Ceramic Tile Breaking Strength

This test covers the determination of the breaking strength of glazed ceramic wall tile ceramic mosaic tile quarry tile and paver tile.

Ceramic tile breaking strength.

Not all ceramic and porcelain tiles are equally strong and durable. For ceramic porcelain stoneware floor tiles bending strength is the perfect indicator of mechanical strength. Breaking strength of its based on the 68 95 99 7 rule about what percent of its popular porcelain tile will have breaking strengths greater than 412 5 pounds per square inch. If you re looking at a break strength lower than that you can t use that tile on the floor.

A measurement of pounds required to cause a tile to break. Based on astm testing standards. In this test floor tiles are run through a machine that exerts loads on an unsupported 1 inch square area. It is associated to the force by which a tile responds when subjected to stress which can break it.

Breaking strength astm c648 force on an unsupported portion of tile until breakage occurs expressed in lbs. Ceramic tile laid over plywood is more susceptible to cracking due to the flexible nature of the plywood. As long as the tile does not break under 250 pounds of pressure the tile is considered to be compliant with these standards. Results given in pounds at which the tile broke in testing.

Based on the mohs hardness scale. A measurement of the resistance of a tile when scratched by ten reference materials gypsum fluorite quartz diamond etc. Most tiles meet the 250 pound minimum. The break strength of a tile is the amount of weight that it can withstand unsupported before it breaks.

As the plywood under the tiles flexes especially along floor joists the flexing can cause the floor tiles to crack. The ansi requires a break strength of at least 250 lbs. It states on the glazed wall tile chart that all glazed wall tiles should have an average breaking strength 125 lbf and with each tile tested having a minimum breaking strength of 100lbf. Some can withstand heavy foot traffic while others are only suitable for decorative wall installations.

It is a load limit value applied to three points which the ceramic or porcelain stoneware tile can bear without breaking. Most tiles comply with astm c648 breaking strength standards.