4 point checklist for quality tiles

Ceramic body tiles are not as strong as vitrified body tiles. So, it is prone to quality issues. The most common issues are as under:

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Bending issue

absorb moisture and bend. It is difficult to fix a bent tile.

Reasons:
i) Due to improper temperature, a tile during the firing process.
ii) Due to improper pressure is given to raw biscuits (body).

Solutions:
i) Most wall factories keep little plus bend. Which settles to be flat in a few days after cooling down.
ii) Some European equipment companies make

After production, the ceramic body tends to. It is difficult to fix a bent tile.Reasons:i) Due to, a tile during the firing process.ii) Due tois given to raw biscuits (body).Solutions:i) Most wall factories keep little plus bend. Which settles to be flat in a few days after cooling down.ii) Some European equipment companies make DICO Planar . This helps to check flatness (bending). The factory just needs to enter the range of parameters. The planar machine will mark every single tile which goes beyond that limit.

Watermark issue

Reason:
Glaze surface is waterproof but what about the body? The ceramic body is more porous. Once you fix a tile, water can accumulate beneath the glaze layer. It gets locked-in. This leaves random watermarks on the surface & gives an ugly look to your walls.

Solution:
Most quality tiles factories, these days, use waterproof engobe beneath the glaze layer. So the tile body will absorb the water but the watermark will NOT visible. Remember you need to ask for a waterproof tile to get one!

Scratch issue

Reasons:
i) At the end of the kiln (out-table) tiles are sliding onto each other. Tiles are hot at this stage and prone to get deep scratches.
ii) During packing inside the boxes tiles can get scratches.

Solutions:
i) Apply backwash (a solution of calcium carbonate) during production on the backside of the tile. Small partials of this white powder give a smooth interface to avoid scratches.
ii) Connect the kiln out-table to the sizing area. This way tiles will not get deep scratches. Some factories like Coreal, Lavish, Colortile follow this practice to make good quality tiles.

Above quality issues, we can avoid in dull edge polishing issue if a factory is not watchful to the polishing area.

Scratches are more common on a glossy surface.Reasons:i) At the end of the kiln () tiles are sliding onto each other. Tiles are hot at this stage and prone to get deep scratches.ii)inside the boxes tiles can get scratches.Solutions:i)(a solution of calcium carbonate) during production on the backside of the tile. Small partials of this white powder give a smooth interface to avoid scratches.ii)to the sizing area. This way tiles will not get deep scratches. Some factories like Coreal, Lavish, Colortile follow this practice to make good quality tiles.Above quality issues, we can avoid in vitrified body tiles . But in the case of the vitrified body, we have seenissue if a factory is not watchful to the polishing area.

Dull edge polishing

Reason: Polished vitrified tiles pass through the polishing area. During this abrasive head moves on a tile surface from end-to-end. Some factories used to do sizing (rectification) BEFORE polishing. This caused some part of the edge left unpolished.

Solutions:
i) If they do sizing AFTER polishing this problem can be avoided to some extend.
ii) the polishing head movement area should be little more than then tile&#;s surface. This makes sure polishing heads give equal pressure at the edges. This minimizes the issue.

Special consideration for some type of tiles

For body polished tiles (soluble salt, double charge or full body) below points should be considered:

Whole quantity must be from a single batch. If this is not the case, you need to make sure at your end that the 2 batch tiles are NEVER laid on a single floor.

Least contamination on surface. As the name suggests they do polishing directly on tile body (without a glaze). Body polishing clears off the surface. But also exposes body contamination (black spots)

Ink-resistance. Glazed tiles are ink-proof. But it is not always true about body polished tiles.

How to make sure the right quality tiles are delivered?

Are you a buyer from India? Please give time to pay a visit to Morbi to check the goods which are ready to load. Remember to click the photo of the label on the boxes which says batch number and production date. Compare this information with the delivery of the tiles.

Are you an overseas buyer? Please appoint a person / company who deals in tiles quality checking (QC) at Morbi. After many people have started QC inspection agencies in Morbi. You can discuss with them and share your requirements. After the QC is done they will send you a comprehensive report of your ordered goods. If a manufacturer recommend you a QC person take that reference with grain of salt!

&#; and if things go wrong!

You did your best to make sure the factory send you right product. But after delivery realized there are inconsistencies in quality. Please don&#;t lay those tiles. Share with factory the pictures of label with batch number & production date. They should assist you in this matter.

Common questions about quality of Morbi tiles

Why some Morbi tiles are red-body whereas others are white-body? Is there a difference in quality?

