Overview
ISO 10545-6:2010 - "Ceramic tiles - Part 6: Determination of resistance to deep abrasion for unglazed tiles" specifies a laboratory test method to determine the deep abrasion resistance of unglazed ceramic floor tiles. The standard defines the apparatus, abrasive material, specimen preparation, test procedure and calculation to express material loss as a volume (mm³). It is part of the ISO 10545 series covering physical and mechanical test methods for ceramic tiles.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Applies to all unglazed ceramic tiles used as floor coverings.
- Test principle: A rotating steel disc abrades the tile surface in the presence of a controlled abrasive; the resulting imprint chord length (L) is measured and converted to volume removed (V).
- Apparatus:
- Rotating steel disc of (200 ± 0.2) mm diameter and (10 ± 0.1) mm edge thickness, made from steel grade E 235 A (Fe 360 A) per ISO 630.
- Disc speed: 75 r/min.
- Abrasive feed hopper with regulated feed.
- Measuring instrument accurate to 0.1 mm.
- Abrasive: White fused aluminum oxide, grain size F80 conforming to ISO 8486‑1. Abrasive feed rate (100 ± 10) g / 100 turns. Do not reuse abrasive.
- Calibration and pressures: Device is calibrated using transparent silica glass to produce an imprint of (24 ± 0.5) mm after 150 turns with F80 abrasive. Replace disc when diameter has worn down by 0.5%.
- Specimens:
- Tests on whole tiles or appropriately sized specimens; small pieces must be bonded to a larger support avoiding joints.
- Specimens must be clean, dry.
- Minimum five specimens; each tested in at least two perpendicular locations.
- Procedure: Run disc for 150 turns, collect imprint chord length L (±0.5 mm), calculate volume V using the formula given in the standard and report mean V.
- Reporting: Include standard reference, tile description, each L and V, and mean volume V̄.
Applications and users
- Manufacturers: Validate abrasion resistance of unglazed floor tile ranges for quality control and product development.
- Test laboratories: Provide standardized test reports for compliance, specifications and comparisons.
- Specifiers / Architects / Flooring contractors: Use results to select appropriate unglazed ceramic tiles for high-traffic floors (commercial, industrial, public spaces).
- Regulatory / procurement: Reference a reproducible metric of wear resistance in tendering and certification.
Related standards
- ISO 10545 series (other parts cover sampling, dimensional properties, surface abrasion for glazed tiles - Part 7, thermal and mechanical tests).
- ISO 8486-1 - designation and granulometry of abrasives (F4–F220).
- ISO 630 - specification for construction steel used for the disc.
Keywords: ISO 10545-6:2010, ceramic tiles, unglazed tiles, deep abrasion resistance, test method, abrasion test, F80 abrasive, floor coverings.