What Polish clinker is made by extrusion. Facing material - clinker tiles. Video. Properties of facade clinker tiles. What can be glued on the facade

An investor, when making a decision to buy ceramic tiles for a facade, is faced with the question: which tile to choose? The dilemma is whether to prefer the aesthetic aspects alone or to consider the technical ones as well. There are two main types of ceramic tiles on the market: extruded and pressed. They differ both in the way they are produced and in the features that have a direct impact on cost and efficiency of use. Some of them have, for example, smaller tolerances, others are more resistant to adverse weather conditions. By providing this information, we hope that the investor will be able to make informed decisions based on them, taking into account not only their own preferences and expectations, but also technical aspects in order to enjoy the end result of beautiful and durable facades for many years. Ceramic tiles can be obtained using two technologies:

extrusion technology. This traditional technology is used in the production of clinker, bricks and cobblestones. Tablets are made of plastics with a moisture content of 15%. Part of the clay is squeezed out of the press under enormous pressure and then cut into individual products.
Dry pressing technology. Adhesive in the form of a powder mixture with a water content of 4-5% is filled into a mold and then pressed under high pressure. This technology is similar to that used in the production of porcelain stoneware, cement-sand tiles.

These two different modes of production make it possible to obtain products that are combined only in the name - ceramic tiles. However, they have different internal structure, physico-chemical properties, and thus resistance and durability. They differ in characteristics that determine the strength of the bond to the tile adhesive and other bonds, especially to water. Their aesthetics are also very different.

Substrate bonding strength

The main mounting tile (dry-pressed) is pressed against a dry glass and smooth surface without any open micropores. The adhesive does not have the ability to penetrate deep into the structure of the plate. This, of course, limits the possibility of bonding with the adhesive solution and a strong connection is difficult to obtain. Especially when the tiles are used outdoors: not only in frost in winter, but also in summer - the sun and large daily temperature fluctuations can lead to separation of the tile from the substrate (bearing wall).

The surface of the pressed tile in magnification

In the case of extruded tiles, they have a porous and rough structure which provides a large contact surface for the adhesive mortar. The adhesive easily and deeply penetrates into the micropores of the open system, which leads to a special strength of the glued tiles.

The surface of the extruded tile in magnification

Water absorption, frost resistance

Dry pressed tiles have low water absorption, so they may appear to be more stable and durable. The reality is quite different. It is worth considering the internal structure of the two materials that have a direct impact on the performance and usability of the hob. In the production technology of a dry compressed body, tiles with a structure of compressed chaotic material particles, between which the micropores are closed with very thin capillary channels. This results in low water absorption and also extremely slow water outflow. It is assumed that water has not got inside such products. However, this assumption is purely theoretical. The water remaining in the tile, due to the closed structure and compacted material, cannot be expelled and will expand when frozen in the cold. Therefore, it may cause damage to the tiles. Additional risks of moisture removal from glued tiles. Dry pressed slabs do not have the ability to carry water outside of the substrate. Water partially enters the tile and remaining under it can weaken the bond with the substrate, the supporting frame.

Structure and behavior of water in pressed tiles

Structure and behavior of water in extruded tiles

The internal structure of the tile obtained by extrusion technology is completely different. During the production process of extrusion, the microstructure is not damaged and retains its natural, uniform character. A network of interconnected capillary channels makes it possible to rapidly vent moisture to the outside, they have a lower absorbency than semi-dry pressed tiles, but water is easily released back into the environment. The microporous structure makes the material resistant to freezing water left in the tile. In addition, due to its structure, extruded tiles easily get rid of water between the tile and the adhesive layer, which prevents water from accumulating in the area of the tile. Thus, extruded tiles have a higher adhesion to the substrate and, accordingly, the tiles are less likely to come off the substrate. The water absorption due to the internal structure is less, the tiles are more durable and more resistant to extreme weather conditions.

Structure and behavior of water in extruded tiles

Aesthetics

As already mentioned, the aesthetics of pressed and extruded tiles are completely different. Of course, there is no way to say which one is better, because both groups find their supporters and opponents. For some, the smooth surface of pressed tiles has a plastic, artificial look, for others, the surface is too "strict". Pressed products are produced in molds, so that the structure of the model is repeatable, their surface is well reproducible. They are characterized by greater accuracy than extruded products, have smaller tolerances and color. The surface is very smooth, often covered with engobe, therefore, it is possible to argue that they are artificial, plastic with some stretch and only the size resembles a brick. The pressed plates have a thickness of 6-7 mm and, therefore, a small space between the tile and the base is filled with a fugue (joint filler), which reduces the water resistance of the wall. The structure of such joints in pressed tiles is smooth and does not resemble the joints used in a brick façade.

