Frost resistance testing of structural ceramics by means of low-temperature dilatometry

»1 Pore-size distribution of extruded heavy clay products

»2 Scanning electron micrographs of polished sections representing:a-e) extruded products; f, g) dry pressed products

»3 Dilatometer, type DIL 402 C, by Netzsch

»4 Dilatation in a fine-grained ceramic tile, plotted as a function of freeze-thaw cycling

»5 Flexural strength before and after ten freeze-thaw cycles

»6 Cumulative development of damage to a pressed stoneware (fine-grained ceramic) tile (WA = 2%) over 15 freeze-thaw cycles

»7 Evolution of permanent strain in the course of 10 freeze-thaw cycles

»8 Water absorption before and after ten freeze-thaw cycles

»9 Frost-induced damage to a roof tile after 6 freeze-thaw cycles

»10 Correlation between flexural strength and water absorption

This contribution addresses the correlations between the physical properties of structural ceramics and their effects on the frost resistance of such materials. With the aid of low-temperature dilatometry (LTD), the freeze-thaw durability behaviour of various structural ceramic products, including the causal relationship between water absorption (WA) and flexural strength, was investigated and documented for a series of ten freeze-thaw cycles (FTC). The findings indicate that the material suffers gradual microstructural damage, which, on arrival at a critical water absorption level in combination with insufficient structural strength, accumulates to induce frost damage.

1 Introduction

Time and again, ceramic products in outdoor applications suffer frost-induced damage despite standards-compliant product characteristics, successful frost resistance testing and correct installation. Due to the fact that pore water provenly only freezes at temperatures below -4.5° C, reliable certification of structural ceramic products in terms of frost resistance is presently not possible, or only conditionally so, on the basis of presently valid testing standards.

Roof tiles, masonry bricks, clinker bricks/blocks, split tiles, ceramic tiles and similar structural ceramic...

Issue 03/2013

Frost resistance testing of structural ceramics by means of low-temperature dilatometry

1 Introduction

Related articles:

Frost resistance of ceramic building materials – factors of influence, standards and new test methods (Part 1)

Study of the damage mechanisms of building ceramic materials made of synthetic and idealized raw material mixes caused by freeze-thaw cycling with the help of low-temperature dilatometry (FreezeLTDil)

Frost resistance of ceramic building materials – factors of influence, standards and new test methods (Part 2)

Frost resistance testing of structural clay products by means of low-temperature dilatometry

Lucideon invests in new freeze-thaw test rig

1 Introduction

ZI 04/2014

ZI 04/2014

Related articles:

Frost resistance of ceramic building materials – factors of influence, standards and new test methods (Part 1)

Study of the damage mechanisms of building ceramic materials made of synthetic and idealized raw material mixes caused by freeze-thaw cycling with the help of low-temperature dilatometry (FreezeLTDil)

Frost resistance of ceramic building materials – factors of influence, standards and new test methods (Part 2)

Frost resistance testing of structural clay products by means of low-temperature dilatometry

Lucideon invests in new freeze-thaw test rig