ASTM C484-20

Standard Test Method for Thermal Shock Resistance of Glazed Ceramic Tile

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is intended for testing glazed ceramic tile that are to be used in areas in which they may be subjected to rapid or severe temperature changes.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resistance to thermal shock of glazed ceramic tiles under normal conditions of use.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2020
• ICS: 91.100.25 - Terracotta building products
• Technical Committee: C21 - Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Drafting Committee: C21.06 - Ceramic Tile

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C484-99(2014) - Standard Test Method for Thermal Shock Resistance of Glazed Ceramic Tile
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM C242-20 - Standard Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2020
• Refers: ASTM C242-19a - Standard Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2019
• Refers: ASTM C242-19 - Standard Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2019
• Refers: ASTM C242-18 - Standard Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2018
• Refers: ASTM C242-15 - Standard Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Refers: ASTM C242-14 - Standard Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2014
• Refers: ASTM C242-12 - Standard Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-May-2012
• Refers: ASTM C242-01(2007) - Standard Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2007
• Refers: ASTM C242-00a - Standard Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2001
• Refers: ASTM C242-00 - Standard Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2001
• Refers: ASTM C242-01 - Standard Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2001

Overview

ASTM C484-20, published by ASTM International, defines the standard test method for determining the thermal shock resistance of glazed ceramic tile. This test method is critical for evaluating the ability of glazed ceramic tiles to withstand rapid and extreme temperature changes under normal conditions of use. Adhering to international standardization principles, ASTM C484-20 ensures consistency and reliability in testing, providing valuable guidance for manufacturers, specifiers, and quality control professionals in the ceramic tile industry.

Thermal shock resistance testing is essential for tiles used in environments where they may experience abrupt temperature variations, such as kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor installations, and commercial areas. The method allows for detection of visible defects and performance evaluation, helping ensure product durability and customer satisfaction.

Key Topics

• Thermal Shock Resistance: Assesses the durability of glazed ceramic tiles against cycles of rapid heating and cooling.
• Sample Preparation: Involves selecting at least five whole tiles or trim units per test, as specified in the standard.
• Immersion and Non-Immersion Procedures: Two testing procedures accommodate tiles with varying water absorption properties (less than or equal to 10% and greater than 10%).
• Temperature Cycling: Tiles are alternately cycled between low temperatures (using water baths) and high temperatures (using an oven) ten times.
• Inspection for Defects: After testing, tiles are examined for visible defects. Staining techniques may be used to reveal cracks or flaws.
• Reporting: Outcome documentation includes tile description, water absorption data, type of test performed, and the incidence of defects.
• Safety Considerations: Users must address all relevant safety, health, and environmental requirements prior to application.

Applications

The ASTM C484-20 test method is widely used across various sectors of the ceramic tile industry:

• Product Development and Quality Assurance: Tile manufacturers employ this method to verify new products and ensure batch consistency prior to market release.
• Specification Compliance: Architects, builders, and project managers use the test results to select tiles that meet durability requirements for specific applications, especially where exposure to thermal shock is likely.
• Regulatory and Contractual Purposes: Compliance with ASTM C484-20 can be specified in contracts to guarantee performance, reducing the risk of premature failure and after-sale claims.
• Export and International Trade: As an internationally recognized standard, ASTM C484-20 facilitates trade by providing consistent benchmarks for thermal shock resistance in glazed ceramic tile.

Related Standards

The following ASTM standards are commonly referenced alongside ASTM C484-20 to ensure comprehensive testing and specification conformance for glazed ceramic tiles:

• ASTM C242: Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products - Provides definitions relevant to ceramic products.
• ASTM C373: Test Methods for Determination of Water Absorption and Associated Properties by Vacuum Method for Pressed Ceramic Tiles and Glass Tiles and Boil Method for Extruded Ceramic Tiles and Non-tile Fired Ceramic Whiteware Products - Essential for determining water absorption, which is integral to specifying the test method in C484.
• Other Ceramic Tile Standards: Depending on the intended use and regional requirements, additional ASTM or ISO standards may apply for aspects such as slip resistance, breaking strength, and dimensional tolerances.

