Overview
ISO 10545-14:2015 - "Ceramic tiles - Part 14: Determination of resistance to stains" specifies a standardized laboratory method to evaluate how the proper surface of ceramic tiles resists common staining materials. The procedure defines staining agents, exposure and cleaning methods, inspection conditions and a five‑class classification (1–5) indicating ease of stain removal. This test supports quality control, product specification and comparative performance claims for ceramic tiles.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Applies to the proper surface of ceramic tiles; testing can be done on unabraded and, by agreement, after abrasion (refer to ISO 10545-7).
- Test specimens: Five unused, undamaged whole or cut tiles; dried at (105 ± 5) °C for ≥2 h and tested within 3 h after cooling.
- Staining agents:
- Pastes that leave a trace: green (Cr2O3) and red (Fe2O3) pigments in a light oil carrier (40% m/m).
- Chemical/oxidizing: iodine solution (13 g/L in alcohol).
- Film-forming: olive oil (per International Olive Oil Agreement).
- Cleaning agents:
- Hot water (55 ± 5 °C).
- Weak commercial cleaning agent (non‑abrasive, pH 6.5–7.5).
- Strong commercial cleaning agent (abrasive, pH 9–10) - no hydrofluoric compounds.
- Solvents: 3% HCl, KOH 200 g/L, acetone (used successively as needed).
- Cleaning procedures:
- Procedure A: hot water, 5 min.
- Procedure B: manual cleaning with weak agent, rinse.
- Procedure C: mechanical cleaning with strong agent (example: 8 cm rotating brush at ~500 r/min) for 2 min.
- Procedure D: immersion in solvent for 24 h.
- Test sequence and evaluation: Apply stains under a convex watch glass, leave 24 h, then attempt removal successively with Procedures A→B→C→D. After each step dry (105 ± 5 °C, ≥2 h) and visually inspect at 25–30 cm under ≥300 lx illumination. Record classification per specimen and stain.
- Reporting: Include reference to ISO 10545-14, tile description, staining/cleaning agents used and classification results.
Applications and users
- Who uses it: ceramic tile manufacturers, independent testing laboratories, QA/QC teams, architects and specifiers, distributors and regulatory bodies.
- Practical uses:
- Validate cleanability and stain resistance claims for glazed and unglazed tiles.
- Support product selection for kitchens, bathrooms, commercial flooring and facades where stain performance matters.
- Compare formulations, glazes, or surface treatments and verify performance before market release.
Related standards
- ISO 10545 series (e.g., ISO 10545-7 for abrasion testing). Use ISO 10545-14 together with other parts (dimensions, chemical resistance, abrasion) for a complete characterization of tile performance.
Keywords: ISO 10545-14:2015, ceramic tiles stain resistance, stain resistance test, tile testing standard, cleaning procedures, staining agents.