Overview
EN ISO 10545-6:2012 (identical to ISO 10545-6:2010) specifies a laboratory test method for determining the resistance to deep abrasion of unglazed ceramic tiles intended for floor coverings. The method produces a transverse groove in the tile surface using a rotating steel disc and a controlled abrasive feed; the length of the groove (chord) is measured and converted to a volume of material removed to express abrasion resistance.
The procedure is suitable for whole tiles or suitably prepared test specimens and is intended for use in product specification, durability assessment and quality control.
Key Topics
- Scope: Test method for all unglazed ceramic floor tiles.
- Principle: A rotating steel disc abrades the tile surface while a measured quantity of abrasive (F80) is fed into the grinding zone; the resulting groove chord length L is measured and converted to a volume V of material removed.
- Apparatus:
- Rotating steel disc (E 235 A / Fe 360 A) with diameter (200 ± 0,2) mm and edge thickness (10 ± 0,1) mm.
- Disc speed: 75 r/min.
- Abrasive hopper and dispensing device; measuring gauge accurate to 0,1 mm.
- Abrasive: White fused aluminium oxide, grain size F80 in accordance with ISO 8486-1. Equivalent abrasives may be used only if they produce comparable results.
- Calibration: Pressure is calibrated against transparent fused silica so that after 150 revolutions with F80 abrasive a chord of (24 ± 0,5) mm is produced (transparent fused silica as primary standard; float glass may serve as a secondary standard).
- Specimens and sampling: Minimum of five test specimens; small samples may be bonded to a backing plate.
- Procedure: Feed abrasive at (100 ± 10) g per 100 revolutions; run the disc for 150 revolutions; measure chord length L to the nearest 0,5 mm at two orthogonal positions on the proper surface.
- Results: Report individual chord lengths, calculated volumes removed (V), and the mean volume. Calculation uses disc geometry (diameter d, thickness h) and the chord-derived angle α.
Applications
- Product development and comparative assessment of abrasion resistance for unglazed floor tiles.
- Quality control in manufacturing to verify consistency and conformance with performance requirements.
- Specification and selection guidance for architects, specifiers and flooring engineers assessing tile suitability for high-traffic or industrial floors.
Related Standards
- ISO 10545 series (Parts 1–16) covering sampling, dimensions, water absorption, mechanical and thermal properties, chemical resistance and more.
- ISO 8486-1 - Bonded abrasives: grain size designation (F4 to F220).
- ISO 630 - Structural steels (reference for disc material E 235 A / Fe 360 A).
Practical value: EN ISO 10545-6:2012 provides a repeatable, calibrated method to quantify deep-abrasion performance of unglazed tiles, enabling informed specification, robust quality control and meaningful durability comparisons between products.
