Laboratory Tests for Ceramic Process Control and Quality of Ceramic, Glass, Tiles and Bricks

The Laboratory of CENCAL is acknowledged, by IPAC- Portuguese Accreditation Institute as an "Accredited Laboratory" to provide characterization, testing for: Ceramic and Glass Ware, for which it has a team of highly qualified technicians.

The aim of Laboratory's Cencal Quality System is to guaranty the essay performance according to the requirements of the Norm NP EN ISO 17025-2005.

The Laboratory has also an analysis service to help the production process control:

Ceramic Process Control

Those tests range from determination of physical properties such as grading, density, porosity, strength, rheology, mechanical and thermal properties to study product failure or defects, failure mechanisms, inclusions, grain size, surface analysis, degradation and contaminants.

Quality and Performance of Ceramic and Glass Ware Products

A detailed but not comprehensive list of available tests is given below:

• Lead and Cadmium released from ceramic ware
• Microwave safe
• Freezer safe
• Freezer to microwave safe
• Dishwasher safe
• Thermal shock - oven
• Crazing resistance
• Metal marking
• Edge chipping

Quality and Performance of Ceramic Bricks and Tiles

• Dimensions
• Net and gross dry density
• Determination of compressive strength
• Water absorption
• Water absorption by boiling in water
• Teor de sais solúveis activos
• Active soluble salts content
• Moisture movement
• Determination of flexure strength
• Water vapour permeability
• Raw materials characterization
• Chemical resistance
• Lead and cadmium release

1- Tableware:

• Release of Lead and Cadmium (ceramic, glass and other materials hollowware in contact with food)
  EN 1388:1
  EN 1388:2
  ASTM C 738
  ISO 7086-1
  ASTM C 927
  ISO 6486-1
• Test method for the resistance to microwave heating of ceramic, glass, glass-ceramic or plastic cookware - BS EN 15284
• Standard Test Method for Crazing Resistance of Fired Glazed Ceramic Whitewares by a Thermal Shock Method- ASTM C 554.
• Determination of Resistance to Removal of Decorations by Mechanical Dishwasher Detergents- CENCAL 008.

2 - Ceramic Tiles:

• Release of Lead and Cadmium for Ceramic Tiles - NP EN 10545-15

In recent years, the CENCAL intensified the activity of systematic and punctual consulting services, based on specific needs of the client identified by a previous diagnostic, accumulating significant experience in relation to micro, small and medium companies.

The Technical Services of CENCAL also provide consulting services, certificated by 9001-2008 to optimize the potential of companies in the areas:

• Management and Control of Ceramic Processes
• Quality
• Energy
• Environment
• Marketing
• CE Marking

"...Meet the needs of our existing and potential customers..." providing appropriate responses to requests and maintaining the confidentiality of contacts and information processing. The customer is informed when requests testing about the number of samples to send for the laboratory for each type of test, about the time of testing and about price. This price includes the issuing of test reports.

Contacts
Phone: 00351 262 840 110; 00351 262 840 112
Fax: 00351 262842224
email: laboratorio@cencal.pt ; analises@cencal.pt

Address: Rua Luís Caldas, Apartado 39
2504-909 Caldas da Rainha