Tiles are products in the building and construction industry that are made of terracotta and ceramics, which are used in the carpentry stage of construction. Sometimes this product is also called artificial stone.
Different types of ceramic tiles
Tiles are divided into four general categories: wall tiles and floor tiles (ceramic), porcelain tiles and granite tiles. The basis of this division is the amount of water absorption and their use. Water absorption indicates the degree of porosity in the tile, and the higher the porosity, the greater the water absorption and the lower its strength. By increasing the baking temperature and pressing pressure, the porosity of the tile decreases. Water absorption in wall tiles is around 17-21%, in floor tiles around 5-7%, and in porcelain tiles below 0.5%.
Floor tile
Floor tile, which is also called ceramic in Iran, is always exposed to wear, impact and pressure due to the characteristics of the installation site. Therefore, they should have appropriate mechanical strength (more than 250 kg/cm2), high wear resistance and low water absorption. Therefore, they are usually baked at a higher temperature than wall tiles. Also, their thickness is more than the thickness of wall tiles.
Wall tile
Ordinary tiles or wall tiles refer to glazed tiles, whose bodies usually have high water absorption. For this reason, if they are exposed to moisture from a part that is not glazed, there is a problem of cracking for them, but their glazed surface is resistant to any moisture. In many factories, this product is produced with a brick or red body. But the products produced in some factories have a white body, which has a better effect after installation. Compared to floor tiles, these tiles have more porosity and therefore higher water absorption. Also, they have less mechanical strength, because according to the installation location, they do not need high mechanical strength.
Porcelain tile
Porcelain tile is a tile whose firing temperature is higher, and as a result, its strength is higher and its water absorption is lower, and it has better properties overall. This type of tiles are made from high-quality raw materials with a white body. This product has a very high resistance to breakage, wear and chemicals. Also, due to its low porosity and very low water absorption, it is also very resistant to freezing. Porcelain tiles can be installed in various places such as the floor, wall and exterior of the building, and its strength is more than 300 kg/cm2. The firing temperature of porcelain tiles is about 1200 degrees Celsius.
Granite tile
Unlike the two previously mentioned types, granite tile has no glaze and is very similar to porcelain tile, and like it, it is baked at a temperature of about 1200 degrees Celsius. This type of tile can be installed in all places and its strength is more than 500 kg/cm2. The formula of the granite tile body is also similar to the porcelain tile, with the difference that it has less water absorption (about 0.1%). Also, unlike porcelain tiles, it does not have a glaze coating and is polished in the final stages of production to create a shiny and polished surface. Granite tiles may be slightly stained due to the lack of glaze on their surface.
