Ceramic Tile Water Absorption Rate

Ceramic tile may be classified as having one of several different water absorption rates.
Ceramic tile water absorption rate. To test this the fired tile is first weighed then it is boiled for five hours and left to sit in water for 24 hours. Wet areas such as a shower or steam room should have porcelain tiles. Absorbent value less than 0 5 e g. Ceramic tiles label information label categories page 1 of 2.
The rating is calculated based on how much water the tile absorbs in relation to its weight. Water absorption w a a tile s rate of water absorption. Not suitable for outdoor use or for rooms. Weight of water absorbed as percentage of tile weight.
A tile s water absorption rating helps you determine if the tile is suitable for installation in your room. Rustic tile glass mosaics resin mosaic. Semi vitreous meaning it can absorb between 3 and 7 water. If you take the 2 tiles flip upside down and sprinkle water on them.
High absorption more than 7 water absorbed. Ceramic will absorb the moisture like a sponge but will only bead up on porcelain. Non vitreous meaning it can absorb more than 7 water. Ceramic tile that is fire glazed is 100 perfect for indoor floor use.
For exterior applications the selected tiles must have a very low water absorption rate as close to an impervious rating as possible especially in climates subjected to rainfall freezing and thawing cycles. Absorbent value between 0 5 3 e g. The water absorption rate is directly related with the suitability of the various types of tile for interior or exterior applications. Tiles can be differentiated according to their water absorption into 3 types as follow.
Absorbent value more than 3 e g. Umbrella shielding rain nonvitreous. However making the right choice requires finding out about their variouscharacteristics. Testing for water absorption determines the apparent porosity and relative density as a means to classify ceramic tiles according to the international standard iso13006 10545 98.
Vitreous meaning it can absorb only 0 5 water. According to china s national standards for testing tiles tiles according to the different water absorption divided into porcelain brick water absorption e 0 5 fine stoneware tile water absorption 3 e 6 stoneware brick water absorption 6 e 10 ceramic brick water absorption of 10 or more and so on. Then it is weighed again. A low water absorption rate also enables a tile to resist food or beverage stains.
Porcelain tile has a water absorption rate of 0 5 percent or lower as defined by the american society for testing and materials astm section c373. Ceramic tile water absorption rates and tips.