Ceramic Tile Testing
Tests commonly performed on ceramic tile, including those for testing for compliance with ANSI A137.1 and ISO 13006 specifications:
ANSI A326.3: Dynamic Coefficient of Friction (DCOF)
ASTM C370: Moisture Expansion
ASTM C372: Linear Thermal Expansion
ASTM C373: Water Absorption
ASTM C424: Crazing Resistance
ASTM C482: Bond Strength
ASTM C484: Thermal Shock Resistance
ASTM C485, ASTM C499, ASTM C502: Warpage,
Facial & Thickness, Dimensions, and Wedging
ASTM C609: Light Reflectance Value & Small Color
Differences
ASTM C627: Robinson Floor Test
ASTM C648: Breaking Strength
ASTM C650: Chemical Resistance
ASTM C895: Lead & Cadmium Extracted from
Glazed Ceramic Tile
ASTM C1026: Freeze-Thaw
ASTM C1027: Surface Visible Abrasion
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ASTM C1028: Static Coefficient of Friction
ASTM C1243: Deep Abrasion
ASTM C1378: Staining Resistance
ASTM C1505: Modulus of Rupture
ASTM C1895: Mohs Scratch Hardness
DIN EN 16165 (formerly DIN 51130): German Ramp Test (R Classification)
ISO 10545-2: Warpage, Facial & Thickness
Dimensions, and Wedging
ISO 10545-3: Water Absorption
ISO 10545-4: M.O.R. & Breaking Strength
ISO 10545-5: Coefficient of Restitution
ISO 10545-6: Deep Abrasion Resistance
ISO 10545-7: Surface Abrasion Resistance
ISO 10545-8: Linear Thermal Expansion
ISO 10545-9: Thermal Shock Resistance
ISO 10545-10: Moisture Expansion
ISO 10545-11: Crazing Resistance
ISO 10545-13: Chemical Resistance
ISO 10545-14: Stain Resistance
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Porcelain Certification Program
Porcelain tile is defined by ANSI A137.1 as an impervious tile with a water absorption of 0.5% or less as measured by the ASTM C373 test method. There are, however, many instances in which tile not meeting this standard is advertised and sold as porcelain tile.
Marketplace confusion, installation problems and even liability concerns can result when non-porcelain tile is misrepresented in the marketplace.
Click here for more information about Porcelain Certification.
Microbiological Testing
Testing for microbiological properties of surface materials with and without antimicrobial coatings.
Tile Council of North America’s (TCNA) Product Performance Testing Laboratory has a long history of microbiological testing and research on ceramic tiles and other floor and wall coverings, including ground-breaking research on photocatalytic antimicrobial surfaces and the antimicrobial effects of various metal oxides in glazes.
Additionally, the lab has added antiviral testing to the list of services. Antiviral testing can be utilized to determine the survival rates/duration of viruses on different surface materials and the efficacy of common household cleaners to disinfect these surfaces.
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ISO 21702: Antiviral activity on plastics & other
non-porous surfaces
ISO 17721-1: Antibacterial activity of ceramic tile,
antibacterial agents
ISO 17721-2: Antibacterial activity of ceramic tile,
photocatalytic antibacterial agents
ISO 18061: Antiviral activity of photocatalytic
materials
ISO 18071: Antiviral activity of photocatalytic
materials under indoor lighting environment
ISO 22196: Antibacterial activity on plastics &
other non-porous surfaces
ASTM E3031: Antibacterial activity on ceramic
surfaces
ASTM E1428: Performance of antimicrobials in/on
polymeric solids against staining by
Streptomyces species (a pink stain organism)
ASTM G21: Resistance of synthetic polymeric
materials to fungi
ASTM G29: Algal resistance of polymeric films
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ISO 27447: Antibacterial activity of
semiconducting photocatalytic materials
ISO 22197: Air-purification performance of
semiconducting photocatalytic material
Part 1: Removal of nitric oxide
Part 2: Removal of acetaldehyde
Part 3: Removal of toluene
Part 4: Removal of formaldehyde
Part 5: Removal of methyl mercaptan
ISO 13125: Antifungal activity of semiconducting
photocatalytic materials
ISO 10678: Photocatalytic activity of surfaces in an
aqueous medium by degradation of methylene
blue
UNI 11259: Photocatalytic activity of hydraulic
binders – Rhodamine B
ISO 10993-5: Biological evaluation of medical
devices — Part 5: Tests for in vitro cytotoxicity
ASTM E1053: Practice to Assess Virucidal Activity of Chemicals Intended for Disinfection
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Dimension Stone Testing
Testing for compliance with multiple ASTM specifications for stone tile.
