ISO/TC 189 - Ceramic tile

The objective of this document is to define a test method to determine the light reflectance value (LRV) of ceramic tiles, including mosaic tiles. It is applicable to solid-coloured, multicoloured and non-uniform shade tile surfaces including tile with flame effects, speckled or textured with different types of finishing.

This document specifies test methods for evaluating the antibacterial activity of glazed and unglazed ceramic tile surfaces with incorporated antibacterial agents. Secondary effects on ceramic tile surfaces due to antibacterial treatments, such as changes in chemical resistance, stain resistance or small colour differences, are not covered by this document. For chemical resistance refer to ISO 10545-13, for stain resistance refer to ISO 10545-14 and for colour differences refer to ISO 10545-16. Any results obtained with this document will always refer to this document and the conditions used. Results obtained with this document indicate antibacterial activity under the specified experimental conditions used herein, and do not reflect activity under other circumstances where a variety of factors, such as temperature, humidity, different bacterial species, nutrient conditions, etc., are considered.

This document specifies test methods for evaluating the antibacterial activity of glazed and unglazed ceramic tile surfaces with incorporated photocatalytic antibacterial agents. Secondary effects on ceramic tile surfaces due to photocatalytic antibacterial treatments, such as changes in chemical resistance, stain resistance or small colour differences, are not covered by this document. For chemical resistance refer to ISO 10545-13, for stain resistance refer to ISO 10545-14 and for colour differences refer to ISO 10545-16. Other types of performance of photocatalytic ceramics, i.e. decomposition of water contaminants, self-cleaning, antifogging and air purification, are not covered by this document. It is also not intended to be used to evaluate ceramic surfaces that have been treated with topical disinfectants or agents that can offer residual activity for limited periods. Any results obtained with this document will always refer to this document and the conditions used. Results obtained with this document indicate antibacterial activity under the specified experimental conditions used herein, and do not reflect activity under other circumstances where a variety of factors, such as temperature, humidity, different bacterial species, nutrient conditions, etc., are considered.

This document specifies a method for determining the moisture expansion of ceramic tiles.

This document specifies sustainability requirements together with assessment methods and evaluation schemes for ceramic tiles. This document includes relevant criteria across product life cycle from raw material through manufacturing, use and end-of-life management.

This document specifies a method for the determination of lead and cadmium given off by the ceramic tiles surface.

This document applies to all bonded sheet waterproofing membranes that are used beneath ceramic tiling for internal and external tile installations on walls and floors. This document provides the terminology concerning the products and specifies the test methods and the values of performance requirements for bonded sheet waterproofing products associated with tile adhesives. Furthermore, this document specifies the evaluation of conformity and the classification and designation of all bonded sheet waterproofing products beneath ceramic tiling. NOTE 1 Bonded sheet waterproofing products can also be used beneath other types of tiles (natural and agglomerated stones etc.), where they do not adversely affect these materials. NOTE 2 This document does not address crack isolation, decoupling, sound control, thermal properties, or any aspect of membranes apart from waterproofing.

This document specifies a test method for determining the modulus of rupture and breaking strength of all ceramic tiles. NOTE ISO 13006 provides property requirements for tiles and other useful information on these products.

This document specifies methods for determining the dimensional characteristics (length, width, thickness, straightness of sides, rectangularity, surface flatness) and the surface quality of ceramic tiles. Tiles with areas less than 4 cm2 are excluded from measurements of length, width, straightness of sides, rectangularity and surface flatness. NOTE Spacer lugs and glaze blobs and other irregularities of the sides are intended to be ignored when measuring length, width, straightness of sides, rectangularity, if these are subsequently hidden in the joints after fixing (installation).

This document defines terms and establishes classifications, characteristics and marking requirements for ceramic tiles of the best commercial quality (first quality). This document is not applicable to tiles made by other than normal processes of extrusion or dry pressing. It is not applicable to decorative accessories or trim such as edges, corners, skirting, capping, coves, beads, steps, curved tiles and other accessory pieces or mosaics (i.e. any piece that can fit into a square, the side of which is less than 7 cm). NOTE ISO 10545 (all parts) describes the test procedures required to determine the product characteristics listed in this document. ISO 10545 is a multi-part standard, each part describes a specific test procedure or related matter.

ISO 10545-3:2018 specifies a method for determining water absorption, apparent porosity, apparent relative density and bulk density of ceramic tiles. This method is applicable to classification of tiles and product specifications.

ISO 10545-13:2016 specifies a test method for determining the chemical resistance of ceramic tiles at room temperature. The method is applicable to all types of ceramic tiles.

