Did you know that there is a classification for ceramic tiles ? This classification is called PEI and
follows a table and is directly linked to the level of abrasion resistance and can be used
when correctly choosing the most suitable product for your purpose and for each type of
environment.

The acronym and abbreviation PEI ( Porcelain Enamel Institute ) is the normative test of ceramic tiles
that aims to evaluate the abrasion resistance (wear of the material) under standardized abrasive load, classifying the products from 0 to 5, with 0 being the least resistant. and 5th for greater wear resistance without allowing the permanent impregnation of dirt.

According to Fernando Silva, manager of the LAbCCB, Centro Cerâmico do Brasil ( CCB ), the PEI
correlates the product’s resistance to human traffic without altering its characteristics. In common sense, the higher the traffic, the more resistant the product is to wear and tear caused by foot traffic on it. “Actually, it only defines the level of wear resistance of the enamel of a ceramic piece, determining its greater or lesser durability in the face of the conditions of use”, he emphasizes.

Also according to the specialist, the abrasion resistance, in the case of floors and coverings, is referred by the PEI and indicates the level of wear resistance of the enamel covering a type of flooring or covering. “It is of paramount importance for the safety of users, it is used to choose the floors according to their respective resistance to the wear of the floors with their respective uses, depending on the traffic in the place, for example (low, medium, moderate and high)” , points out.

Classification of ceramic tiles

Ratings for enameled floor tiles follow their abrasion resistance class and an approximate rating is provided for guidance purposes only (see ISO 10545-7). However, it should not be applied to provide precise product specifications for specific applications.

Also, according to Ceramic lab data, the determination of surface abrasion resistance, commercially known as PEI , consists of rotating in cycles of 100, 150, 600, 750, 1500, 2100, 6000 and 12000, a load formed by steel balls, water and alumina, on the surface of enameled ceramic tiles, to determine in which cycling it is possible to visualize the abrasion. This test method simulates the resistance of enameled floors to the flow of pedestrian traffic.

The abrasion class ( PEI ), contrary to what is commonly practiced in the market, is not intended to rank the quality of ceramic tiles (the higher the better), but rather to determine the place for application, for example: outdoor area or internal, low or high traffic, etc.

This rating is valid for applications under normal conditions. Consideration should be given to footwear, type of traffic and expected cleaning methods, and floors should be adequately protected against abrasive dirt at building entrances by placing shoe cleaning devices.

Specification standards and the relationship with the PEI

This parameter is regulated by the PN-EN ISO 10545-7 standard and determined by counting the number of rotations of the abrasive machine needed to scratch the surface of the plate. Below we present the abrasion classes of ceramic tiles, starting with the most scratch resistant ones.

Class V / PEI 5

PEI 5 tiles are products that withstand more than 12,000 revolutions of the abrasive machine. These are tiles dedicated to the heaviest exploitation – for example in public spaces with high pedestrian density.

Class IV / PEI 4

Class IV defines plates that last from 2100 to 12000 revolutions. PEI 4 tiles can be used anywhere in residential and public buildings. The only limitation are places exposed to the largest exploitation.

Class III / PEI 3

Gres belonging to PEI 3 (turnover from 7,500 to 1,500) is recommended for use in places with a medium degree of use in which shoes are used on a soft sole. Class III is divided into so-called strong and weak three. The strong three, or PEI 3/1500, is dedicated to home rooms that are used to a greater extent – for example, corridors or kitchens. Poor three, or PEI 3/750, are successfully used to lay floors in bedrooms, bathrooms or living rooms.

Class II / PEI 2

PEI 2 tiles withstand 600 turns of the abrasive machine. They are used in rooms that are used to a small extent, in which they walk in soft shoes. Ceramic tiles made of PEI 2 can be used in living rooms, living rooms and bathrooms.

Class I / PEI 1

Class I is defined by PEI 1 tiles used in barefoot or soft sole shoes. They withstand 150 turns of the abrasive machine and are exposed to mechanical damage.

Class 0 / PEI 0

The number of rotations that are sufficient to scratch the surface oscillates around 100. Tiles of this class are used only for laying on the walls.