifies a minimum value of flexural strength: Rb > 35 N/mm2 S > 1300 N
   
ANGLE OF TILT - CLASSIFICATION - INTENDED USE
a<6° Not classified Domestic and commercial environments with internal access
6°≤a≤10° R9 Entrance areas and stairs with access from outside
10°≤a≤19° R10 Common areas with moderate humidity (bathrooms, garages), covered outdoor areas
19°≤a≤27° R11 Work environments, laboratories, with a strong presence of water, uncovered external areas
27°≤a≤35° R12 Work environments with the presence of slippery substances
>35° R13 Environments with a strong presence of oils and greases
ANGLE OF TILT - CLASSIFICATION - INTENDED USE
a<12° Unclassified. Domestic and commercial environments with internal access.
12°≤a≤18°. A Changing rooms, barefoot access areas, etc.
18°≤a≤24° B (A+B) Showers, poolsides, etc.
a≤24° C (A+B+C)" Sloping but underwater pool edges, submerged stairs, stagnant water areas
Deep abrasion resistance - UNI EN ISO 10545-6 For which products: Colored body and full-body porcelain stoneware called UGL. The test is performed on unglazed surfaces (UGL) to determine the amount of material removed by the action of an abrasive disc (150 rpm). The less material the disc removes, the more resistant the ceramic product becomes.
Flexural strength - UNI EN ISO 10545-4 Flexural strength is the limit value of the load applied to three points that the tile can withstand without breaking. The value is expressed in N/mm2. Porcelain stoneware belongs to the BIa group, which identifies a minimum value of flexural strength: Rb > 35 N/mm2 S > 1300 N