Additional installation related tests are also available.
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ANSI A326.3: Dynamic Coefficient of Friction (DCOF)
ASTM C97: Water Absorption & Bulk Specific Gravity
ASTM C99: Modulus of Rupture
ASTM C120: Flexural Strength for Slate
ASTM C121: Water Absorption for Slate
ASTM C170: Compressive Strength
ASTM C217: Standard Test Method for Weather
Resistance of Slate
ASTM C482: Bond Strength-Modified
ASTM C485, ASTM C499, ASTM C502: Warpage,
Facial & Thickness Dimensions, and Wedging
ASTM C627: Robinson Floor Test
ASTM C650: Chemical Resistance
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ASTM C666: High Cycle Freeze/Thaw Resistance
ASTM C880: Flexural Strength
ASTM C1352: Standard Test Method for Flexural
Modulus of Elasticity of Dimension Stone
ASTM C1353: Abrasion Resistance
ASTM C1354: Standard Test Method for Strength of
Individual Stone Anchorages in Dimension Stone
ASTM C1378: Staining Resistance
ASTM C1721: Petrographic Analysis of Dimension
Stone
ASTM C1895: Mohs Scratch Hardness
EN 14617-12: Dim. Stability Test for Moisture
Sensitivity of Stone
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Installation Materials Testing
Tests commonly performed on installation materials, including those for testing for compliance with ANSI A118 and ISO 13007 specifications:
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ANSI A118.1: Dry-Set Cement Mortar
ANSI A118.3: Chemical Res. Epoxy Mortar/Grout &
Epoxy Adhesive
ANSI A118.4: Modified Dry-Set Cement Mortar
ANSI A118.5: Chemical Resistant Furan
Mortar/Grout
ANSI A118.6: Standard Cement Grout
ANSI A118.7: High Performance Cement Grout
ANSI A118.9: Cementitious Backer Units
ANSI A118.10: Waterproof Membrane
ANSI A118.11: EGP Mortar
ANSI A118.12: Crack Isolation Membrane
ANSI A118.13: Sound Reduction Membrane
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ANSI A118.15: Improved Modified Dry-Set Cement
Mortar
ANSI A136.1: Organic Adhesive
ASTM C1708: Self-leveling Underlayment
ASTM C627: Robinson Floor Test
ASTM E96, Method A and E: Water Vapor
Transmission
ISO 13007-2: Cementitious Adhesives (C)
ISO 13007-2: Dispersion Adhesives (D)
ISO 13007-2: Reaction Resin Adhesives (R)
ISO 13007-4: Cementitious Grouts (CG)
ISO 13007-4: Reaction Resin Grouts (RG)
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Glass Tile Testing
Tests commonly performed on glass tile, including those for testing for compliance with ANSI A137.2 specifications:
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ANSI A137.2-7.6: Mounting Variation from Nominal
Joint Size
ANSI A137.2-7.7: Bond Strength
ANSI A137.2-7.8: Compressive Strength
ANSI A137.2-7.9: Thermal Shock Resistance
ANSI A326.3: Dynamic Coefficient of Friction (DCOF)
ASTM C372: Linear Thermal Expansion
ASTM C373: Water Absorption
ASTM C424: Crazing Resistance
ASTM C485, ASTM C499, ASTM C502: Warpage,
Facial & Thickness Dimensions, and Wedging
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ASTM C609: Light Reflectance Value & Small
Color Differences
ASTM C627: Robinson Floor Test
ASTM C648: Breaking Strength
ASTM C650: Chemical Resistance
ASTM C895: Lead & Cadmium Extracted from
Glazed Ceramic Tile
ASTM C1026: Freeze-Thaw
ASTM C1027: Surface Visible Abrasion
ASTM C1378: Staining Resistance
ASTM C1505: M.O.R. & Breaking Strength
ASTM C1895: Mohs Scratch Hardness
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Gauged Porcelain Tile Testing
Tests commonly performed on gauged porcelain tile 3.5 mm to 6.5 mm thick, including those for testing for compliance with ANSI A137.3 specifications:
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ANSI A137.3-Section 7.5: Bond Strength
ANSI A326.3: Dynamic Coefficient of Friction
(DCOF)
ASTM C370: Moisture Expansion
ASTM C372: Linear Thermal Expansion
ASTM C373: Water Absorption
ASTM C424: Crazing Resistance
ASTM C484: Thermal Shock Resistance
ASTM C499, ASTM C502: Facial & Thickness
Dimensions, and Wedging
ASTM C609: Light Reflectance Value & Small
Color Differences
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ASTM C627: Robinson Floor Test
ASTM C650: Chemical Resistance
ASTM C895: Lead & Cadmium Extracted from
Glazed Ceramic Tile
ASTM C1026: Freeze-Thaw
ASTM C1243: Deep Abrasion
ASTM C1378: Staining Resistance
