WSU - Material Science: Ceramic Tiles, Defects & Solutions Analysis

This report provides an individual investigation of ceramic tiles as a construction material, examining their properties, functions, and common defects. It highlights key properties such as slip resistance, frost resistance, and water absorption, and discusses the functions of ceramic tiles in maintaining hygiene, providing slip resistance, and protecting buildings from fire and extreme temperatures. The report focuses on a specific defect known as a corner defect, its causes, and potential solutions, including repair methods using epoxy or adhesives and preventative measures. The analysis is supported by photographs and references to relevant literature, offering a comprehensive assessment of ceramic tiles in construction. Desklib provides access to similar reports and study resources for students.

Material Science in Construction 1
AN INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION OF A MATERIAL USED IN CONSTRUCTION
A Research Paper on Construction Material By
Student’s Name
Name of the Professor
Institutional Affiliation
City/State
Year/Month/Day

Material Science in Construction 2
INTRODUCTION
This research paper evaluates a material used in construction by considering the
properties of the materials in the structure, the function of the material in construction, and the
defects that the construction materials have. The construction material under consideration is the
ceramic tiles used in the construction of the wall shown in figure 1 below, and the defect
observed in figure 2 below is known as corner defect.
Properties of the Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles are fabricated by the use of heating and cooling process of clay and natural
minerals. The appearance and texture desired can be attained since these tiles are available in
huge range of shapes, finishes, textures, colours, and sizes.
Figure 1: Ceramic Tiles
Some of the properties of ceramic tiles construction material include slip resistance, frost
resistance, water absorption, dirt resistance, and durability which are very significant for
maintenance, future life, and usages point of view. This construction material absorbs water
easily due to its porosity making it have less frost resistance. This characteristics of water
absorption make it very delicate since it can get damaged easily (Bridge, 2011). The ceramic
tiles are also stained and chemical resistant since this property entirely depends on the ability of

Material Science in Construction 3
the tiles to absorb moisture. These tiles are highly resistant to any chemical agents especially
acids and alkaline.
The surfaces of the ceramic tiles do no retain any liquids or absorb smoke, odours, or
fumes making these construction materials to be very hygienic. These tiles are also easy to clean
and assist in attaining good hygiene. These features make the ceramic tiles to be suitable for any
environment where hygiene is very essential such as bathroom or kitchen. The ceramic tiles are
also heat resistant since it has the low conductivity of electricity, poor thermal expansion, and
low thermal conductivity (Varghese, 2009). These construction materials are also fire resistant
and are fireproof at any temperature. The surfaces of the ceramics will not alter or produce toxic
fumes, smoke, or gases when there is the occurrence of fire in the building. This construction
material is also suitable for protecting the structural surfaces of the building during fire incidence
(Buehl, 2009).
Unglazed ceramic tiles have great resistance to slip compared to the glazed ceramic tiles
and are normally recommended for sections subjected to high spillage of water. Numerous
unglazed and glazed ceramic tiles also feature an abrasive grit on their surface, this promotes
significantly the slip resistance. These features make the ceramic tiles suitable for public areas
with direct outdoor access and also in bathrooms where chances of slip are high. These ceramic
tiles have colour permanence even if exposed to direct sunlight or even fade (Hinks, 2010).
Functions of Ceramic Tiles
These ceramic tiles do not retain residues or dust as easily as numerous construction
materials and can be cleaned with common materials in the household such as brooms. This
makes the house to be always presentable and clean after cleaning the tiles. The unglazed and

Material Science in Construction 4
glazed ceramic tiles help in slip resistance by providing abrasive grit on the surface to prevent a
person from slipping. This is one of the reasons why this construction material is used in the
flooring of bathrooms where there are high chances of the floor becoming slippery due to the
detergents used in bathing (Usman, 2015). The ceramic tiles can also help in protecting the
building from fire when used as a construction material on walls of the house. This is because the
surfaces of the ceramics will not alter or produce toxic fumes, smoke, or gases when there is the
occurrence of fire in the building (Hornbostel, 2009).
These ceramic tile construction material also protect the building from extreme
temperatures due to the poor and low thermal expansion and low thermal conductivity. This will
reduce the expenditure spent on air conditioning. These ceramic tiles ensure neatness and proper
hygiene of the house since the surfaces of the ceramic tiles do no retain any liquids or absorb
smoke, odours, or fumes making these construction materials to be very hygienic. These tiles are
also easy to clean and assist in attaining good hygiene. The ceramic tiles also play a significant
role in ensuring that the flooring surface is always dry. This is very important in case of places
where there are a lot of frost and heavy rains that cover the buildings and its environs (Neo,
2011).
Corner Defect in Ceramic Tiles
Corner defect is a type of defect that can be characterized by breaking of edges of the
ceramic tile construction materials. This type of defect is caused by a heavy object falling on the
ceramic tiles especially on the edges or corner of the ceramic tiles resulting in breaking of the
edges. The edges of the ceramic tiles are normally the most vulnerable section of the ceramic
tiles and it is expected that the tiles will break despite ceramic being a strong construction

