PORCELAIN STONEWARE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

UNI EN 14411(ISO 13006) - BIa (Appendix G) UGL

The fine porcelain stoneware tiles are manufactured using selected, extremely pure raw materials, submitted to the most advanced extraction and sorting techniques.

The resulting product is a top-quality fine porcelain stoneware obtained by raw materials wet grinding, followed by partial drying by spraying, silo storage to allow homogenisation of properties, and pressing by highly efficient hydraulic presses in order to achieve specific pressures of over 500 Kg/cm2. High pressure values will result in a ceramic body obtained after suitable heat treatment at temperatures of about 1250°C, characterised by high compaction and strength with very low water absorption (lower than 0.1% according to UNI EN ISO 10545-3), extremely high mechanical strength (average value exceeding 50 N/mm2 according to UNI EN ISO 10545-4). Fine porcelain stoneware, being a full body product, is characterised by a deep abrasion resistance (equal to 140 mm3 of removed material, as opposed to the 175 mm3 provided for by the UNI EN ISO 10545-6 standard); for this reason it is particularly suitable for heavy-traffic floors. Thanks to their low porosity, Cooperativa Ceramica d'Imola products are frost-proof and rated as belonging to the BIa (UGL) class according to the UNI EN 14411 European Standard (water absorption being lower than 0.5%).

Chemical acid and base resistance (UNI EN ISO 10545-13) makes porcelain stomeware items particularly suitable also for environments where aggressive products are used, such as chemicals, e.g. food processing factories, hospitals, chemical or pharmaceutical plants.The fine porcelain stoneware products are available in a wide range of sizes and surfaces (slip-proof rough finish also available). Products with a smooth finish, due to the polishing process, are thinner than the corresponding products with a rough finish, and even though water absorption is the same, they are harder to clean. Good results are anyway obtained by using the recommended cleaning agents (see «Maintenance directions» table). Should any cleaning problems arise, we suggest contacting our Technical Division.

LAYING RECOMMENDATIONS

Fine porcelain stoneware can be laid using traditional cement mortars, which have been suitable packed and conforming to the EN 12004 and EN 13888 standars. However, we advise using special adhesives for large size floor products and in any case for outdoor use. As for wall tiles, the two-layer spreading system is recommended to perfectly wet the back of the tile.

Even though not required, due to the nature of the product, quickly plunging each tile in water before laying, will avoid the risk of dust remaining on the back of the tile which may prevent perfect adhesion. Never wet the tiles when using vinyl, acrylic resin adhesives or two-component organic-solvent based adhesive. It is advisable to allow for suitable expansion joints when laying large floor tiles which should never be spaced more than 4-5 linear metres apart indoors and 3 linear metres a parts outdoors.

Finally, it is always advisable to check that strongly coloured grouting products do not cause any problems by leaving stains on the surface of the tiles that may prove difficult to remove afterwards, especially from honed products. It is good practice to carry out a test before starting on the grouting.

To facilitate future cleaning we recommend the use of acid based descaling detergents for the initial cleaning after laying and basic detergents of a surface-active base for ordinary maintenance.

After laying, and after having removed any course building site or joint residues, clean the floor with a specific acid based descaling detergent (normally a low concentration needs to be used 5-10% in water) with the eventual aid of a single-brush cleaner and liquid vacuum cleaner to remove any lime residues deriving from the mortars or adhesives.

The product may be used pure on any areas where there is widespread scaling or lime build-ups.

Spread the acid solution over the floor and leave it to work for a few minutes, using a mechanical cleaner where there is a concentration of dirt, then rinse the floor thoroughly with clean water and dry carefully.

Before cleaning, it is good practice to wet the floor joints with plenty of clean water as the use of highly aggressive acids could damage the floor.

Some examples of suitable detergents: Deterdek (Fila), Cement Remover (Faber), Keranet (Mapei), DeltaPlus (KeraKoll).