~ 3404589 0000414 9 ~~

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 122

January 1984
NORME EUROPEENNE
EUROPAISCHE NORM

UDC 691.434-413:620.193.4
Key words: tiles, cgating slabs, ceremlc coatings, enamels, tests, environmental tests, chemical resistance, upkeeping products,
classlfle11tlon, test equipment

English version

Ceramic tiles
Determination of chemical resistance
Glazed tiles

Carreaux et dalles ceramiques Keramische Fliesen und Platten

Determination de Ia resistance chimique Bestimmung der chemischen Bestandigkeit
Carreaux ~mallles Glasierte Fliesen und Platten

This European Standard was accepted by CEN on 1982·06·03. CEN members are bound to comply with the
requirements of CEN Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of
a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to
the CEN Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made
by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member Into Its own language and notified to CEN Central Secretariat·
has the same status as the official versions,
CEN members are the national standards organizations of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

CEN
European Committee for Standardization
Comite Europeen de Normalisation
Europaisches Komitee fur Normung

Central Secretariat: rue Brederode 2, 8·1000 Brussels

©CEN 1984
Copyright reserved to all CEN members
Ref. No. EN 122: 1984 E
 EN 122·-'

Contents Page Page

National foreword Inside front cover 6. Procedure 4

Brief history 2 7. Classification of results 4
National appendix A Inside back cover B. Test report 5
National appendix B Inside back cover
Cooperating organizations Back. cover Table
1. Classification by staining test 4
Method
1. Obj11ct and field of application 3 Figures
2. Principle s 1. Example of an experimental arrangemenHor
3. Aqueous test solutions 3 the tests described in 2.2 3
4. Apparatus 4 2. Classification scheme for tests with household
6. Test specimen& 4 chemicals, swimming pool salts, acids and alkalis 6

National foreword
This Part of this Bridsh Standard has been prepared under the direction of the Clay Products Standards Committee and is
the English language version of EN 122 'Ceramic tiles. Determination of chemical resistance. Glazed tlles' published by the
European Committee for Standardization ICEN).
EN 122 was produced as a result of international discussion in which the UK took an active part.
Attention Is drawn to the use In this standard of the comma as a dectma1 marker. This is to accord with European practice,
but it should be noted that it Is current practice in British Standards to use a full point on the baseline as a decimal marker.

CompllancQ with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations.
EN 122 Page 2 CEN EN*122 84 II 3404589 0000416 2 . .

Brief history
This European Standard was drawn up by the Technical
Committee CEN/TC 67 'Ceramic tiles', the Secretariat of
which is held by UN I.
This European Standard was adopted by CEN on the
strength of Its acceptance by the following Member
countries:
Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands,
Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom,
 EtN EN*122 84 • 3404589 0000417 4 •
EN 122 Page 3

1. Object and field of application 3.2 Household chemicals

This European Standard defines a method of test for Ammonium chloride solution, tOO g/1
determining the chemical resistance of the surface of the Standard cleaning agent solution, prepared from:
glaze of cer~mic tiles at room temperature.
Anhydrous sodium carbonote 33% (m/m)
The method is applicable to all glazed ceramic tiles except Sodium perborate 7% (m/m}
that the pencil test is only applied to glazes from which Sodium silicate solution of
pencil m~rks can be removed by means of a dry cloth. density 1,33 g/cm3 7 % (m/m)
Where the pencil test is not applicable, the glazes can be Commercial sodium oleate soap flakes 30% (m/m)
classified by the change In appearance resulting from (The soap may be prepared from concentrated
chemical action. sodium hydroxide solution and oleic acid in the
The stain test is not applicable to tiles described as proportions of 2,6 g to 18,5 g respectively.)
part glazed. Dirtifled water or deionized water, 23 %
100 g of this standard cleaning agent contains 70 g of
2. Principle dry substance. Use in a concentration of 10 g dry
2.1 For testing the resistance to staining, the test solutions substance per litre. The test solution should be prepared
are allowed to drop on and dry and then the test surfaces immediately before use.
are inspected for visual changes. 3.3 Swimming pool salts
2.2 For testing the resistance to household chemicals, Sodium hypochlorite solution, 20 mg/1, prepared from
swimming pool salts and citric acid, part of tha glazed technical grade sodium hypochlorite with about 13 %
surface Is subjected to the action of the test solution for active chlorine.
6 hand then inspected far visual changes.
Copper sufphllte solution, 20 mg/1
For testing the resistance of hydrochloric acid and
potassium hydroxide the procedure Is similar except that 3.4 Acids
the period of test is 7 days, Hydrochloric acid Bolution, 3 % (VN), prepared from
concentrated hydrochloric acid (d"E!!. 1, 19)
3. Aqueous test solutions Citric add solution, 1DO g/1
3.1 Stains 3.5 Alkalis
Methylene blue solution, 10 g/1 Potassium hydroxyde solution, 30 g/1.
Potassium permanganate solution, 1 0 g/1

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Dimensions In millimetras.