First, let us answer the second question. From a quality perspective, there is no difference between red or white body. Years ago the red-body was widely used and some old factories still use red body clay as their parameters are set which they don&#;t want to disturb. New factories (mostly bigger size ones) are all using the white-body only.

Is it right that tiles of small (less known) companies are not up to the mark?

objectively and decide.

Remember one thing same machinery (press, kiln, polishing line, etc are from the same Chinese company). So there can&#;t be a huge difference in the products of two extremes. Even India&#;s top tile brands do OEM at these smaller factories!

Take this advice with a grain of salt though.

When it is about quality see yourself, analyzeand decide.Remember one thing all factories of Morbi use more or less the(press, kiln, polishing line, etc are from the same Chinese company). So there can&#;t be a huge difference in the products of two extremes. Even India&#;s top tile brands do OEM at these smaller factories!Take this advice with a grain of salt though.

What is the meaning of different grades labeled on tile boxes?

Unlike China, the grades of quality have different names as below:
Premium = 1st choice
Standard = 2nd choice
Commercial = 3rd choice

Is there a list of factories for the best quality tiles in town?

Have a checklist of quality parameters that YOU need. Give this list to a factory you trust at the time of price negotiation. Here are some

Apart from this, internal communication within a factory is also important. You can do nothing with this but

Quality issues can happen with any type of brand big or small. There is no connection with the perceived quality of a particular brand.

No. Such a list simply doesn&#;t exist as the quality is very much objective. Don&#;t rely on &#;Top 10 best tile brand&#; or similar articles.of quality parameters that YOU need. Give this list to a factory you trust at the time of price negotiation. Here are some price estimation tips for common Morbi tile sizes. In most of the case, the factory will follow the checklist and you will get what you need. If you fail to get across what exactly you need then it is you who will suffer the consequence.Apart from this, internal communication within a factory is also important. You can do nothing with this but select a well-managed tile factory Quality issues can happen with any type of brand big or small. There is no connection with the perceived quality of a particular brand.

If a factory provide lab test report / certificate then does it mean the quality is acceptable?

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But most quality issues are related to visible defects. Some of them are listed below&#;
&#; Shade variation
&#; Edge polishing is not proper
&#; glaze bubble
&#; black spots on white tiles (contamination)
&#; pinholes

For test reports few samples are submitted (generally 4 pieces) to a ceramic lab. One such needs to be controlled on-the-line at the sorting area.

So apart from reports, you need to check the sorting area of the factory and ask questions on how they mark the tiles for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd choice.

Test reports generally quantify the physical & chemical properties. All factories at Morbi use more or less the same machinery (press, kiln, polishing line) and also similar raw materials. So both these (physical & chemical) properties will be within the acceptable norms.But most quality issues are related to visible defects. Some of them are listed below&#;&#; Shade variation&#; Edge polishing is not proper&#; glaze bubble&#; black spots on white tiles (contamination)&#; pinholesFor test reports few samples are submitted (generally 4 pieces) to a ceramic lab. One such test report for 60×60 GVT tiles is uploaded here just for your reference. The physical & chemical properties accessed from such reports are valid for all products of that batch. But surface quality (listed above) can vary within a batch. Itat the sorting area.So apart from reports, you need to check the sorting area of the factory and ask questions on how they mark the tiles for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd choice.

Why some tiles have different shades in the same design?

This is called a shade variation issue. When you floor the tile sometimes you observe different shades even the tile is from the same design. To understand the problem first we need to understand that tiles polishing are 2 types&#;

&#; body tiles (soluble salt, double charge, full-body, twin charge, etc)
&#; glaze tiles (GVT tiles, ceramic wall or floor tiles)

There are always more chances of shade variation in body polishing tiles as the tile body is directly exposed to the surface. Many times in the same batch two shades are observed. For glazed tiles, shade variation can happen only in two different batches.

As an end-user, you first do a mock-up of the flooring. If the shade variation is observed take pictures and ask the supplier about it. Don&#;t fix the tiles in the same area (room) which is having shade variation.

Morbi tiles high Quality tiles

Govindsadaniya

Very useful information. This guided me how to select the floor tiles for my house. Thank you.

T K Rao

Dear Team,

Your website is very useful for ceramic industry. It gave solution of all the types of problem. I&#;ve some suggestion for your website. Please add some more content about ceramic science and improve some Graphics. Make it some attractive. After all it is very useful to ceramic industry. Make it

more popular.

Jaydeep Patel

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Three Practical Stone Tests You Should Know

In the world of natural stone, it can be a challenge to learn about all the different kinds of natural stone surfaces. If you have ever gone onto a slab yard to peruse the selection, you have seen just how many variations of stone are available. In this article, we will discuss three specific tests that can be very practical for natural stone professionals as well as natural stone owners. As we do, we will discuss some reasons why these tests are not only handy, but also very valuable.