When gluing pressed tiles, the tiles cannot be pressed hard enough to create a successful imitation of brickwork. A thin mortar is also less durable and, as a result of wind due to air leakage, may crack and crumble.

Extruded tiles are made in exactly the same way as clinker bricks, from the same raw materials and using the same technology. So the surface looks similar to the surface of traditional clinker products. They are not as smooth as pressed tiles, they also have higher frost resistance. They are so perfect that after facing the facade, no one can say whether it was tiled or bricked. The range of products produced in extrusion technology is rich in natural colors and surface textures, like those of clinker bricks. Often, manufacturers offer the same or similar tile and brick colors needed to complete related elements such as facades, chimneys, fences, and landscaping. Due to the fact that extruded tiles are produced with a thickness of 9-16 mm, they can use the same grouts as for grouting bricks, therefore, their particle size and structures are identical to the surface of mortars for masonry.

We hope that based on the above information, the investor, considering the technical and aesthetic aspects, will be able to make informed decisions and have clad walls with trouble-free operation.

EXTRUSION CLINKER CERAMIC TILE (clinker -?).

Recently, when selling ceramic tiles in Moscow, there has been a practice of using the terms clinker, clinker tiles, extrusion tiles, etc. as synonyms. This use of terms is justified only because it is easier to say "clinker" than, for example, "extrusive ceramic clinker tiles". In fact, it is a mixture of terms and categories.

Clinker ceramic tiles are tiles obtained from raw slate clays (clay has a special mineralogical composition) by pressing or extrusion, followed by long-term high-temperature firing. Sometimes clinker is called ceramic stone. Clinker tiles are “hardened” within 40 hours (ordinary tiles are fired for at least 45 minutes, max - 2 hours). Firing is carried out at a temperature of 13000C - 13900C (for comparison - porcelain stoneware, one of the most durable types of ceramic tiles, is fired at a temperature of 11

extrusion Clinker tiles are produced using a special machine - an extruder (from Latin Extrudo - “I squeeze out”, in everyday life it is a meat grinder or a confectionery syringe) by squeezing plastic raw clay through a shaping hole, the cross section of which corresponds to the configuration of the finished product. Products can be of the most complex shape (hence the connection with steps, this method is most often used for their production). Manufacturing technology of clinker tiles by pressing similar to the method of making ordinary tiles and hardly requires further explanation.

Both technologies make it possible to produce an excellent durable material, however, extruded clinker tiles are superior in performance to any "pressed" tiles (including ordinary porcelain stoneware), which explains their ever-growing popularity.

Features of extrusion clinker (advantages and disadvantages):

The high density of the material and, as a result, its frost resistance justifying the use in our climate zone.

· Surface clinker extrusion products has high anti-slip properties: such tiles are safe - it is difficult to slip on them.

· Strength(due to strength the material itself and at the expense thick finished product - up to 2.5 cm.) determines the advantage of laying on the floor compared to porcelain stoneware in areas of high traffic and with difficult operating conditions. For example, as steps - porcelain stoneware steps, as a rule, are much thinner than clinker ones. Thick stoneware steps are of course also produced, only they are too expensive to be widely used. The reverse side of these qualities of clinker is that thick heavy material will require more expenses for its delivery to the place of use.

· Variety of design solutions products from extruded clinker (due to new technologies for clinker surface treatment) - for every taste. If you want steps under terracotta - here you are, if you want wooden ones - please, or you can put a funny drawing on the riser:

https://pandia.ru/text/78/094/images/image002_102.jpg" width="213" height="102 src=">.jpg" align="left" width="166" height="93 ">look at the photo above! And porcelain stoneware steps are often less reliable, not only because of their small thickness, but also because they are composite. That is, they are glued together from two elements: an ordinary rectangular tile and a rounded part that looks like a cornice. Of course, solid steps are also produced from porcelain stoneware (an example of such a step is in the figure), but they are much more expensive than extrusion clinker ones. And - note: the rounded part the composite step is not made of porcelain stoneware, but of clinker! Such clinker cornice-like rounded elements are produced by the Exagres factory, for example, and are commercially available as a separate product. The end elements are supplied with metal embedded plates, which, in our opinion, make it possible to achieve a stronger cement-adhesive base, a corner element and a rectangular part of the step than in a finished porcelain stoneware composite step, where the tile and the rounded part are simply glued together.

