1. Strength and stability
Ceramic tile's water absorption has a significant impact on its strength and stability. Ceramic tile's low water absorption means that its internal structure is relatively dense. When the water absorption rate is low, it is difficult for external moisture to penetrate into the interior of the Ceramic tile. When subjected to external forces, the interior of the Ceramic tile is less likely to cause stress concentration due to the presence of moisture. For example, when using Ceramic tiles on the ground, Ceramic tiles with low water absorption can better withstand the heavy pressure of furniture and the friction of people walking around, and are less prone to problems such as cracking and deformation. Ceramic tiles with high water absorption rates have more pores inside that can absorb moisture. When Ceramic tiles get damp or soaked in water, water fills the pores and makes the structure of Ceramic tiles loose, thereby reducing its mechanical strength. It is more susceptible to damage when subjected to a certain amount of pressure.
2. Anti-fouling and cleaning aspects
Water absorption has a greater impact on the stain resistance of Ceramic tiles. The surface of Ceramic tile with low water absorption is relatively smooth and has few pores. It is difficult for stains to penetrate into the interior of Ceramic tile. Most of the dust, oil and other stains in daily use only adhere to the surface of Ceramic tile, which makes it easier to clean. As for Ceramic tiles with high water absorption, stains may be sucked into the interior of the Ceramic tiles along with the water, causing deep contamination. For example, if the ceramic tile in the kitchen has a high water absorption rate, once the oil stains during cooking penetrate into the interior of the ceramic tile, it will be difficult to completely remove. Over time, it will affect the overall beauty and hygiene of the kitchen.
3. Antifreeze and durability
For Ceramic tiles used in cold areas or outdoors, water absorption is critical to its frost resistance. Ceramic tiles with low water absorption have less internal moisture content in low-temperature environments. When the temperature decreases, the damage stress caused by water freezing and expansion is small. On the contrary, Ceramic tiles with high water absorption rates contain a lot of water inside. Once the temperature drops, the volume of water freezes and expands, which will cause serious damage to the internal structure of Ceramic tiles, causing the surface of Ceramic tiles to peel and crack, seriously affecting the quality of Ceramic tiles. durability, shortening its service life.
4. Combination with bonding materials
The water absorption rate of Ceramic tile will also affect its bonding effect with bonding materials (such as Ceramic tile glue, cement mortar, etc.). For Ceramic tiles with low water absorption, it is difficult for the bonding material to penetrate into the interior of the Ceramic tile to form a good mechanical anchor. Therefore, special bonding materials or special surface treatments are required to ensure a strong bond. For Ceramic tiles with high water absorption, the bonding material may excessively penetrate into the interior of the Ceramic tile. On the one hand, it may lead to insufficient bonding material on the surface of the Ceramic tile. On the other hand, it may cause hollowing due to inconsistent drying shrinkage, affecting the Ceramic tile paving. The quality of the patch and the safety of use.
