Assopiastrelle. (Ceramic Tiles at Cersaie).This year marks the 20th anniversary of Cersaie, the international exhibition of ceramic tiles and bathroom furniture which was held at Bologna Bologna (bōlô`nyä), city (1991 pop. 404,378), capital of Emilia-Romagna and of Bologna prov., N central Italy, at the foot of the Apennines and on the Aemilian Way. , Italy, last month. This consistently impressive annual show -- featuring over 1000 exhibitors including 528 ceramic tile manufacturers -- was organized by Assopiastrelle, the Association of Italian Ceramic Tile and Refractory refractory Material that is not deformed or damaged by high temperatures, used to make crucibles, incinerators, insulation, and furnaces, particularly metallurgical furnaces. Manufacturers. Many attractive traditional glazed glaze n. 1. A thin smooth shiny coating. 2. A thin glassy coating of ice. 3. a. A coating of colored, opaque, or transparent material applied to ceramics before firing. b. tiles for kitchens and bathrooms were on view at Cersaie, but it was clear that the significant product of growth is the single-fired porcelain tile Porcelain tiles are ceramic tiles with a water absorption rate of less than 0.5 percent that are used to cover floors and walls. They can either be unglazed or glazed. The hardness of the tile is rated from zero to five according to the Porcelain Enamel Institute scale. . The term porcelain porcelain [Ital. porcellana], white, hard, permanent, nonporous pottery having translucence which is resonant when struck. Porcelain was first made by the Chinese to withstand the great heat generated in certain parts of their kilns. , used in Italy and the rest of Europe, is used to describe a tile which is also known in the UK as fully vitrified -- dry-pressed and single-fired tiles which have a very low water absorption of less than 0.1% -- and very high strength. With properties of frost and abrasion abrasion /abra·sion/ (ah-bra´zhun) 1. a rubbing or scraping off through unusual or abnormal action; see also planing. 2. a rubbed or scraped area on skin or mucous membrane. resistance, these tiles are an ideal floor finish for urban public spaces such as shopping centres, as well as the more domestic market. Many porcelain tiles s een at Cersaie are manufactured to resemble natural stone such as granite, marble or terracotta: Atlas Concorde has even produced a porcelain tile which resembles concrete. A variety of polished, 'flame-textured' or 'honed' finishes are available, together with edge tiles in matching colours and textures. Assopiastrelle has a website -- www.italiatiles.com -- with a useful database for searching through the catalogues of various Italian tile manufacturers. Enquiry 514 www.arplus.com/enq.html |
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