Another feature of extrusion clinker is on the reverse side of the tile there is a characteristic profile, called dovetail, which is fundamental improves grip material with a binder solution and, ultimately, with the surface to be coated. Pressed tiles do not have such a profile. The presence of a dovetail also makes it possible to create heat-insulating facade panels lined with extruded clinker - clinker tiles are molded from the “inside out” into expanded polystyrene, which forms a very strong connection with the tile during polymerization. An example of a thermal panel made of clinker tiles and a paneled facade:

Hence - all the variety of areas of application of extrusion clinker tiles. It is widely used for interior and exterior work, both in residential and industrial premises for finishing any surfaces. In a country house, extrusion clinker is laid out on steps, platforms on stairs, in premises “freezing” in winter (warehouses, garages, terraces), in industrial premises they are finished with walls and floors in production areas (clinker is resistant to chemically active substances), spread in places of high traffic (floor in a store, restaurant, workshop, etc.). Extruded clinker tiles are widely used for cladding (and insulation) of facades of any buildings. And let's not forget to mention such an important and specific area of application as swimming pools - with all the variety of special elements necessary to ensure their proper functioning, and convenient to manufacture from clinker using extrusion technology.

Today, the increase in sales of extruded clinker ceramics in Moscow is associated with the understanding of the buyers themselves of the advantages of such tiles, even in comparison with porcelain stoneware.

Each owner strives to use only natural materials that are environmentally friendly for the construction of his house. Satisfying the demand of buyers, modern manufacturers offer developers high-tech, centuries-old building materials, which include clinker, which has been used by European architects for almost 200 years.

Where and when did clinker appear

For the first time such material was used by the Dutch for the construction of roads. This country has very scarce reserves of stone. This forced the Dutch to look for a technology for the production of building materials that would not be inferior in properties to natural stone. This is how clinker appeared - an environmentally friendly and truly unique material.

Although almost two centuries have passed since its invention, the technology discovered by the Dutch is still used in construction. And clinker is successfully used for interior and exterior decoration of buildings for various purposes.

How clinker tiles are made

This building material is made from layered clay, which is quite abundant in Europe. In the old days, for the production of clinker, bricks were formed from it, which were then baked at high temperatures in special ovens. As a result of firing, the material acquired a unique strength.

Modern technology for the production of clinker tiles is also based on a single heat treatment of clay raw materials. The latter is obtained by pressing or extrusion (extrusion).

The formed blanks are placed in a tunnel kiln for firing. In the center of such a furnace there is a source of open fire, which provides a temperature of about 1360 ° C. Clinker blanks are fired within 36-48 hours. For comparison, ordinary ceramic tiles undergo only two hours of heat treatment.

In order to give the clinker special properties, the billets are slowly moved towards the heat source for gradual heating. After passing the temperature maximum, the products are also slowly pushed back to ensure smooth cooling.

Clay is a very plastic material, which makes it possible to produce clinker products of various shapes and purposes.

What is clinker tiles

This building material can be glazed and unglazed, with or without a pattern. By appointment, clinker is distinguished for exterior and interior decoration. There are also technical analogues designed for paving roads, arranging floors and wall cladding in public and industrial buildings.

In the manufacture of clinker tiles, the latest technologies are used, which allow the production of unglazed and glazed products of various colors without the introduction of artificial dyes. Moreover, such building materials do not fade and are able to maintain the natural tone of clay for many years. Finished clinker products are resistant to abrasion and have a shiny surface without pores.

Do you want to build for the ages? use clinker

Unglazed clinker products are used for exterior decoration, swimming pool cladding, for arranging playgrounds, sidewalks, stairs, floors in recreation areas, etc. Such material does not form efflorescence, does not slip, and is characterized by low moisture absorption. Immunity to the action of atmospheric factors and frost resistance make it possible to use clinker tiles for decorating plinths, facades and other similar objects.

Finishing the building with this building material will not only give it an elegant look, but will also save a lot. Unlike other types of cladding, clinker does not need to be repaired for a long time.

At the moment, mosaics, ceramic tiles and other modern materials are often used for interior decoration. But they cannot be compared with clinker either in terms of strength or decorative properties. It is clinker products that make it possible to implement the most creative design ideas for decorating a bath, sauna, kitchen and other premises.

