Overview
EN ISO 10545-14:2015 - "Ceramic tiles - Part 14: Determination of resistance to stains (ISO 10545-14:2015)" defines a standardized test method to assess the resistance to stains of the proper surface of ceramic tiles. Adopted by CEN as a European standard, it describes how to expose tile surfaces to representative staining agents, apply defined cleaning procedures, and visually evaluate any permanent change. The standard is part of the ISO 10545 series for ceramic tile testing.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope & principle: Maintain staining agents in contact with the tile surface for a specified time, perform defined cleaning, and inspect visually for changes.
- Staining agents (representative groups):
- Pastes that leave a trace (e.g., green staining agent in light oil; red staining agent for green tiles) - specified in Annex A/B.
- Chemical/oxidizing stains (e.g., iodine solution).
- Film-forming stains (e.g., olive oil).
- Cleaning agents:
- Hot water at (55 ± 5) °C.
- Weak, non-abrasive commercial cleaner (pH 6.5–7.5).
- Strong, abrasive commercial cleaner (pH 9–10); must not contain hydrofluoric acid.
- Solvents such as 3 % HCl, potassium hydroxide solution (200 g/L), acetone - details and preparation given in Annex C.
- Cleaning procedures:
- Procedure A: hot water rinse and wipe.
- Procedure B: manual cleaning with weak cleaner, rinse and wipe.
- Procedure C: mechanical cleaning (example: rotating hard-bristle brush ≈8 cm, ~500 r/min) with strong cleaner for 2 minutes, then rinse.
- Procedure D: immersion in solvent for 24 h, then rinse. Solvents are tested successively; stain is considered removed if any solvent eliminates it.
- Test specimens: Five unused, undamaged tiles (whole or cut), dried at (105 ± 5) °C for at least 2 h and tested within 3 h after cooling. If abrasion testing is required, prepare per ISO 10545-7.
- Reporting: Visual classification of results, reference to annexes for agent specifications, and documentation of methods and any deviations.
Applications and users
This standard is used for:
- Quality control in ceramic tile manufacturing and glazing operations.
- Third‑party test laboratories performing stain resistance certification.
- Product specification and selection by architects, specifiers, and contractors (e.g., for kitchens, bathrooms, commercial floors).
- Comparative testing when selecting glazes, surface treatments, or after abrasion durability assessments.
Typical users: tile manufacturers, test labs, building product certifiers, architects, facilities managers, and procurement teams.
Related standards
- ISO 10545 series (general tile test methods) - particularly ISO 10545-7 (resistance to surface abrasion for glazed tiles), which is referenced when testing tiles after abrasion.