Material Science in Construction 5
material resulting in corner defect (Nikles, 2012). The figure below shows the corner defect on
the ceramic tiles:
Figure 2: Corner defect on ceramic tiles
Some of the objects found in the households or offices that are likely to fall on the edges
of the ceramic tiles to cause corner defect on the ceramic tiles include office furniture,
equipment, electronics, and lose construction materials. The corner defect on the ceramic tiles
can also be caused by dragging heavy objects over the tiles. Dragging of these objects on the
ceramic tiles are expected to weaken the ceramic tiles and may result in breaking the edges of the
ceramics since they are normally the weakest points of the tiles (Pichniarczyk, 2015).
Solution
The broken part of the ceramic tiles can be repaired by filling the broken section by
epoxy or adhesives. The type of epoxy or adhesive used in filling the broken edges of the
ceramic tiles should have a similar style and colour to the other ceramic tiles surrounding other
sections of the floor. This is because when epoxy or adhesive of different style and colour are
used, there will be a mismatch and the aesthetic beauty of the ceramic tiles will be lost. In case

Material Science in Construction 6
the broken edges of the ceramic tiles are not completed broken but just cracked, they can be
rectified by using nail paint to fill the cracked edges of the ceramic tiles (Society, 2012).
The corner defect on ceramic tiles can be prevented in future by carefully carrying the
heavy objects when moving them from one place to another within the room and ensuring that all
the construction materials are kept on the surface and not hugged above the ceiling. There are
instances when the corner defect can extend to cover the entire piece of ceramic tile especially
when the broken part is not rectified and the crack increases or when the object is very heavy.
Under this condition, there is need of replacing the entire ceramic tile with another one with
similar design and colour after removing the defected tile (Troxell, 2009).
Conclusion
This research paper assesses a material used in construction by considering the properties
of the materials in the structure, the function of the material in construction, and the defects that
the construction materials have. Some of the properties of ceramic tiles construction material
include slip resistance, frost resistance, water absorption, dirt resistance, and durability which are
very significant for maintenance, future life, and usages point of view. Corner defect is a type of
defect that can be characterized by breaking of edges of the ceramic tile construction materials.
This type of defect is caused by a heavy object falling on the ceramic tiles especially on the
edges or corner of the ceramic tiles resulting in breaking of the edges. The broken part of the
ceramic tiles can be repaired by filling the broken section by epoxy or adhesives.

Material Science in Construction 7
Bibliography
Bridge, J., 2011. Ceramic Tile Setting. Perth: McGraw Hill Professional.
Buehl, O., 2009. Tiles: Choosing, Designing, and Living with Ceramic Tile. London: C. Potter.
Hinks, J., 2010. The Technology of Building Defects. Melbourne: Routledge.
Hornbostel, C., 2009. Construction Materials: Types, Uses and Applications. Perth: John Wiley & Sons.
Neo, M., 2011. Construction Defects. London: Sweet & Maxwell Asia.
Nikles, R., 2012. Construction Defects. Toledo: Forum on the Construction Industry, American Bar
Association.
Pichniarczyk, P., 2015. Properties of Ceramic Tile Adhesives Modified by Different Viscosity
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose. Melbourne: Elsevier Limited.
Society, C., 2012. Advanced Ceramic Technologies & Products. Colorado: Springer Science & Business
Media.
Troxell, E., 2009. An Introduction to the Making and Testing of Plain Concrete. Melbourne: Stanford
University Press.
Usman, H., 2015. Mechanical Properties of Ceramic Tiles by Replacement of Quartz by RHA and POFA.
Malaysia: Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia.
Varghese, P., 2009. Materials Building. Melbourne: PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.