Ceramic clinker tiles are a building material that has been manufactured for several centuries. Today, as before, it remains popular and is used everywhere: they are faced with steps of cottages and public buildings, floors, walls, portals of fireplaces, pools. Recently, the production of thermal panels lined with clinker tiles has been launched. Outwardly, this material is practically indistinguishable from high-quality brickwork.

It is produced in different textures: with a rough (matte) surface and glossy. The color palette is also very different: from dark brown to light ocher or yellow. The surface of the material can be glazed. The dimensions of a standard tile are 245x66x8mm.

The color palette is quite diverse from dark brown to light ocher or yellow.

From the origin story

The founders of the production of clinker tiles were the Dutch, who were forced to use “sea” clay for the production of this type of artificial stone due to the lack of natural material. It happened at the beginning of the 19th century.

At first, roads were paved with this artificial stone, but then they began to veneer the facades of buildings.

Subsequently, the Poles picked up the baton: they learned how to produce very high-quality and inexpensive tiles, which they began to export to many European countries. We have also established production, but, unfortunately, the quality of domestic material is still inferior to foreign samples.

Tiles of various shapes, such as concave, convex or even in the form of an angle, can be made using the extrusion method, which you can read about below.

Some production information

The process begins with mixing different types of clay with the addition of chamotte, feldspar, quartz sand and faience. The resulting mixture is milled and crushed to a state of homogeneous mass using special mills. The next step is drying. The result is a granular substance required as a raw material. Tiles are formed either by pressing or by extrusion.

The pressing process involves filling the mass into special molds, compacting it and pressing it with high pressure. Extrusion occurs with the addition of water and mixing of raw materials until a doughy mass is obtained. The resulting mass is passed through a special hole, the dimensions of which correspond to the dimensions of the finished product. The outgoing strip-blank is cut in length.

The color of an unglazed tile depends on the porosity of the clay and its iron content. Clinker products undergo a much longer firing procedure and at a higher temperature than ordinary tiles: 1.5 days at 1500 ° C.

During firing, the main qualities inherent in this material are formed: high density (due to the complete sintering of clay), resistance to mechanical damage, temperature changes and abrasion. Its water absorption is 5 times less than that of ordinary tiles: this ensures high frost resistance.

Features of different manufacturing methods

Each of the above methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. Pressing makes it possible to obtain clinker tiles with more precise dimensions and high surface quality. However, the extrusion method requires less financial costs, which means that the products obtained in this way are cheaper. In addition, extrusion makes it possible to produce (unlike the pressing method) tiles of various shapes, such as concave, convex or even angled. Another feature of the extrusion method is that the resulting products have conical recesses that improve adhesion to the substrate.

Material Advantages

Clinker tiles have a number of advantages over conventional ceramic tiles, namely:

it is more durable;
has more strength;
it has a longer service life;
due to high frost resistance it can be used for outdoor work;
has a low level of moisture absorption.

This finishing material received such characteristics due to the peculiarities of the production technology. During the firing process, a top layer is formed that performs a protective function: thanks to this, the tile does not get dirty, does not change its color and is easy to clean with any chemical and even abrasive agent.

Clinker, or clinker ceramics, are artificial stone materials of the established form, made from clay by firing at temperatures up to 1300C until complete sintering without surface vitrification. It does not contain artificial impurities and dyes, and different colors are formed by mixing clay of different colors and by firing. Clinker bricks are characterized by low water absorption, high frost resistance and wear resistance, do not fade or fade over time.

From ordinary products of coarse building ceramics (ordinary brick, tiles, facing tiles), clinker ceramic materials have a higher mechanical strength(for compression, abrasion, bending), less water absorption(0-6% by weight). Clinker ceramic materials contain an increased amount of glass phase, as well as quartz and feldspar as the predominant minerals. The structure of clinker ceramic materials is dense, micro-grained, without large inclusions, voids. It provides such high performance:

MOOS hardness scale: 8 points out of 10 (10 points - diamond). Clinker is not scratched by sand, iron, etc.
Abrasion scale: 4-5 points out of 5.
Frost resistance: more than 300 freeze and thaw cycles.
Water absorption: less than 5%.

Some technical characteristics, according to European standards, inherent in clinker bricks:

It should be added that the strength of the clinker should be 25 MPa and higher, the density of 1950 kg/m3 for solid, 1600 kg/m3 for hollow, up to 2000 kg/m3 for manual brick molding, thermal conductivity of 0.5-0.7 watt/mS. These parameters allow the bricks to be resistant to climatic conditions and therefore retain their reliability and attractive appearance for a long time.

