Scratch hardness, expressed with the Mohs scale, is
the resistance of the surface to incision and scratching, a very important
features for customers. According to EN 101 norm, tiles are classified from 1
to 10 based on the hardness of minerals used to scratch them (Mohs is 1 Talc –
2 Gypsum – 3 Calcite – 4 Fluorite – 5 Apatite – 6 Feldspar – 7 Quartz – 8 Topaz
– 9 Corundum – 10 Diamond). The highest is the value, the lowest is the risk of
scratching or incision.
Surface abrasion
resistance determines resistance of the glaze
surface to wear and tear. According to ISO 10545-7 standard, tiles are divided
into five grades depending on their
destination of use (residential, commercial light traffic, commercial heavy
traffic...). PEI 1 corresponds to the lowest resistance and PEI 5 corresponds
to the most resistant tiles.
Nexion meets the highest standards
in the industry and always advice clients on the most suitable products to use
when the project requirements are highly demanding (as for heavy traffic public
spaces).
Resistance to
staining is a key features for customers in
both residential and commercial applications. To measure it, staining agents
are left on the ceramic surface for 24 hours in at least five test samples.
After that time, removal of the staining agents takes place in successive
stages using a variety of cleaning agents and procedures;
● Class 5: stains removed with hot water
● Class 4: stains removed with a weak commercial cleaner
● Class 3: stains removed with strong commercial
cleaning agents
● Class 2: stains removed with solvents such as acetone.
According to norms, ceramic tiles must
reach at least Class 3. Nexion slabs and tiles are top quality Class 5
products, a very important feature for all customers.
Resistance to
household chemicals and swimming pool salts is the ability of the glaze to tolerate contact with
chemicals (domestic, sanding, swimming pool, acid and base additives) at room
temperature without any alteration of appearance.
Resistance to high
and low concentrations of acids and alkalis.
Nexion products show the best
results, with no any visible alteration slabs and tiles surface.