ASTM C1505: Breaking Strength and Modulus
of Rupture (MOR)
ASTM C1895: Mohs Scratch Hardness
DIN EN 16165 (formerly DIN 51130): German Ramp
Test (R Classification)
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Gauged Porcelain Paver Testing
Tests commonly performed on gauged porcelain pavers with a thickness of 2 cm and greater, including those for testing for compliance with ANSI A137.3 specifications:
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ANSI A137.3 - Section 5.3.11: Compressive Strength
ANSI A137.3 - Section 8.5: Bond Strength
ANSI A137.3 - Section 8.6: Soft Body Impact
ANSI A137.3 - Section 8.7: Hard Body Impact
ANSI A326.3: Dynamic Coefficient of Friction
(DCOF)
ASTM C372: Linear Thermal Expansion
ASTM C373: Water Absorption
ASTM C424: Crazing Resistance
ASTM C484: Thermal Shock Resistance
ASTM C485, ASTM C499, ASTM C502: Warpage,
Facial and Thickness Dimensions, and Wedging
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ASTM C609: Light Reflectance Value & Small
Color DifferencesASTM C895: Lead & Cadmium Extracted from
Glazed Ceramic Tile
ASTM C650: Chemical Resistance
ASTM C1026: Freeze-Thaw
ASTM C1243: Deep Abrasion
ASTM C1378: Staining Resistance
ASTM C1505: Breaking Strength and Modulus
of Rupture (MOR)
ASTM C1895: Mohs Scratch Hardness
DIN EN 16165 (formerly DIN 51130): German Ramp
Test (R Classification)
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Sustainability Testing
Testing to determine if a product meets sustainable building requirements and is an environmentally responsible choice.
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ASTM C895: Lead & Cadmium Extracted from
Glazed Ceramic Tile
ASTM D5116: Determination of Organic Emissions
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ASTM E1980: Determination of Solar Reflectance
Index (SRI)
CA 01350: Testing of Volatile Organic Emissions,
Small-Scale Environmental Chamber
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Other Tests Offered by TCNA Lab
The TCNA Lab can test many other products/materials besides those listed above. Below are just a few of the many test methods available. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for pricing.
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Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
X-ray Diffraction (XRD)
X-ray Fluorescence (XRF)
Optical Microscopy
ASTM C1152: Acid-soluble Chloride in Mortar
and Concrete
ASTM C1218: Water-soluble Chloride in Mortar
and Concrete
ASTM C1584: Rate of Absorption of Water by
Hydraulic Cement Concretes
ASTM C1870: Falling Ball Impact
ASTM C1584: Rate of Absorption of Water by
Hydraulic Cement Concretes
ASTM C423: Acoustical Testing
ASTM D4327: Anions in Water by Suppressed
Ion Chromatography
ASTM D4458: Detection of Chloride Ions in Brackish
Water, Seawater, & Brines
ASTM C554: Standard Test Method for Crazing
Resistance of Fired Glazed Ceramic Whitewares
by a Thermal Shock Method
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ASTM D638: Tensile Strength
ASTM D6581: Ion Chromatography
ASTM E648: Critical Radiant Flux
ASTM E662: Smoke Density
ASTM E84: Surface Burning
UL – 94: Flammability
ASTM F970: Indentation Testing
ASTM F1292: Critical Fall Height
ASTM F2753: Rolling Load
DIN 18032: Rolling Load
EN 14617-2: Agglomerated Stone
– Flexural Strength
EN 14617-5: Agglomerated Stone
– Freeze/thaw Resistance
EN 14617-6: Agglomerated Stone
– Thermal Shock
EN 14617-9: Agglomerated Stone
– Impact Resistance
EN 14617-11: Agglomerated Stone
– Linear Thermal Expansion
EN 14617-15: Agglomerated Stone
– Compressive Strength
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Don't see the services you need?
Custom testing and testing of other hard surfaces available upon request.
If you don't see what you are looking for, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. TCNA has additional capabilities and will be pleased to discuss your needs for testing using other ASTM standards, or to develop and run tests unique to a customers' needs. For example, we have X-ray diffraction, SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), petrographic analysis, pore size characterization, and other sophisticated techniques available through our cooperative relationship with Clemson University. Call (864) 646-8453 to discuss the possibilities.
