Wear-resistance groups

Wear-resistance

Wear-resistance properties of glazed vitreous and porcelain stoneware tiles in accordance with EN ISO 10545-7

All floor coverings are exposed to wear. The extent of wear is primarily dependent on the following
factors:

• Frequency of use
• Degree of soiling and cleaning conditions
• Type of mechanical stress through manner in which the floor is walked, driven upon
• The hardness of the glaze
• The thickness of the glaze layer
• The glaze finish (matt, semi-matt, gloss)
• The colour and brightness of the glaze

As a rule, floor covering material is worn down by sand and dirt particles that adhere to the soles of shoes and
act like sandpaper high pressure during walking and turning movements.
Glazed vitreous and porcelain stoneware tiles are characterised by a particularly easy-care finish. Glazed vitreous or porcelain stoneware tiles which are selected according to the area of application concerned and cleaned on a regular basis are highly durable.
If abrasive materials, such as dirt contained in quartz sand, are allowed to act on the glaze for long periods of
time, a loss of gloss and gradual increase in roughness of the surface may result. However, as the serviceability
of the floor covering remains unimpaired, this does not constitute a justifiable ground for complaints.
Scratches in the glaze are caused by materials of at least equal hardness, such as quartz grains, sand, dirt or similar in conjunction with a load and movements over the covering. They can, for example, be caused when moving heavy items (including pieces of furniture).
To prevent premature surface wear, it is recommended that large cleaning zones be provided at all entrances.