ISO 14448:2016 specifies a quality standard and test methods for a low modulus adhesive composed of chemical reaction resins and used for the installation of tiles to exterior walls.

ISO 10545-14:2015 specifies a method for determining the resistance to stains of the proper surface of ceramic tiles.

ISO/TS 17870-2:2014 defines the quality of thin ceramic tiling and provides guidance for materials selection, installation, and use, to ensure that required levels of quality and performance are achieved. It considers all aspects related to the specification and installation of the tiling project, in terms of: manufacture and distribution of the materials (thin ceramic tiles and panels, adhesives, grouts, etc.); specification of the thin tiling; and installation of the tiling (thin tile fixing operations). It is applicable to internal and external thin ceramic floor and wall tiling, installed by adhesive methods.

ISO 13007-5:2015 gives terminology concerning the products, and specifies test methods (see Annex A) and values of performance requirements, for liquid-applied waterproofing products associated with tile adhesives. It specifies the evaluation of conformity and the classification and designation of liquid-applied waterproofing products beneath ceramic tiling. It is applicable to all liquid-applied waterproofing membranes ? including polymer modified cementitious coatings, dispersions and reaction resin coatings ? used beneath ceramic tiling for internal and external tile installations on walls and floors. NOTE Liquid-applied waterproofing products can also be used beneath other types of tiles (natural and agglomerated stones, etc.), as long as an adverse reaction does not occur between the membrane and the alternative tile.

ISO/TR 17870-1:2015 defines the quality of ceramic tiling and provides guidance for materials selection, installation and use, to achieve required levels of quality and performance. It considers aspects related to the specification and installation of the tiling project, in terms of: - manufacture and distribution of the materials (ceramic tiles, adhesives, grouts, etc.); - specification of the tiling; - installation of the tiling (tile fixing operations). It is applicable to internal and external floor and wall ceramic tiling, installed by either cement mortar or other adhesive methods. NOTE The quality of ceramic tiling depends on the following general characteristics: - regularity; - durability; - safety. The durability of the tiling can depend on its use and management.

ISO 10545-1:2014 specifies rules for batching, sampling, inspection, and acceptance/rejection of ceramic tiles.

ISO 10545-8:2014 defines a test method for determining the coefficient of linear thermal expansion of ceramic tiles.

ISO 13007-1:2014 applies to ceramic tile adhesives for internal and external tile installations on walls and floors. ISO 13007-1:2014 gives the terminology, concerning the products, working methods, application properties, etc., for ceramic tile adhesives ISO 13007-1:2014 specifies the values of performance requirements for all ceramic tile adhesives [cementitious (C), dispersion (D) and reaction resin (R) adhesives].

ISO 13007:2013 describes the methods for determining the characteristics for adhesives used in the installation of ceramic tiles. The following test methods are described: determination of open time; determination of slip; determination of shear adhesion strength; determination of tensile adhesion strength; determination of transverse deformation.

ISO 13007-4:2013 describes methods for determining characteristics for grouts used in the installation of ceramic tiles. The following test methods are described: -determination of flexural and compressive strength; -determination of water absorption; -determination of shrinkage; -determination of resistance to abrasion; -determination of transverse deformation; -determination of chemical resistance.

ISO 15045-9:2013 specifies a test method for determining the resistance to thermal shock of all ceramic tiles under normal conditions of use.

ISO 22196:2011 specifies a method of evaluating the antibacterial activity of antibacterial-treated plastics, and other non-porous, surfaces of products (including intermediate products). It is not intended to be used to evaluate the effects and propagation of bacteria on non-porous surfaces without antibacterial treatments. ISO 846 describes tests to evaluate the effects and propagation of bacteria on non-porous surfaces, which are different from those covered by ISO 22196. Secondary effects of antibacterial treatments, such as the prevention of biodeterioration and odour, are not covered by the standard, which is not intended to be used or referenced as a method to document or claim biodegradability of, for instance, plastics materials. Building materials are excluded, except where they are used in the same manner as treated articles. Antibacterial-treated textile products are excluded, even if the surfaces are coated or laminated (such products are covered by ISO 20743). Photocatalytic materials and products are excluded (such materials and products are covered by ISO 27447).

ISO 13007-3:2010 defines terms concerning the products, working methods and application properties for ceramic tile grouts. It specifies values of performance requirements for all ceramic tile grouts [cementitious (CG) and reaction resin (RG) grouts]. ISO 13007-3:2010 is applicable to ceramic tile grouts for internal and external tile installations on walls and floors.

ISO 10545-6:2010 specifies a test method for determining the resistance to deep abrasion of all unglazed ceramic tiles used for floor coverings.