Stone Scratch Test

The first test that we are going to discuss is the scratch test. This test is not unique to natural stone but it is extremely helpful in identifying a variety of stone materials. Why is that the case? Because sometimes two very different stones might look very much alike. However, the hardness is often times significantly different. And a scratch test is designed to determine how hard a stone is.

When Scratch Tests Are Needed

A scratch test is needed before you get the stone. Ideally before you even buy the slab you might want to either have one done or do the test yourself. Since the reason for the test is determine the hardness so you can confirm that the stone is correctly labeled, before you buy it is the best time. Finding out if you have a true quartzite can save you the time, money, and heartache of getting your countertop home only to learn that it is not actual quartzite at all.

How To Do A Scratch Test

Determining a stone's hardness hardness using a scratch test is pretty much just as it sounds. You scratch the stone using an instrument that has a predetermined hardness. In fact, companies sell scratch test kits designed for this purpose. You can do a Google search and find many online. Each tool has a measured hardness.

Begin by using a tool to try to scratch the surface of the stone. If it does not scratch the stone, move to harder tool. The tool highest number of tool that does not scratch the stone indicates how hard the stone is on the Mohs scale. Compare the actual hardness of the stone you test, with the known hardenss ratings of various materials and you can determine what the material actually is.

Natural Stone Water Test

Another test that comes in very handy for fabrication professionals and homeowners is the water test. This test is simply a measurement of how quickly a stone absorbs liquid. By testing the stone for "thirstiness", the tester learns whether the stone needs to be resealed.

Why Water Tests Are Practical

Water tests are very practical because there is a very important need to know a stone's absorption rate. Engineered stone, porcelain, and sintered stone surfaces are non-porous. However, a natural stone will "drink" liquid that gets on it.

Fabricators that are putting the initial seal on the stone perform a water test after treatments to determine when the stone is sealed well enough. Similarly, homeowners that are trying to determine whether their countertop needs to be resealed benefits from the results of water testing.

How To Do a Water Test

Performing a water test (or absorption test) is a simple process. All you do is simply pour some water on the surface of your natural stone. The faster the stone absorbs the water, the more it needs sealed. A key to protecting your natural stone is knowing when and how to treat it with granite and stone sealer. Keeping natural stone sealed can help them resist staining. checking your stone's absorption periodically is wise since various household liquids can breakdown the seal on a stone surface.

Stone Acid (Etch) Test

The third and final test that we will consider is the acid test; also called an etch test. This test is designed to tell you some very important information; information that you will want to know before investing in a high priced surface. An etch test has the purpose of indicating whether the stone under test contains calcium carbonate. This knowledge is valuable because of what it can help you do.

Why Do An Acid Test?

One of the primary reasons to do an acid test is to distinguish stones from each other. Just as the scratch test can help you find the hardness of an unknown stone, the acid test identifies the minerals in the stone. Thus, revealing what stone you are actually looking at. Some stone types have calcite, a crystallized form of calcium carbonate. Others do not contain this mineral. How the stone responds to the acidic liquid reveals what it is made of.

When used in conjunction with the scratch test, an acid test can help stone consumers differentiate stone types. For example marble and quartzite can sometimes be confused with one another because they look similar. This is important because of a common problem in stone labeling where marble is incorrectly labeled as quartzite.

How To Acid Test Stone

Performing an acid test is simple and effective. All you do is pour a small amount of acidic liquid (lemon juice or vinegar) on a small piece of the stone and wait a few minutes (up to 15 minutes). If the stone changes color or gets cloudy, Then the you have etched the stone. You will want to perform this test on a piece of scrap or in an inconspicuous area because if the stone etches, you will have a dull spot (if the stone is polished) or a dark spot. Etching can be 'removed' in a sense by using an etch remover on the discoloration. However, because of the nature of this type of discoloration it can take patience and a bit of "elbow grease" to correct it. So, if you do an etch test on a stone that is already installed, be sure you do it in an area that is not readily noticeable. And, you might want to have some etch remover on hand to correct the appearance after the test. Clearly, our recommendation is to do the test on a piece of scrap and not on an installed stone.

So there you have it. Three stone tests that can help you to assess not only the type of stone you have, but also whether your natural stone needs to be sealed. Having the ability to perform these revealing tests allows fabricators to verify stone types and prepare a slab for a customer if needed. So be sure you're familiar with hardness testing (scratch test), seal testing (water test), and etch testing (acid test). If you are, you'll be better equipped to prepare, maintain, and work with natural stone surfaces.

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