Application of different test methods to assess the wear resistance of ceramic tiles

Over the past decade, ceramic tile production and consumption have experiencedsignificant growth, despite the increasing requirements imposed by the market. Thisgrowth is attributed not only to technological advancements and product aesthetics, butalso to innovative tile formats (e.g., ceramic slabs). Additionally, enhancements inmechanical, technological, and tribological properties have promoted new applications.Ceramic tiles, largely present in the international market, shall follow classificationcriteria and test methods outlined in ISO 13006 and ISO 10545 (parts 1-20),respectively. However, among test methods, a specific test to measure wear resistanceis still missing. This aspect is of paramount importance, especially for glazed tiles, wherethe glaze has the main function of preserving the underlying decoration. The aim of thisstudy is to investigate the mechanical and tribological properties of two different glazesapplied on porcelain stoneware tiles. With a view to obtaining a clear picture of themechanical and tribological properties of the glazed surface, different analytical testswere carried out, such as Vickers microhardness indentation, roughness measurement,and microstructural investigation using a scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM)equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Wear resistance wasassessed by adopting two different test methods: the abrasion resistance test doneaccording to ISO 10545-7 and the multi-attribute method, a novel approach that allowsdetermination of the intended use of a ceramic tile based on a combination of differenttests. Results indicate that the multi-attribute test offers a more accurate assessmentof ceramic tile wear resistance, unaffected by the color of the underlying decorations.