ISO 10545-16:2010 describes a method for utilizing colour measuring instruments for quantifying the small colour differences between plain coloured ceramic tiles, which are designed to be of uniform and consistent colour. It permits the specification of a maximum acceptable value, which depends only on the closeness of match and not on the nature of the colour difference.

Gives a method for determining the resistance to surface abrasion of all glazed ceramic tiles used for floor covering.

Specifies a test method for determining the impact resistance of ceramic tiles by measuring the coefficient of restitution.

Specifies a method for determining the frost resistance of all ceramic tiles intended for use in freezing conditions in the presence of water.

Defines a test method for determining the crazing resistance of all glazed ceramic tiles except when the crazing is an inherent decorative feature of the product.

ISO 10545-4:2014 specifies a test method for determining the modulus of rupture and breaking strength of all ceramic tiles.

ISO 13006:2012 defines terms and establishes classifications, characteristics and marking requirements for ceramic tiles of the best commercial quality (first quality). ISO 13006:2012 is not applicable to tiles made by other than normal processes of extrusion or dry pressing. It is not applicable to decorative accessories or trim, such as edges, corners, skirting, capping, coves, beads, steps, curved tiles and other accessory pieces or mosaics (i.e. any piece that can fit into an area of 49 cm2).

ISO 13007-2:2010 describes methods for determining characteristics for adhesives used in the installation of ceramic tiles. The test methods described are determination of open time, determination of slip, determination of shear adhesion strength, determination of tensile adhesion strength, determination of transverse deformation and determination of chemical resistance.

ISO 13007-4:2010 describes methods for determining characteristics of grouts used in the installation of ceramic tiles. The test methods described are determination of flexural and compressive strength, determination of water absorption, determination of shrinkage, determination of resistance to abrasion, determination of transverse deformation and determination of chemical resistance.

ISO 13007-1:2010 defines terms concerning the products, working methods and application properties for ceramic tile adhesives. It specifies values of performance requirements for all ceramic tile adhesives [cementitious (C), dispersion (D) and reaction resin (R) adhesives]. ISO 13007-1:2010 is applicable to ceramic tile adhesives for internal and external tile installations on walls and floors.

ISO 13007-4:2005 specifies methods for determining characteristics for grouts used in the installation of ceramic tiles. The following test methods are described: determination of flexural and compressive strength; determination of water absorption; determination of shrinkage; determination of resistance to abrasion; determination of transverse deformation; and determination of chemical resistance.

ISO 13007-2:2005 specifies methods for determining characteristics for adhesives used in the installation of ceramic tiles. The following test methods are described: determination of open time; determination of slip; determination of shear adhesion strength; determination of tensile adhesion strength; determination of transverse deformation; and determination of chemical resistance.

ISO 13007-3:2004 is applicable to ceramic tile grouts for internal and external tile installations on walls and floors. ISO 13007-3:2004 establishes the terminology, concerning the products, working methods and application properties, etc. for ceramic tile grouts. ISO 13007-3:2004 specifies the values of performance requirements for all ceramic tile grouts [cementitious (CG) and reaction resin (RG) grouts]. ISO 13007-3:2004 does not contain criteria or recommendations for the design and installation of ceramic tiles.

ISO 13007-1:2004 applies to ceramic tile adhesives for internal and external tile installations on walls and floors. ISO 13007-1:2004 gives the terminology, concerning the products, working methods, application properties, etc., for ceramic tile adhesives. ISO 13007-1:2004 specifies the values of performance requirements for all ceramic tile adhesives [cementitious (C), dispersion (D) and reaction resin (R) adhesives]. ISO 13007-1:2004 does not contain criteria or recommendations for the design and installation of ceramic tiles.

ISO 10545-9:2004 specifies a test method for determining the resistance to thermal shock of all ceramic tiles under normal conditions of use.

ISO 10545-4:2004 specifies a test method for determining the modulus of rupture and breaking strength of all ceramic tiles.

Gives a method for determining the resistance to stains of the proper surface of ceramic tiles.

Specifies two methods for determining water absorption, apparent porosity, apparent relative density and bulk density of ceramic tiles. Impregnation is obtained by immersion into boiling water or by immersion under vacuum.

Contains a method for determining the moisture expansion of ceramic tiles by immersing a reheated tile into boiling water and measurement the proportional change in length.

Specifies rules for batching, sampling, inspection and acceptance/rejection of ceramic tiles.

Describes methods for determining the dimensional characteristics (length, width, thickness, straightness of sides, rectangularity, surface flatness) and the surface quality of ceramic tiles. Spacer lugs, glaze blobs and other irregularities shall be ignored.

Specifies a test method for determining the chemical resistance of ceramic tiles at room temperature. The method is applicable to all types of ceramic tiles.