Objectives:

 Determination of apparent density and true density of ceramic tiles

 Determination of Porosity of the tiles

 Determination of Water Absorption of Ceramic Tiles

 Determination of Flexural strength (Modulus of Rupture) and Breaking strength.

Introduction:
According to the International organization for Standardization (ISO), any ceramic tiles will be
suitable for specific uses if a series of service requirements are met. So, to measure the suitability
of the ceramic tiles, following standard test is performed:

 Determination of apparent density, true density and porosity of ceramic tiles.

 Determination of Water Absorption

 Determination of Flexural strength and Breaking strength

Apparent Density:  The relationship between the mass and volume of the material, including
pores and water (apparent volume).

Mass( M )
ρ (Apparent)=
Volume(V )

True Density: The relationship between the mass and volume without considering the pores in
the material.

True density of tiles, ρ = (weight of tiles powder/volume of tiles powder)

Weight of tiles powder = (Weight of pycnometer + tiles powder)- weight of pycnometer

Volume of tiles powder = volume of pycnometer- volume of water

Volume of water =

(Weight of pycnometer + tiles powder+ water )−( Weight of pycnometer +tiles powder )
density of water

Porosity:

ρ(True)−ρ( Apparent)
ρ(True )
×100%

Porosity defines the ratio of the amount of water that the tile can contain to the weight of the tile.
Low degree of porosity is a desirable condition for ceramic materials. Low porosity indicates
good quality of ceramics.

Water Absorption:

It is measured by following equation:

[(m2- m1) /m1] *100

Here,
m1 = the mass of the dry tile
m2 = the mass of the wet tile.

Water absorption measures how much moisture a specific type of tile is likely to absorb on an
ongoing basis. Some types of tile may crack if the moisture penetration is too high. Usually, if
the tile has a low water absorption, like porcelain, the durability and strength are higher.

Flexural Strength and Breaking strength:

Flexural strength is the maximum bending stress that can be given to a material before it yields.
It is also called Modulus of Rupture (σ).

σ = 3FL/2bh2
Here,
F = Ultimate Force (in N)
L = span between the supporting rods (in mm)
b = width of the tile at the broken edge (in mm)
h = minimum thickness of the tile (in mm) measured along the broken edge.

Flexural strength is larger than tensile Strength. When a material is bent only the extreme fibers
are at the largest stress so, if those fibers are free from defects, the flexural strength will be
controlled by the strength of those intact 'fibers'. However, if the same material was subjected to
only tensile force, then all the fibers in the material are at the same stress and failure will initiate
when the weakest fiber reaches its limiting tensile stress.

Breaking strength (S) defines the maximum stress which causes failure of the material.

S = F×(L/b)

Here,

F = Ultimate Force (in N)

L = span between the supporting rods (in mm)
b = width of the tile at the broken edge (in mm)
Three point bent method was performed to determine Breaking strength and Flexural strength.
Figure.1: Loading system in the measurement of modulus of rupture and breaking strength.
(Three-point method)
Apparatus:

Density and Porosity:

I. Balance- Accurate to 0.01% of the mass of test specimen

II. Measuring scale
III. Pycnometer -50mL

Water Absorption:

I. Oven – capable of maintaining temp of about 1100c

II. Balance – accurate to 0.01% of the mass of test specimen

III. Water bath (Distilled water)

IV. Wire

Flexural Strength and Breaking Strength:

I. Measuring Scale
II. Tinius Olsen Machine

Experimental Procedure:
To perform the standard test, we have taken some necessary steps for sample (tiles) preparation.
The sample preparation includes:

 Proper measurement of length, width and thickness of the tiles.

 To check the rectangularity, straightness and surface flatness of the tiles.
 Measurement of the center curvature, edge curvature and warpage of the tiles
 Inspection of surface quality to avoid cracks, defects, nipped edges and corners.

After the preparation of sample tiles, we have performed the standard test on glazed and
unglazed tiles.
 1. Determination of Apparent Density, Bulk Density, Apparent porosity
and Water Absorption:

Apparent Density:

1) The weight and volume of the sample tiles were measured

2) The apparent density was calculated using the equation.

True Density:

1) A powdered sample was prepared by grinding the sample tiles. A pycnometer is used for
this experiment.
2) the weight of the empty pycnometer was measured.
3) Then the powdered sample was placed in the pycnometer and the weight is determined
4) Water was poured into pycnometer and again the weight is calculated.
5) The weight and volume of the tiles powder were calculated and true density was
determined.

Porosity:

Porosity was determined by following equation:

[ρ(true)-ρ(Apparent) ×100%] / ρ(true)

Water Absorption:

1) The sample tiles are brought to a constant weight through drying in the oven at 110±50C.
then they were cooled to room temperature
2) The mass of the sample was weighed and recorded in the observation sheet (m 1)
3) Then the tiles were placed to be boiled in a container of distilled water, in such a way that
they did not touch the bottom and are completely immersed.
4) Container was kept at boiling point for 30 minutes
5) Then tiles were left cooling immersed in water.
 6) After removing the tiles from the container, the excess water was removed by tissue
paper and tiles were weighed (m2).
7) Then the absorption of water is determined.

2. Determination of Modulus of Rupture and Breaking Strength:

This test was performed by three-point method in Tinius Olsen machine.

1) The span (L) between the supporting rod was measured.

2) The width (b) and thickness (h) of the tiles were measured. And this data was input in the
computer.
3) Then the tiles were placed in the machine where the load was given.
4) Then, a particular load was applied on the tiles and it was made sure load wasn’t too
high, which could immediately break the tiles.
5) As the load was applied, the computer provided a Force Vs Position graph. Also it had
provided the Modulus of Rupture, Ultimate strength which were used for further
calculation.

