Ceramic granite

Ceramic granite (or granite) has received widespread relatively recently - in the 80's. Today he is successfully compete with traditional outdoor materials: ceramic tile and natural stone. Porcelain tiles are produced from a mixture of two clays of high quality, with the addition of quartz, feldspar and natural colored pigments. Mass of raw material after preparation of the press in the forms |

Tiles on the floor, you can create real stone "rugs" under the pressure of 400-500 kg/cm2, and then are fired at 1200 - 1300 ° C. At this temperature inside the material is the restructuring of the components and they form a monolith on a number of performance characteristics superior to the natural stones. As a result of this process gives a very durable, non-porous material with a pattern throughout the entire depth. Natural stone, unlike granite, always has drawbacks, such as fractures, the presence of foreign inclusions, or cavities, radioactivity. Classification granite composition

Ceramic granite is dyed completely and partially dyed. In its production all the mass of tile subject pigmentation in preparation for firing, and the picture turns out the same throughout the thickness of the material. Therefore, homogeneous granite can be regarded as practically eternal material. Even many years service can not lead to an irreversible deterioration of the working surface, as abrasion of the upper layer does not lead to a breach of the figure.

Fully dyed (homogeneous) porcelain can be classified by type of pigment and color technology. The simplest and most economical is the granite with the color of "salt-pepper", so called because of resemblance with this mixture. Gres monochrome color are more expensive, since they are applied staining pigments containing salts of rare metals. These pigments are highly stable and do not change color even in direct sunlight.

The most expensive of the homogeneous ceramic granite - granite with simulated image of natural stone. When it is used for production several pigments, and the mixing process is laborious and requires strict compliance with the technology to preserve the homogeneity of the structure. Imitation is possible under any natural stone - from granite to marble, onyx and jasper. By homogeneous granite production can be attributed, though with some exaggeration, gres with additional inclusions. At the second pressing (or in the process of preparation masses) in the future product as a decoration and to give greater naturalness add pieces of smalt, natural marble sink, or small shellfish.

Partially dyed (heterogeneous) granite consists of two layers: a substrate and the pigmented layer. The substrate is typically manufactured standard colors "salt-pepper", and the upper layer is colored to a depth of several millimeters. Due to this the saving of expensive pigments, and the cost of finished goods is reduced. It is produced two-layer structure or by double-pressing (first substrate, and on top of it - pigmented layer) or by partial impregnation of the upper layer pigments raw mass supplied to the mold.

Classification by type of porcelain surface

For all types of granite, except glazed, there is a separation of ways of handling the external surface. Porcelain tiles can have different types of surfaces:

• matt (without treatment)
• polished
• polupolirovannaya (when combined with the polished texture of cleavage)
• polished or satin (such a surface is produced by drawing on a tile surface layer of mineral salts before firing. As a result, the surface acquires a kind of soft sheen, while its structure is not disturbed, and high performance are stored)
• structure (the structured porcelain tiles can have various types of surfaces. This can be, for example, the texture of "rock" and "tree", bas relief figures and absolutely pragmatic anti-slip notches for steps. usually raised surface granite formed at the stage of pressing of tiles, since the processing of already finished stoneware economically infeasible and also reduces the operating characteristics of the product).

The tiles of granite mimic any natural stone.

Polupolirovanny and polished granite has the worst performance compared to the matte.

The reason for this is that when polishing removed the thin top layer of the material. The distinct character of the process of sintering porcelain, this layer is much firmer and stronger internal array tiles.

To determine the relative hardness of materials is the scale of MOHS. It represents a set of 10 standard minerals arranged in ascending order of hardness: 1. Talc. 2. Gypsum. 3. Calcite. 4. Fluorite. 5. Apatite. 6. Orthoclase. 7. Quartz. 8. Topaz. 9. Corundum. 10. Almaz. The test material is compared with standard materials, the scratch method. Thus, the hardness is not exposed to additional processing matte porcelain - 8-9 units on the scale of MOHS, and polished - only 5-6 units. For comparison: the hardness of quartz sand - the main enemy tiles - no more than 7 units. Generally speaking, the floors of polished granite should not be laid in places where they are often in touch with sand and water. In the first case happens destruction of polishing, but in the second case can result in serious injuries - by ingestion of water on a polished granite it becomes almost as slippery as ice.

Wide choice of fascia tiles of various colors and shades can enhance the beauty of the basic background.

But polished granite is an excellent ornamental qualities. Its surface becomes a mirror shine, nothing rivals the natural stone. As polished natural stone, polished granite requires careful care: after laying it is necessary to process a special mastic, creating an additional protective layer, and periodically repeat this procedure.

Glazed porcelain

Glazed stoneware allowed to expand its decorative possibilities, This granite can simulate any natural stone, its pattern or texture of the cleavage.

Outwardly, this type of ceramic granite is practically indistinguishable from ordinary tiles: the same glaze on the substrate. The main difference is that the carrier base of the tile - porcelain: his performance is much higher. Without exaggeration we can say that in many areas of use it actively displaces the usual ceramic tiles (especially in those locations where a high wear resistance).

The properties of granite

Ceramic granite is characterized by very low water absorption - about 0,05%. This is the lowest among all the ceramic materials, and even lower than that of any natural stone. And most importantly - granite is very hard and improved resistance to abrasion. Depending on the type of surface treatment he may have durability index II to V. Durability is most important when using granite as the floor covering. Therefore, to places that provide intensive operation, you should choose matte porcelain with exponent PEIIV-V. For floors with low-pressure high strength is not required. Therefore, any surface that will not be subject to intense attack by natural abrasives, can be finished with polished granite and polupolirovannym. High strength, granite is the result of a monolithic material - a ceramic granite tiles are no weaknesses (cracks, cavities), which can not withstand the shock or static load. The tiles of granite obtained by distributing the load throughout the mass of material that ensures a far greater endurance than the natural stone.

Important properties of granite should include its resistance to aggressive media: it is indifferent as to organic substances (such as grease or solvents) and to strong acids and alkalis. The tiles of porcelain produced in a fairly wide range: from small plates 5 × 5 cm to the most popular of 20 × 20, 30 × 30, 40 × 40 cm, and large-format plates 60 × 60, 60 and 120 × 120 × 180 cm Porcelain tiles preferably ceramic tile in the case when you want sex with high durability. Furthermore, porcelain has a very high frost resistance and better suited for calculations of the floor area under the open sky (veranda, porch, open gallery, etc.).