ISO 10545-3-2018 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 10545-3:2018 — Ceramic tiles — Part 3: Determination of water absorption, apparent porosity, apparent relative density and bulk density. This part of ISO 10545 specifies a laboratory method for determining key porosity and density properties of ceramic tiles used for classification and product specification.

Abstract

Specifies a method to determine water absorption, apparent porosity, apparent relative density and bulk density of ceramic tiles. The procedure is based on saturating specimens (now by vacuum impregnation), measuring dry, saturated and suspended masses and calculating the required properties. Results are intended for tile classification, product specifications and quality control.

General information

• Status: Published (current, confirmed at review).
• Publication date: February 2018 (2018-02).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 91.100.23 (Ceramic tiles).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2018).
• Number of pages: 8.

Scope

Applies to ceramic tiles and gives the standardized laboratory method for determining water absorption, apparent porosity, apparent relative density and bulk density. The 2018 edition standardizes vacuum impregnation (Archimedean technique) for saturating open porosity and removes the previous boiling-immersion procedure, allowing consistent classification and specification of tiles across laboratories and markets.

Key topics and requirements

• Principle: Archimedes method — determine dry mass, water-saturated mass and suspended mass to calculate water absorption, open porosity and densities.
• Saturation method: vacuum impregnation of open pores (vacuum cycle specified) — the boiling impregnation method used in older editions was removed.
• Apparatus and accuracy: oven for drying (typical 110 °C range), precision balance, vacuum chamber, immersion container and fixtures for suspended weighing; water of defined purity and temperature control.
• Specimen preparation and sampling: instructions for specimen size, cutting/handling small tiles and conditioning prior to test are provided.
• Calculations and reporting: standard formulas for water absorption (%), apparent porosity (%) and apparent relative/bulk density, plus required report content for conformity and classification.

Typical use and users

Used by ceramic tile manufacturers, research and development laboratories, independent testing and conformity-assessment laboratories, certification bodies, architects and specifiers who require verified material properties for selection, compliance, classification and quality control.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 10545 series on ceramic tiles (other parts cover sampling and acceptance, dimensions and surface quality, breaking strength, abrasion, thermal expansion, frost resistance, chemical resistance, stains, etc.). It is commonly referenced alongside regional/adopted versions (for example EN ISO adopters) and product standards that use ISO 10545 results for classification.

Keywords

ceramic tiles; water absorption; apparent porosity; bulk density; apparent relative density; Archimedes method; vacuum impregnation; tile classification; test method; ISO 10545-3.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 10545-3:2018 is the international test method for determining water absorption, apparent porosity, apparent relative density and bulk density of ceramic tiles.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation, a vacuum-based saturation procedure (Archimedean technique), required apparatus and precision, calculation methods for water absorption/porosity/density and reporting requirements used for classification and product specifications.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers, QC and R&D labs, independent testing bodies, certifiers, architects and product specifiers who need standardized, comparable porosity and density data for ceramic tiles.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2018 edition (Edition 2) is the current international edition; ISO indicates the publication was reviewed and confirmed (remains current) during its review cycle (confirmed in 2023).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 3 of the ISO 10545 series of standards for ceramic tiles, which includes multiple other parts addressing sampling, dimensions, mechanical and durability tests, and other physical and performance properties.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Water absorption; porosity; bulk density; apparent relative density; Archimedes method; vacuum impregnation; ceramic tiles; tile classification.