Certifications and Performance
The sense of ceramics with the elasticity of the seamless floor
The product has been tested for a long time simulating and reproducing the real conditions of daily use on a full size sample, “living” the floor in a standard environment and applying extreme conditions of usage to it. This has been preferred instead of limiting the testing on a laboratory sample. The result is a product highly resistant, very long lasting, with ceramic feel combined to the elasticity of seamless floors, able to absorb stress, loads and shocks higher than those characteristics of traditional tiles.
Basically, tests have been made directly on floors and coatings, collecting data from real usage in a long time instead of calculating absolute data from lab simulations, even if the standard parameters adopted by tiles producers have been used. Ceramica Continua® è particolarmente adatta ad essere posta in presenza di riscaldamento a pannelli per la sua elevata capacità di trasmissione termica.
WATER ABSORPTION
UNI EN ISO 10545-3: 2000
Ceramica Continua® is not a water absorbing material even when the contact with water is prolonged. It is specially treated in order to not absorb water or other liquids at all. The product is immerged for two hours in hot water and then dried out at 105 C° (220 F°) for twenty-four hours in order to ensure and prove the absence of absorption.
IMPACT RESISTANCE
UNI EN ISO 10545-5: 2000
It is the measure of the Coefficient of Restitution of the material compared with the strength of the impact. Ceramica Continua® accomplishes a great result, higher than the common tiles. This demonstrates more resistance to impacts. The interesting characteristic of CeramicaContinua is that it could just splinter when hit while common tiles usually crackle. Anyway, the chip can be easily fixed.
RESISTANCE TO DEEP ABRASIONS
UNI EN ISO 10545-6: 2012
The treatement to which CeramicaContinua is submitted guarantees a high level of resistance to abrasions. Tests are performed on an unprotected material following technical regulations. Usually the material is protected with ceramic fillers which give resistance to deep abrasions and scratches.
LINEAR THERMAL EXPANSION
UNI EN ISO 10545-8: 2000
The resulting coefficient shows the excellent characteristics of Ceramica Continua® even with the presence of refrigerating or heating systems. It does not crack or crackle even if it is exposed to an increase or to a decrease in temperature.
THERMAL SHOCKS RESISTANCE
UNI EN ISO 10545-9: 2000
The material is submitted to a ten cycles test during which it is taken to very low and then to very high temperature. At the end of test the material presents no defects.
FROST RESISTANCE
UNI EN ISO 10545-12: 2000
Ceramica Continua® is tested for 100 freeze/ unfreeze cycles. At the end, no defect is shown.
CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
UNI EN ISO 10545-13: 2000 / UNI EN ISO 10545-14: 2000 / P.O.I.
The surface is tested for a prolonged time for resistance to chemical products, leaving a large amount of product directly in contact with the surface for 24/36 hours; at the end the cleanability degree is evaluated. Specific tests are performed against the home usage products, pool salts, acids and bases at low and high concentration, red stain agent, iodine, oil, commercial principles like Cola, wine, lemon, coffee, cigarette ashes, blue ink.
SLIPPING RESISTANCE
D.M. n. 236, 14/06/1989. Metodo B.C.R.A.
Slipping tests are performed using materials such as rubber or leather, simulating wet and dry conditions.
INITIAL ADHESIVE STRENGTH
UNI EN 1348:2008
Extreme tests are performed in order to state the excellent product capability to adhere to the substrate. Tests show a result 4 times higher than the best market adhesives for tiles.
HEAT CONDUCTIBILITY
UNI EN 12664:2002
The thermic efficiency has been proofed following the regulations. The test has been perfomed on a real floor section @ 10 °C and 30 °C. Heat transfer coefficient is optimal thanks to the low thickness and especially to the composition of the material.
ELASTICITY
ASTM C215:2008
The material elasticity index is evaluated. The result shows the material elastic properties and the capability to compensate substrate movements and breaks.
TRACTION RESISTENCY
P.O.I.
Ceramica Continua® offers an optimal resistence on ceramic or concrete substrates (simulating an existing concrete screed or an in site floor), showing the effective capability of the material to adapt to and follow the bottom layer.
H2O VAPOR PERMEABILITY
This test shows the Ceramica Continua® capability to be “passed through” by vapor when it’s layed down on a screed with 5% humidity.
THERMAL RESISTANCE
The exposition for a prolonged time to forced ventilation at a temp. Range between -20°C and +60 °C doesn’t produce any variation.
COMBUSTION
BFL-S1
Ceramica Continua® performs as the best material in its own category.
FORMALDEHYDE AND V.O.C.S
Ceramica Continua® has no emissions of formaldehyde and Volatile Organic Compounds (V.O.C.), even if floor heating is present.