CEN/TC 246/WG 4 - Agglomerated stones (JWG 229/246)

This document specifies requirements and appropriate test methods for slabs and cut-to-size products of agglomerated stone which are made for use as vanity and kitchen tops, or other similar use in furnishing (e.g. splash zone).
NOTE   "Agglomerated stones" are commercially termed "engineered-stones".
This document does not cover secondary operations including site installation.

This draft European Standard specifies characteristics and appropriate test methods for slabs and cut to size products (cut to size slabs, special pieces, treads and risers) of agglomerated stones, which are made for use as flooring and stairs in pedestrian areas for internal and external uses including those in enclosed public transport premises. It also provides for the assessment and verification of constancy of performance (AVCP) and marking of the products to the requirements of this draft European Standard.
This draft European Standard covers tactility but only for products the intended use of which requires this performance.
This draft European Standard does not cover visibility requirements. Rough slabs are excluded from the scope of this draft European Standard.
Products covered by the standards EN 15285, EN 13198, EN 13748 1 and EN 13748 2 are also excluded from the scope of the present European Standard.

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of flexural strength under a concentrated load (breaking resistance) of agglomerated stone flat products.

This European Standard specifies requirements and appropriate test methods for cladding slabs and tiles of agglomerated stone of length or width up to 3 500 mm which are made for use as internal and external wall finishes and are either fixed mechanically or glued by adhesive or mortar. It also provides provisions for the evaluation of conformity and marking of these products.
This standard does not cover cladding slabs and tiles of agglomerated stone used for internal and external ceiling finishes. In addition, it does not cover slabs and tiles of agglomerated stone intended to be used in suspended ceilings. Products covered by the standards EN 14992, EN 13198, EN 13748-1 and EN 13748-2 are also excluded from the scope of the present standard.

This European Standard specifies a method for determining the apparent density and water absorption of agglomerated stone products.

This European Standard covers the determination of DC insulation resistance, surface resistance and resistivity, and the corresponding electrical conductance and conductivity of specimens of agglomerated stone products conforming to the definition reported in EN 14618. These products are usually made by stone aggregates bound via either resin and filler or cement and water (paste components), or a mixture of polymer/cement and related addition (such as reinforcing fibres, electrically insulating/conducting fillers, etc.).
Resistivity/conductivity may also be used as an indirect measure of some properties of agglomerated stone products (see Annex A - informative).
Volume resistance and resistivity test method and the corresponding electrical conductance and conductivity of specimens of agglomerated stone products are also included (see Annex C - informative).

This European Standard specifies a method to assess possible modifications of agglomerated stones under the effect of sudden changes in temperature (thermal shock) by immersion in hot water.

This European Standard specifies a method to assess the effect of freeze/thaw cycles on agglomerated stones. It contains provisions for a technological test to be carried out to assess the effect of freeze/thaw cycles on the flexural strength characteristics of the stone.

This European Standard specifies the test method to be used for the determination of the dimensional stability and warping of agglomerated stones when in contact with water.
This European Standard applies to agglomerated stones to be installed by adhesive on walls and floors.
The test is mainly performed to classify the material according to the degree of sensitivity to water and to select a suitable adhesive for the correct laying of agglomerated stones.

This European Standard specifies a method for determining the abrasion resistance of agglomerated stone products.

This European Standard specifies a method for determining the chemical resistance and the resistance to stains of agglomerated stones (see EN 14618) with a polished surface after a prolonged contact with chemical materials.
NOTE   It is to be remembered that agglomerated stones containing calcium carbonate aggregates are sensitive to any acid attack.
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TC - Correction of flatness tolerance in Table 1

This European Standard specifies requirements and appropriate test methods for modular tiles of agglomerated stone which are made for use as flooring and stairs for internal and external uses, fixed by mortar or adhesives. It also provides for the evaluation of conformity and marking of the products to the requirements of this European Standard.
This European Standard is not applicable to terrazzo tiles covered by EN 13748-1 and EN 13748-2 (see Bibliography).

This document specifies methods for determining the dimensional characteristics (length, width, thickness, straightness of sides, rectangularity, surface flatness) and the surface quality of agglomerated stones modular tiles.

This document specifies a method for determining the impact resistance of agglomerated flat stone products.

The present document specifies a test method to determine the linear thermal expansion coefficient of agglomerated stones used for internal/external flooring or walling in building.

This European Standard specifies requirements for slabs and cut-to-size products of agglomerated stone which are made for use as vanity and kitchen tops, or other similar use in furnishing.

This European Standard specifies a test method to determine the breaking load at the dowel hole of agglomerated stones slabs used for cladding or lining in buildings.

This document specifies a method for determining the compressive strength of agglomerated stones.

This document specifies a method for determining the apparent density and water absorption of agglomerated stone products.

This test method covers the determination of dc insulation resistance, volume resistance and resistivity, as well as surface resistance and resistivity, and the corresponding electrical conductance and conductivity, of specimens of agglomerated stone products conforming to the definition reported in EN 14618. These products are usually made by stone aggregates bound via either resin and filler or cement and water (paste components) or a mixture of polymer/cement and related addition (such as reinforcing fibres, electrically insulating/conducting fillers, etc.). Resistivity/conductivity may be also used as an indirect measure of some properties of agglomerated stones products (see Annex A).

This document specifies a method for determining the abrasion resistance of agglomerated stone products.

This document specifies a method for determination of the chemical resistance and the resistance to stains of agglomerated stones (see prEN 14618) with polished surface after a prolonged contact with chemical materials.
NOTE   It is reminded that the agglomerated stone containing calcium carbonate aggregates are sensitive to any acid attack.

The document specifies a method to assess the effect of freeze/thaw cycles on agglomerated stones. The standard contains provision for technological test to assess the effect of freeze/thaw cycles on the flexural strength characteristic.

This document specifies a test method to determine the dimensional stability, intended as the evaluation of a deformation, towards a bearing plane, by prolonged contact with water, of agglomerated stones tiles used for flooring and cladding in building.
The test is mainly performed to select a suitable adhesive for the laying down operations.

This document specifies a method to assess possible modifications of agglomerated stones under the effect of sudden changes in temperature (thermal shock) by immersion in hot water.

This document specifies the terminology and classification of the agglomerated stone products. Agglomerated stone products are industrial products mainly made of hydraulic cement, resin or mixture of both, stones and other additions. They are industrially manufactured in geometrical shapes at a fixed plant by means of moulding techniques. They are put on the market in the form of dimensional shapes and cut to size material.
NOTE   All other products with resin concrete techniques (using common aggregates and not finalised to flooring, wall finishes and assimilated uses), like drainage channels, structural elements, etc., are excluded from the field of this standard.

This European Standard specifies a method for determination of flexural strength under a concentrated load (bending resistance) of agglomerated stone flat products.