Figure 1. Example of an experimental arrangement for the tests des~:cribed in 2.2

 EN 122 Page 4
4. Apparatus
4.1 A cylinder, of borosilicate glass 3.3 (ISO 3585) or any
other suitable material having a lid or an opening for filling.
The bottom edge of the cylinder shall be ground flat and
perpendicular to the vertical axis of the cylinder.
Variations from the experimental arrangement are
permitted In order to accommodate different si2es of tiles.
4.2 Sealing material (for example plasticine).
4.3 Cloth, of white cotton or flax.
4.4 Pencil, HB hardness {or equivalent).
4.6 Electric lamp, 40 W, inside white (for example
slllconlzed).
5. Test specimens
5.1 Size of test specimens. For t'Csting according to 2.2,
undamaged test specimens shall be used and they shall
consist of either whole tile$ or parts of tiles.
5.2 Number of test 'flecimens. Five test specimens shall
be used with each test solution.
5.3 Preparation of test specimens. Thoroughly clean the
glazed surfncc with a suitable solvent, for example
methanol. Test specimens with surface defects shall be
excluded from the test.
6. Procedure
6.1 Application oftcst solutions
6.1.1 Testing in accordBnce with 2.1. Allow 3 or 4 drops of
each of the test solutions specified in clause 3 to fall on a
fresh part of the test specimen. Place an approximately
30 mm diameter convex watch gloss on the applied drop in
order to spread it to an approximately circular area.
Allow to remain for 24 h and then rinse the surface with
running water and wipe with a damp cloth. If a stain
remains, thoroughly clean with a solution of the standard
cleaning agent.
6.1.2 Te$ting in ar;cordarlce with 2.2. Apply a uniform
layer of the sealing material, "" 3 mm t hick, to the rim of
the cylinder. Turn t he cylinder upside down on to a fresh
part of the glazed surface as shown in figure 1 and seal
around the rim.
Pour the test solution through the inlet to a height of
20 ± 1 mm. Maintain the test assembly at 20 :1: 2 "c.
For testing resistance to household chemicals, swimming
pool salts and citric acid, maintain the tost solution in
contact with the test specimen for 6 h. Remove the
cylinder and cloan tho glazed surface with a grease solvent,
For t!!sting resistance to hydrochloric acid and pota~slum
hydroxide, maintain the test solution In contact with the
test specimen for 7 days.
Shake the test assembly gently o nce a day and ensure that
the level of the test solution does not change. Replace the
test solution after 4 days. After 3 more days, remove the
cylinder and clean the gla<:ed surface with 11 grease solvent.
6.2 De1ermination dter procedure in accordance with 6.1.2
6.2.1 General. The Sll rface that has been tested has to be
completely dry before assessment can commence. In order
to assess whether the pencil test is applicable, draw several
·lines with an HB pencil on untreated parts of the glazed
sunaces and attempt to remove the nmrks with a dry cloth.
If the pencil marks cannot be removed the test specimens
shall only be assessed visually and the classification scheme
of figure 2 Is not applicable.
For all other test specimens, the assessment shall be carried
out according to 6.2.2 to 6.2.4.
6.2.2 Initial visual examination. Examine the surface that
has been tested from ali angles from a standard distance of
250 mm with the naked eye , with the aid of spectacles if
usually worn, for any difference in appearance from an
untreated 5urface, for example, for change In reflection or
the development of brilliance. ·
The Illumination is permitted to be artificial or d11ylight,
but direct sunlight shall be avoided.
After examination, if there is no visible effect, perform the
pencil test (6.2.3). If there is a visible effect, perform the
reflection test (6.2.4).
6.2.3 Prmcil test. Draw several lines with an HB pencil,
both on the surface under test and on the untreated surface.
Attempt to remove the pencil lines by means of a soft dry
cloth. If removed, the surface corresponds to cless AA.
If not removed, attempt to remove with a soft damp cloth
which has been dampened by dipping in dist illed or
deionized water and then wringing out. If removed,
the surface corresponds to class A; if not removed ,
to class B.
6.2.4 Reflection test. Hold the tile In such a manner that
the image of the lamp is reflected on the untreated surface.
The angle of incidence of the light upon the surf11ce shall
ba approximately 45 ° and the distance between the tile
and the light source shall be 350 ± 100 mm.
The criterion of judgment shall be the sharpness of the
reflection and not the brightness of the surface. Position
the tile so that the Image falls simultaneously on both
treated and untreated parts and determine whether it is
any less clear on the t reated part.
This test cunnot be applied to certain glazes, in particular
those which are dull.
If the reflection is clear, perform the pencil test with damp
wiping. If the lines are removed, the surface corresponds
to class A; if not removed, to class B.
If the reflection is blurred, but does not disappear ·
completely, the classiiication is C and if the image dis·
appears completely, the classification is D_
7. Classification of results
7.1 Classification by staining te;t. In consequence of the
procedure with stain solutions, which has been performed
in accordance with 6.1.1, glazes are divided into three
classes given in table 1. Record the result for each test
specimen with each stain solution.
Table 1. Classification by staining test
Test solution Obstlrvation Clus
Methylene blue Stain removed by water 1
.Stain removed by
cleaning agent 2
Potassium
permanganate
Stain not removed 3
 CEN EN*1.2a·· 84 • 3 404 589 00001:!19 8 •
7.2 Classification by testing with household chemicals,
swimming pool salts, acids and alkalis
7.2.1 Assessment in accordance with figure 2. In conse-
quence of the determinations with household chemicals,
swimming pool salts-, acids and alkalis performed In
accordance with 6.1.2, glazes are divided into several
classes as given In the scheme shown In figure 2. Record
the result for oach test specimen with each test solution.
ClaSS8s of resistance
AA Resistant
A Less resistant than AA but mar~ resists nt than B
B Less resistant than A but more resistant than C
C Less rcsista nt than B
D Not rasista nt
7.2.2 Assessment not in accordance with figum 2.
In consequence o( the determinations with household
chemicals, swimming pool salts, acids and alkalis
performed in accordance with 6.1.2, glazes ore divided
into several classes as assessed visually. These are glazes
EN 122 Page 5
for which the pencil test and/or the reflection test are
not applicable. Record the result for each test specimen
with each test solution.
Cluaes of ruiatance
AA No visible effect
A Slight change in appearance
B Definite change In appearance
C Partial loss of the original surface
D Complete Iass of the original surface
8. Testreport
Report with reference to this European Standard;
(a) a description of the tiles;
(b) the test solutions;
(c) visual changes as a result of tests specified in
clause 6;
(d) the classification for each test solution and for
each test specimen according to clause 7.
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Visible examination .....
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no visible effect visible effect (Q
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0)