Conclusion

ASTM C484-20 offers a robust and standardized approach to evaluating thermal shock resistance in glazed ceramic tiles. Its application supports product integrity, enhanced safety, and suitability for demanding environments, making it an essential reference in the tile manufacturing and building sectors. Compliance with this and related standards helps drive product quality and customer confidence in both domestic and international markets.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C484 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Thermal Shock Resistance of Glazed Ceramic Tile
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C484; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 5°C (293 6 9°F). This test method includes two procedures,
with and without immersion, for tiles with a water absorption
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resis-
less than or equal to 10% and tiles with a water absorption
tance to thermal shock of glazed ceramic tiles under normal
greater than 10%, respectively. After completing ten cycles,
conditions of use.
thetilesareinspectedforanydamageasaresultofthecycling.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
5. Significance and Use
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
5.1 This test method is intended for testing glazed ceramic
tile that are to be used in areas in which they may be subjected
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
to rapid or severe temperature changes.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
6. Apparatus
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
6.1 Water Bath, for testing with immersion, through which
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
15 6 5°C (59 6 9°F) water flows at a rate of 1 gal/min. The
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
bath shall hold at least 5 gal (19 L) of water and shall be of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
dimensions such that the test sample is immersed completely
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
when placed in the bath vertically.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 6.2 Covered Water Bath, for testing without immersion,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
consisting of the Water Bath in 6.1 covered with an aluminum
sheet and layer of aluminum grains. The aluminum sheet shall
2. Referenced Documents
be 5.18mm (0.204-in.) thick—No. 4 B&S—gauge and of
dimensions such that the test sample can be placed glazed face
2.1 ASTM Standards:
down on it. The aluminum sheet shall cover the mouth of the
C242Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related
bath with the flow of water directed such that it is in contact
Products
with bottom surface of the aluminum sheet. The entire top
3. Terminology surface of the aluminum sheet shall be covered witha3mm
(0.197-in.) thick layer of aluminum grains. The diameters of
3.1 Definitions:
the aluminum grains shall be in the range of 0.3 to 0.6 mm
3.1.1 For the definitions of terms used on this test method,
(0.012 to 0.024 in.).
refer to Terminology C242.
6.3 Oven, capable of maintaining a constant temperature of
4. Summary of Test Method
145 6 5°C (293 6 9°F).
4.1 This test method consists of determining the thermal
7. Sampling
shock resistance of ceramic tiles by cycling a sample ten times
7.1 Number of Test Specimens—The test sample shall con-
betweenthetemperaturesof15 65°C(59 69°F)and145 6
sist of at least five tiles or trim units, selected at random from
the lot to be tested.
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC21onCeramic
7.2 Size of Test Specimens—Test specimens up to 30 ×
Whitewares and Related Productsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
30cm (12 × 12in.) shall remain uncut for testing. Specimens
C21.06 on Ceramic Tile.
with edges greater than 30cm (12in.) may be reduced in size
Current edition approved April 1, 2020. Published April 2020. Originally
approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C484–99
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: C484 − 99 (Reapproved 2014) C484 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Thermal Shock Resistance of Glazed Ceramic Tile
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C484; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resistance to thermal shock of glazed ceramic tiles under normal conditions
of use.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C242 Terminology of Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
C373 Test Methods for Determination of Water Absorption and Associated Properties by Vacuum Method for Pressed Ceramic
Tiles and Glass Tiles and Boil Method for Extruded Ceramic Tiles and Non-tile Fired Ceramic Whiteware Products
3. Terminology
3.1 DefinitionsDefinitions:—For
3.1.1 For the definitions of terms used on this test method, refer to Terminology C242. the definitions of terms used on this test
method, refer to Terminology C242.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This test method consists of determining the thermal shock resistance of ceramic tiles by cycling a sample ten times between
the temperatures of 15 6 5°C5 °C (59 6 9°F)9 °F) and 145 6 5°C5 °C (293 6 9°F).9 °F). This test method includes two
procedures, with and without immersion, for tiles with a water absorption less than or equal to 10 % and tiles with a water
absorption greater than 10 %, respectively. After completing ten cycles, the tiles are inspected for any damage as a result of the
cycling.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method is intended for testing glazed ceramic tile that are to be used in areas in which they may be subjected to
rapid or severe temperature changes.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Water Bath, for testing with immersion, through which 15 6 5°C5 °C (59 6 9°F)9 °F) water flows at a rate of 1 gal/min.
The bath shall hold at least 5 gal (19 L) of water and shall be of dimensions such that five whole tiles arethe test sample is immersed
completely when placed in the bath vertically.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C21 on Ceramic Whitewares and Related Productsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C21.06
on Ceramic Tile.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2014April 1, 2020. Published December 2014April 2020. Originally approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 20092014 as
C484 – 99 (2009).(2014). DOI: 10.1520/C0484-99R14.10.1520/C0484-20.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C484 − 20
6.2 Covered Water Bath, for testing without immersion, consisting of the Water Bath in 6.1 covered with an aluminum sheet
and layer of aluminum grains. The aluminum sheet shall be 5.18–mm (0.204–in.)5.18 mm (0.204-in.) thick—No. 4 B&S—
gageB&S—gauge and of dimensions such that five whole tilesthe test sample can be placed glazed face down on it. The aluminum
sheet shall cover the mouth of the bath with the flow of water directed such that it
...