Cement Concrete Flooring Tiles - Specification
2012 Edition

IS 1237 (2012) defines the specifications for three main types of cement concrete flooring tiles: plain cement tiles without any added colour, plain coloured tiles incorporating colouring agents, and terrazzo tiles which include marble or similar chips for decorative effects. These tiles are manufactured by blending cement, natural aggregates, and optional colouring materials. The production methods include pressure application (minimum 14 N/mm²), vibration, or a combination thereof, sometimes with vacuum dewatering to enhance tile quality and durability.

Per IS 1237 Clause 8.3.1 (Table 2), the minimum wearing layer thickness for double layer cement concrete tiles varies by tile type and application: general purpose plain cement and coloured tiles require at least 5 mm, terrazzo tiles with chips up to 6 mm and 12 mm also require 5 mm, while terrazzo tiles with chips up to 20 mm and heavy-duty plain or terrazzo tiles necessitate a minimum of 6 mm. Thickness measurements are averaged from the two lowest points along the fracture line after wet transverse strength testing, ensuring adequate durability and performance.

IS 1237 permits various cements including 33, 43, and 53 grade Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) as per IS 269, IS 8112, and IS 12269 respectively, Portland Pozzolana Cement types (fly ash and calcined clay based), Portland Slag Cement (IS 455), Rapid Hardening Portland Cement (IS 8041), and White Portland Cement (IS 8042). Aggregates for the backing layer must conform to IS 383 standards, typically comprising natural sand, gravel, or crushed stone. For the wearing layer, marble chips or natural stone chips with comparable hardness, along with marble or dolomite powder, are used to ensure strength and aesthetic finish.

The abrasion resistance test under IS 1237 involves mounting the tile specimen with the test surface facing a rotating disc at 30 rpm, applying a 300 N load centrally. Twenty grams of abrasive powder is evenly spread on the disc's path and replenished after every 22 revolutions, with the specimen rotated 90° clockwise nine times, totaling 220 revolutions. The test specimen, abrasive powder, and disc remain dry throughout. Measurements of weight and thickness before and after testing are taken with ±0.1 g accuracy, and any specimen showing chipping is discarded. This procedure ensures a consistent and reproducible assessment of abrasion durability.

According to IS 1237, tile consignments are divided into lots, from which samples are randomly selected following IS 4905 guidelines. Sample size and acceptance criteria are based on Inspection Level I with an Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) of 6.5%, as per IS 2500 (Part 1). Thickness tolerance allows a positive variation of up to 15% of the minimum thickness, with no negative tolerance permitted, and the thickness variation within a sample should not exceed 10%. Lots are accepted if the number of defective tiles does not exceed the acceptance number; otherwise, they are rejected. These procedures ensure consistent quality control during production.