HB pencil test
Dry wiping Reflection test

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Removed Not removed Clear
t

HB pencil test
~---,
damp wiping

The image does not The image disappears

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Removed
l
Not removed
disappear completely completely

Class AA Class A Class B Class C Class D

Figure 2. Classification scheme for tests with household chemicals, swim mill!! pool salts, at:ids and alkalis
EN 122

National appendix A
The United Kingdom participation in the preparation of this European Standard was entrusted by the Clay Products
Standards Committee [CLB/-l to Technical Committee CLB/2 upon which the following bodies were represented:
British Ceramic Research Association
British Ceramic Til a Council
British Standards Society
Builders' Merchants' Federation
Incorporated Association of Architects and Survoyors
National Federation of Building Trades Employers
National Federation of Clay Industries
National Master Tile Fixers' Association
National Tile, Faience and Mosaic Fixers' Society
Refractories Association of Great Britain
Royal Institute of British Architects

National appendix B
The British Standard corresponding to the ISO Standard referred to in the text is as follows:
ISO Standard British standard
ISO 3585 : 1976 BS 2598 Glass plant. pipeline and fittings
Part 1 : 1980 Specificat'1on for properties of borosilicate glass 3.3
(Identical)

For information about BSI services relating to third party certification to suitable British Standard product specifications, schemes
tor the registration of firms of assessed capability. testing and inspection facilities, please contact the Director, Quality As sura nee
Division, BSI, Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 4SO. TeL He mel Hempstead 3111.