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As one of the nation's leading ceramic tile and installation
materials testing facilities, the Tile Council of North
America, Inc. (TCNA) offers confidential product and
performance testing conducted in a state-of-the-art
laboratory. Test results are provided in a
confidential report to each customer. Our staff has
extensive experience in all phases of ceramic tile and
installation materials testing. The lab also provides
custom testing services.
The TCNA Laboratory offers a wide range of tests for
tiles, dimension stone
and installation materials per ASTM, ANSI and
ISO standards. Larger-scale testing and research can
be conducted in our pilot plant facility and
via partnerships with the National Brick Research
Center and Clemson University.
Take a look at technical articles written by our staff to learn more.
Order Forms
Dimension Stone Testing
Installation Materials Testing
Tile Testing
If you have questions regarding testing, email Bill Griese or Katelyn Simpson, or call (864) 646-8453.
New Testing Offered
Areal Analyses: A combination of digital photography and computer software enables TCNA's laboratory to precisely sum areas of black and white photographs that show different shades of gray. This, in-turn, allows one to calculate the percentage (%) of the area photographed that is comprised of a selected gray shade level. Examples of applications of this methodology include: 1) precise calculation of the bond area in adhesives testing such as that required for shear bond calculations in ANSI A136.1; and 2) percent coverage of installed tiles that shows evidence of thinset contact areas. The ability to get accurate numbers for % coverage is a much-needed service.
ASTM C609 - Measurement of Light Reflectance Value and Small Color Differences Between Pieces of Ceramic Tile: Measures both light reflectance and small color differences of ceramic tiles. It can be used to determine the percentage of incident light reflected in order to comply with various building codes and also to evaluate the variation in color within a particular production lot.
ASTM C895 - Lead and Cadmium Extracted from Glazed Ceramic Tile: Provides a method for determining the lead content or cadmium present in ceramic tile glazes. It is a particularly important test for tile that will be used in food industry installations.
Static and Dynamic Coefficient of Friction Measurements Using BOT-3000 device: Uses a self-propelled electronic device that has the ability to measure static and dynamic coefficients of friction. The dynamic measurement is taken while the surface-contacting friction material is in motion. The static measurement is taken when the friction material is moved from a still position, as in ASTM C1028. Measurements can be taken under wet or dry conditions. A Neolite friction material, similar to the Neolite sled used in C1028, is used when testing under wet conditions. A leather friction material is used when testing under dry conditions. The BOT-3000 has the ability to print a graph of results upon completion of testing.
Loss on Ignition (LOI): Measures weight loss of a material upon heating to a temperature specified by the customer.
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): Clemson University operates a state-of-the-art electron microscopy laboratory near TCNA's Product Performance Testing Laboratory. TCNA can access its capabilities at economical hourly rates. SEM provides three-dimensional images of ceramic surfaces and features such as micro-cracks, surface porosity and inclusions at magnifications typically up to 5,000 times. Additionally, chemical elemental analyses can be performed on very small spots, as well as over larger surface areas. This tool is useful in studying the effects of chemical or physical modifications, chemistry of leached materials and bonding behavior.
X-ray Diffraction (XRD): Used to identify the crystalline components of a material by comparing the diffraction spectra with those of known materials. This technique is not applicable to glass because of its non-crystalline nature.
X-ray Fluorescence (XRF): Used to determine elemental chemical analyses of materials. Often Loss On Ignition (LOI) is used in conjunction with XRF and XRD data to estimate the weight percentage of compounds present.
Custom Testing
To discuss any of the tests listed above or custom testing, please email Virgil (Sonny) Irick with details regarding your project, or call (864) 646-8453.
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