CTIOA


CERAMIC TILE INSTITUTE OF AMERICA, INC.

12061 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230-6219





CTIOA Field Report 82-1-2 (R-89)

SUBJECT: TESTING OF CERAMIC TILE ALLIED PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS

  1. INTRODUCTION

    1. Ceramic Tile Institute (CTI), and Ceramic Tile Institute of America (CrIOA), have developed a complete testing, program for ceramic tile, as a product prior to being installed; for allied products, such as adhesives, bonding mortars and grouts; for system sucli as performance levels and sound deadening.

    2. In order to combine the expertise of building officials, laboratory engineers and that of CTI and CRIOA personnel, recognition was sought from the International Conference of Building, Officials (ICBO). Over 15 years ago, ICBO designated Ceramic Tile Institute of America (CTIOA) as a Quality Control Agency. CRIOA as granted ICBO Report Mo. AA-519. A new application is evaluated and renewed every two years. The report declares "that the Ceramic Tile Institute of America, Los Angeles, California, be recolonized as Quality Control Agency for the testing and certification of ceramic tile, bonding agents and grouts". ICBO is also the sponsor of the Uniform Building (UBC) and its corollary, UBC Standards, where testing data of CTI and CTIOA have been used.

    3. Of equal importance to all organizations has been the cooperative work of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and CTI and CFIOA. CTI and CTIOA developed and engineered Standards for Ceramic Tile Shower Receptors and Ron-on Tubs. These standards have become part of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), Section 909. They are also included as installation standards, UPC IS2, and UPC IS4, which are appendix chapters to UPC.

  2. DISCUSSION

    1. ANSI A137.1, American National Standards Specifications for Ceramic Tile.

      1. This document sets the standards for testing basic types of ceramic tile, both glazed and unglazed, as a product prior to being installed. This includes quarry tile, ceramic mosaic tile, paver tile and glazed wall tile.

      2. The required tests are divided into non-destructive tests, including: thickness ... facial ... dimension ... spacers ... warpage ... wedging ... color ... uniformity ... electrical properties (when applicable) and destructive tests, including: water absorption ... crazing... thermal shock... bond strength ... breaking strength ... abrasive hardness.

      3. Through equipment available at independent testing laboratories, there is a capability of performing all tests to comply with American Society for Testing and Materials (AS = Standards for both non-destructive conditions. A listing of many of these follow, with page numbers in this manual listed below each.

C 368
(page 50)		 Standard Test Method for Impact Resistance of Ceramic Tableware
C 373
(page 58)		 Standard Method of Test for Water Absorption, Bulk Density. Apparent Porosity, and Apparent Specific Gravity of Fired Porous Whiteware Products.
C 424
(page 62)		 Standard Method of Test for Crazing Resistance of Fired Glazed Whitewares by Autoclave Treatment.
C 482
(page 63)		 Standard Method of Test for Bond Strength of Ceramic Tile to Portland Cement Mortar.
C 483
(page 68)		 Standard Method of Test for Electrical @Resistance of Conductive Ceramic Tile.
C 484
(Appendix)		 Standard Method of Test: for Thermal Shock Resistance of Glazed Ceramic Tile.
C 485
(page 69) 		Standard Method for measuring Warpage of Ceramic Tile.
C 499
(page 73) 		Standard Method of Test for Determining Facial Dimensions and Thickness of Flat, Rectangular Wall and Floor Tile.
C 501
(page 75)		 Standard Method of Test for Relative Resistance to Wear of Unglazed Ceramic Tile by the Taber Abraser.
C 502
(page 76)		 Standard Method of Test for Wedging of Flat, Rectangular Ceramic Wall and Floor Tile.
C 554
(page 78) 		Standard Test Method for Crazing Resistance of Fired Glazed Ceramic Whitewares by a Thermal Shock Method.
C 609
(page 82)		 Standard Method for Measurenmt of Small Color Differences between Ceramic Wall or Floor Tile.
C 648
(page 90)		 Standard Method of Test for Breaking Strength of Ceramic Tile.
C 650
(page 94)		 Standard Test Method for Resistance of Ceramic Tile to Chemical Substances.
C 1026
(page 115)		 Standard Test Method for Measuring the Resistance of Ceramic Tile to Freeze-Thaw cycling.
C 1027
(page 118) 		Standard Test Method for Determing Visible Abrasion Resistance of Glazed Ceramic Tile.
C 1028
(page 120)		 Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Static Codfficient of Friction of Ceramic Tile and Other like Surfaces by.