Calculation and Results:

Apparent density:
Weight of the tiles = 3345 gm
Volume of the brick = 1934.42 cm3
Apparent density= (weight/volume) gm/cm3
= 3345/1934.42 = 1.729 gm/cm3

True density:
Weight of pycnometer = 24.225gm
Weight of pycnometer + tiles powder =25.535 gm
Weight of tiles powder = (25.535 - 24.225) gm
Weight of pycnometer + tiles powder + water = 73.502 gm
Weight of pycnometer + tiles powder =25.535 gm
Weight of water = (73.502 – 25.535) = 49.347gm
So, volume of water = (49.347g/1g/cc) = 49.347mL
Volume of tiles powder = (50- volume of water) mL =0.653 mL
True density of tiles = (weight of tiles powder/volume of tiles powder) gm/cm3
= 2.006 gm/cm3

Porosity:
True density −Apparent density
× 100
True Density

2.006−1.729
= × 100
2.006

= 13.81%

Water Absorption:

m1 = mass of the dry tile = 94.780g

m2 = mass of the wet tile = 103.320 g

Water absorption = [(m2 – m1) / m1] * 100

= [(103.320-94.780)/94.780] *100
= 9.01%

Flexural Strength and Breaking Strength:

Span between the supporting rod, L= 140 mm

Width of the tiles, b= 23 mm

Thickness of the tiles, h = 17.50 mm

The data provided by the experiment:

Ultimate Force, F= 116.40N

Modulus of Rupture (MOR) = 3.47 MPa

To compare the experimental data with theoretical value, we have calculated MOR by following
equation:

σ = 3FL/2bh2
= (3×116.40 N×0.14m)/2×0.023m×0.01752m

=3.47 MPa

Breaking Strength:

S = F×(L/b)

= 116.40 N ×(0.14m/0.023m)

= 708.522 N

Discussion:

From the apparent density and true density calculation, it is evident that true density is larger
than apparent density. Apparent density considers the bulk material which contains pore and
defects. On the other hand, true density was calculated using powder sample which doesn’t
contain any pores. So true density should be larger. Therefore, we can say our density calculation
was accordance with the theory. But the calculation process may have human error as the whole
experiment was performed manually.

Porosity of our ceramic tiles was 13.81%. Porosity of ceramic tiles should be less than 20% for
durability of the tiles. Porosity determines the physical and mechanical properties of the ceramic
tiles. Low porosity tiles are suitable for outdoor condition as they absorb less water and harder.
Therefore, the tiles used in our porosity test are suitable for outdoor condition.

Water absorption test of tiles provides that the ceramic tiles absorb 9.01% water. The obtain data
may not be exact due to human error. According to this data the tiles are low dense and not
suitable for bathroom floors or the environment with high moisture. But it can show versatile
application in indoor condition.

In Three-point bend test method, the machine provided the Modulus of Rupture and Ultimate
Force. To determine the efficiency of the machine the MOR were calculated using the equation
which provided the same value as the experiment. Further the breaking strength also calculated
using the ultimate force value.

Two groups were performed the same procedure, but the MOR was different. For Group 1, it
was 3.47 MPa and for group 2, it was 3.09 MPa. The breaking strength was also higher for
Group 1. From the analysis of both sample, we can see the thickness of sample 1 is 0.5 mm
higher than that of sample 2. This can be one of the reasons. Also, we can not predict the defects
or crack in ceramic sample. The number of cracks, the size of the crack and also the crack
distribution contribute in flexural strength or breaking strength of the sample. That’s why two
sample shows different behaviour.

Question 1: Write down the tests you need conduct to analyze the properties
of tiles in a winter-prone country. And why do you need those tests?

Answer:

In winter prone country, we need to conduct following standard test:

1. Apparent Density, Bulk Density, Apparent porosity and Water Absorption test.
2. Modulus of Rupture and Breaking Strength determination
3. Chemical resistance test
4. Frost resistance test

We need to make sure that the tiles are suitable for use in freezing condition in the presence of
water. So, the frost resistance test is mandatory for winter prone country along with other
common standard tests.
Question 2: Which of the standardized tests are necessary for glazed tiles,
why?

Answer:

For Glazed tiles, the necessary tests are:

1. Surface abrasion resistance test

2. Crazing resistance test
3. Extraction of lead and cadmium from glazed tiles

Glazed tiles have low thickness and strength, so we need to see if the tiles can survive in abrasive
environment.

Crazing resistance test is performed to avoid confusing crazes with scratches, and disregarding
cracks.

Glazed tiles are often installed in kitchen, restaurants. So, in this case extraction of lead and
cadmium from glazed tiles is very necessary because lead and cadmium is poisonous.

That’s why, these three test is necessary for glazed tiles along with other mandatory tests.

Question 3: What are the tests necessary to analyze the quality of tiles in
Bangladesh? Mention reasons for each test.

Answer:

In Bangladesh, along with the mandatory standard tests, we need to perform these following
necessary tests to analyze the quality of tiles:

1. Thermal expansion coefficient test

2. Thermal shock resistance test
3. Moisture expansion tests

In summer, the temperature of Bangladesh reaches up to (40-42) 0C. So , it is necessary to

analyze that the tiles can withstand hot air or hot water. That’s why thermal expansion and
thermal shock resistance test is mandatory in this environment. Also, the average humidity of
Bangladesh is 65% and the rain occurs more often. So, the moisture expansion test is mandatory
to make sure that the tiles are suitable for this weather.

Reference:

[1] lecture provided by course teacher