The guaranteed service life of high-quality clinker is at least 50 years.

It should be noted a wide range of colors of clinker at the present time. Even 10-15 years ago, we saw mainly two colors - white and red. Now a lot of varieties of facing clinker have appeared on the domestic market. There are dozens of shades. Clinker can be yellow, pink, cream, burgundy - in general, anything. And if we take into account that the texture of facing bricks is different, then the number of possible options increases even more. Such a variety makes it possible to successfully use facing bricks in the decoration of country houses.

Where are clinker products used?

Clinker products are used where long-term preservation of high performance properties and aesthetic appearance is required under conditions of rather harsh external influences (mainly for high-quality cladding (finishing) of various architectural forms): classic stairs; curly window sills and external ebbs, parapets and similar structures; lining of smooth transitions, junctions and articulations of planes with various types of finishes (floors of galleries, open terraces, landings, finishing of corners), fireplaces; sites; tracks; stairs; porches; parking lots; garages; around the pools flowerbeds and other elements of the landscape, facade and interior

How to clad a porch with clinker steps?

Laying tiles and steps for indoor and outdoor use must be carried out on a prepared, even, dry base. When laying tiles on a cement (concrete) base, it must be completely dry in order to avoid the appearance of cracks on the inside of the tile during operation and the appearance of cement stains on the surface of the tile. One of the main advantages of clinker tiles is the so-called. "color play" Before laying the tiles must be mixed from different boxes, because. the tiles in them may differ in tone. For outdoor work, it is necessary to use frost-resistant and moisture-proof adhesives and grout. The thickness of the adhesive layer when laying steps or tiles should not exceed 1 cm. When laying, make sure that the lines on the reverse side of all tiles run in the same direction, otherwise cracks may occur in the joints between the tiles.

Where does the color heterogeneity in clinker ceramics come from?

The difference in color of the clinker is due to the fact that it enters the tunnel kiln in a state saturated with water. The residence time of some elements in the furnace is longer (darker), some less (lighter). The location of the elements in the oven (closer to the edges or center) also affects the color.

Can wall tiles be laid on the floor?

Do not lay tiles intended for wall cladding on the floor. Since the tile has a smaller thickness, lower mechanical strength, and testing in terms of wear resistance is not provided.

How is clinker processed?

One of the important distinguishing features of clinker is the ease and convenience in working with it. The tile is perfectly cut with a diamond blade under the pressure of water.

What is the size difference in the material?

Clinker is an uncalibrated material. Within the batch there may be a discrepancy in the size of the facade tiles and steps up to 5mm. The deviation from the specified dimensions is a consequence of the clinker production method: the extrusion of the product occurs with the help of a nozzle equipped with a 3 mm thick fishing line, which cuts off preforms of a given size from the total mass of clay. This operation introduces a variation in the dimensions of the clinker tile.

Is it possible to paint clinker facade tiles and with what?

How to clean the facade?

Any dirt that appears on the front surface during laying, gluing or grouting should be removed immediately with a dry method.

Do not allow the mortar to dry on the front surface of the brick or tile. Excess adhesive squeezed out from under the tile into the space between the tiles should be removed so that there is room for the grout.

How to lay clinker correctly?

During bricklaying / tiling, bricks / tiles from several pallets / packages should be used in order to avoid color differences between individual batches of products and to ensure a uniform color of the facade.
Clean tools and equipment should be used for laying clinker and gluing tiles. The workplace should be kept clean and tidy.
All dirt, as well as the solution that has got on the front surface, should be removed immediately with a dry soft brush or clean water using a damp sponge.
Do not perform masonry and facing work during rain and frost. It is unacceptable for the solution to flow out of the seams onto the front surface of the masonry.
Fresh masonry / cladding must be protected from moisture with a film for 14 days in such a way as to ensure free air circulation.

How to properly seal the seams?

For laying bricks and jointing brickwork, you can use the same mortar, if this mortar is intended for laying and jointing at the same time.
The grout should have the consistency of damp earth.
Joints between bricks / tiles should be filled with a jointing trowel, the width of which corresponds to the width of the joint.
The grout must not be rubbed onto the surface of the bricks/tiles as this may cause permanent contamination.
Joints between bricks/tiles should be made from the top to the bottom of the façade. First, horizontal seams are made, then vertical ones.