Decovita as a manufacturer with its latest technology, exporting porcelain tiles more than 50 countries including USA, UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain, and Russia…
We are making tests both in our factory laboratory and 3th party laboratories to exceed market standards.
3th Party Laboratories: We have adopted testing of both ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials Standards) by TCNA (Tile Council of North America) and EN ISO (European Union International Standards).
Water Absorption ASTM C373
This test method covers procedures for determining water absorption, bulk density, apparent porosity, and apparent specific gravity of non-tile fired unglazed white ware products, glazed
or unglazed ceramic tiles, and glass tiles. The water absorption, reported here, is expressed as a percent, the relationship of the mass of water absorbed to the mass of the dry specimen.
| Class |
Requirement |
| Impervious |
Water absorption less than or equal to 0.5% |
| Vitreous |
Water absorption more than 0.5 % and less than or equal to 3.0% |
| Semi-vitreous |
Water absorption more than 3.0 % and less than or equal to 7.0% |
| Non-vitreous |
Water absorption more than 7.0 % and less than or equal to 20.0% |
CHEMICAL RESISTANCE ASTM C650
This test method covers a procedure for determining whether, and to what degree, ceramic tiles are affected by prolonged exposure to chemical substances that are commonly in
the household or for cleaning purposes as well as other more severe conditions. This test method calls for one or more tests, each consisting of exposing flat pieces of ceramic tile to the action of a specific chemical substance for a definite period of time at a prescribed temperature.
| Class |
Maximum number of affected samples |
| Class A |
0 |
| Class B |
1 |
| Class C |
2 |
| Class D |
3 |
| Class E |
4 or more |
Breaking Strength ASTM C648
This test method covers the determination of the breaking strength of glazed ceramic wall tile, ceramic mosaic tile, quarry tile, and paver tile. The test method consists of supporting
the tile on the ends of three cylindrical rods, or on three ball bearings arranged in an equilateral triangle, and applying force at a definite rate to the center of the tile, until the specimen breaks.
| ANSI Standard |
Tile Type |
Specification |
| ANSI A 137.1 (Ceramic Tile) |
Porcelain Tile |
The average breaking strength shall be 275 lbf or greater with no individual specimen below 250 lbf |
Abrasion Resistance (PEI) ASTM C1027
This test method is designed to measure the resistance of tile surfaces to visible surface abrasion. Certain irregular surfaces may not be evaluated properly by this test method because of wear patterns. The abrasion resistance of tile surfaces is determined by rotation of an abrasive load on the surface and the assessment of the resultant wear by means of visual comparison of the abraded test specimens and non-abraded tiles.
| Class |
Explanation |
| Class 0 |
Not suitable for floors. (Defects detected after 100 Revolutions) |
| Class 1 |
Residential, light traffic. (Defects detected after 150 Revolutions) |
| Class 2 |
Residential, medium to light traffic. (Defects detected after 600 Revolutions) |
| Class 3 |
Residential, heavy traffic. Commercial, light traffic. (Defects detected after 750 , 1500 Revolutions) |
| Class 4 |
Commercial, considerable traffic. (Defects detected after 21000, 6000, 12000 Revolutions) |
| Class 5 |
Commercial, heavy traffic. (Defects detected after >12000 Revolutions) |
Stain Resistance ASTM C1378
This test method is intended to determine the resistance to staining of ceramic tile surfaces. The resistance to staining is determined by maintaining test solutions in contact with ceramic tile surfaces for a specified period of time. After exposure, the surface is cleaned in a defined manner, and the test specimens are inspected visually for change.
| Class |
Maximum number of samples that retain a stain |
| Class A |
0 |
| Class B |
1 |
| Class C |
2 |
| Class D |
3 |
| Class E |
4 or more |
Scratch Hardness (MOH’s Hardness Scale) ASTM C1895
This method covers the procedures to determine the Mohs scratch hardness of ceramic tile. The resistance to scratching is determined based on a visual observation of the ceramic tile surface after an attempt to scratch the surface using a pick of known hardness. The following minerals are used as standard:
1 – Talc
2 – Gypsum
3 – Calcite
4 – Fluorite
5 – Apatite
6 – Feldspar
7 – Quartz
8 – Topaz
9 – Corundum
10 – Diamond
Dimensions and Surface Quality ASTM C485
This test method provides a means for determining whether or not a lot of ceramic tile meets the warpage requirements that may appear in specifications to assure satisfactory tile installations. In accordance with this test method, warpage is calculated as a percentage of the length of the edge or diagonal being tested. It is realized that the percentage values based on the overall edge length, or on the overall diagonal length of a tile will be slightly lower than those based on the distance between reference points. However, the ratio of the overall lengths to the distance between reference points will be practically constant for any particular size of tile and, therefore, the percentage values will be comparable and equally indicative of warpage.
Dynamic Coefficient of Friction of Hard Surface Flooring Materials - DCOF - ANSI A326.3
Unless otherwise specified, hard surface flooring materials suitable for level interior spaces expected to be walked upon when wet with water shall have a wet DCOF of 0.42 or greater when tested using SBR sensor material and SLS solution as per this standard. However, hard surface flooring materials with a DCOF of 0.42 or greater are not necessarily suitable for all projects.
The specifier shall determine materials appropriate for specific project conditions, considering by way of example, but not in limitation, type of use, traffic, expected contaminants, expected maintenance, expected wear, and manufacturers’ guidelines and recommendations.”
| Slip Hazard |
Minimum DCOF BOT3000 AcuTest (Wet) |
| Dry & Level Interior |
Any |
| Wet & Level Interior |
≥ 0.42 |
| Exterior Applications, Oils, Pool Decking & Other Wet Areas with minimal footwear |
≥ 0.60 |
| Ramps & Inclines |
≥ 0.65 |
Resistance of Ceramic and Glass Tile to Freeze-Thaw Cycling ASTM C1026
This test method describes the procedures and equipment required to test either glazed or unglazed ceramic or glass tiles for resistance to repeated cycles of freezing and thawing. Tile of any size or shape may be tested by this test method. A designated test load of tile specimens is saturated with water prior to being placed face-up in a metal water-filled container inside a freezer. The water level is adjusted such that the tile specimens are partially submerged. A thermocouple is inserted into the bottom of
the metal container such that the water surrounding the thermocouple is the last location to freeze and thaw. Freezing is followed by a thawing cycle using water that flows over the test load. The number of freeze-thaw cycles is recorded and after 300 cycles, the test load is visually examined for damage and checked for total weight loss.
SHADE VARIATIONS
Variation in coloring is classified by the following.
| Class |
Explanation |
| V0 |
Very uniform, monochromatic color |
| V1 |
Consistent color within each tile and from tile to tile |
| V2 |
Color variation within each tile |
| V3 |
Some variation from tile to tile and within each tile |
| V4 |
Considerable variation from tile to tile |
Decovita factory quality control department regularly makes below tests in our factory laboratory.
- Dimensions and Surface Quality
- Water Absorption %
- Pallet and Box Control
- Resistance to Low Concentration of Acids and Alkalis
- Resistance to High Concentration of Acids and Alkalis
- Resistance to Household Chemicals and Swimming Pool Salts
- Resistance to Staining
- Surface Brightness Check
- Scratch Hardness (Mohs)
