In recent years, ceramic tiles have seen a real revolution in their use, radically changing the concept of tile itself which, initially seen as a commodity, now means a material able to combine great aesthetic impact and top-level technical performance. Protagonists of this change in addition to digital decoration are large size tiles and surface finishing treatments including honing and polishing. Porcelain tiles are characterized by outstanding technical performance such as mechanical and chemical resistance, durability and excellent stain resistance. If the product undergoes polishing, the cleanability of the ceramic is often less performing. This is because polishing and, to a lesser extent, honing treatments remove a few microns of the surface layer thus opening the “micro-porosity” typical of glazed and technical porcelain tiles. If not adequately protected these uneven areas are easily attacked by dirt and chemical-physical agents compromising the integrity of the product.
Smaltochimica has developed SMALTOCLEAN, a complete line of products for the treatment of honed and polished surfaces capable of restoring stain resistance performance and reducing sensitivity to chemicals typical of porcelain tiles.
The range includes:
• an acid pickling agent necessary to prepare the surface by removing the residue left by previous honing and creating micro-roughness that guarantees excellent adhesion of subsequent treatments;
• some colloidal-based treatments which fill and seal open porosities;
• a series of dyes that can be added to protective treatments to enhance the finishing of dark products;
• some innovative formulations capable of producing a post-vitrification process in a slim thickness which restores the integrity of the surface compromised by polishing treatments.
SMALTOCLEAN products significantly improve the resistance to coloured, acid and basic stains on the treated surface without leaving rims or altering its shine and gloss.