Specification & Countertop Performance
| Technical Performance | |
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Due to the unrivalled technical performance of porcelain, high temperatures and sudden thermal changes do not affect the surface, so hot pots and pans can be safely placed on its surface. Porcelain tile surfaces are resistant to high temperatures and thermal shock in accordance with European Standard EN14617, to wet heat in line with European Standard EN12721, and to dry heat in line with European Standard EN12722. |
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Kitchen countertops need to perform under extreme conditions. They are constantly exposed to potential scratches and scores from sharp or pointed tools. It is under these intensive conditions that porcelain excels, exhibiting one of the hardest surfaces available on the market, and maintaining a perfect surface that will not fade, or discolour or deteriorate over time. And where wood, laminate and quartz countertops suffer continual damage from scratching, porcelain’s tough surface can withstand daily wear and tear. |
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Scientific evidence has demonstrated that porous materials foster bacterial proliferation more than non-porous materials. As porcelain is a compact, non-porous material, it is particularly suitable for food preparation surfaces in the kitchen, and other situations sensitive to hygiene. Porcelain is also NSF certified, meeting the highest standards for safety, quality, sustainability or performance. |
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Porcelain is extremely compact and non-porous, not allowing liquid or air to pass through it. This makes it the ideal choice for kitchen countertops. As the material is impenetrable, even the most difficult stains can be easily removed: not only oil, wine, sauces and coffee, but also acidic substances such as lemon, vinegar or residues of detergents. These substances can be easily wiped off without the use of chemical products. This reduces the environmental impact further as chemical products are no longer required. View more in the video below.
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Cooking Top Applications
High performance porcelain stoneware countertops have been designed to perform under extreme conditions suitable for all cooking top technologies.
Invisible Induction Hob
Porcelain countertops are suitable for Invisacook induction hobs that are installed just below the kitchen countertop surface. Cooking pans are heated through the surface of the countertop via induction. This provides a cleaner, uninterrupted surface and the largest available cooking area. The perfect combination of innovative technology with luxury design.
Invisible Induction Hob
Downdraft Hidden Extractor
Kitchen designers are free to specify virtually any configuration and cook-top layout. Countertops can be provisioned with cut‑outs for virtually any pre-installed accessory. Motorised downdraft extractor fans are a stylish addition, hidden away inside the countertop to keep your kitchen clutter-free.
Downdraft Hidden Extracto
Integrated Gas Burners
Elevate the kitchen design with individual gas burners seamlessly integrated into the worktop. Featuring cast iron
pot carriers, these burners combine contemporary style with professional-grade functionality. Their versatile layout options provide tailored configurations for modern kitchen designers seeking originality.
Integrated Gas Burners
Integrated Wireless Charging
Custom countertops can be specified with a Mastercharge Invisible® fast-charge hidden induction charger that has been designed and developed to be pre-installed to the underside of our porcelain worktops, with no visible sign or performance implications.
Integrated Wireless Charging
| Dimensions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 6mm | 12mm | 20mm | |
| Dimensions (cm) | 320 x 160 | 320 x 160 | 320 x 160 |
| Thickness (mm) | 6 | 12 | 20 |
| Weight | 14 kg per m2 | 28 kg per m2 | 47 kg per m2 |
| Rectified | |||
| Specification | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Test Method | Required Value | Result | |
| Water absorption | ISO 10545-3 | ≤ 0.5 % | TM12: 0.02% TM6 Natural: 0.03% – 0.06% TM6 Polished: 0.05% – 0.08% |
| Deep abrasion resistance | ISO 10545-6 | ≤ 175 mm³ | TM6: 140 mm³ TM12: 127mm³ |
| Stain resistance | ISO 10545-14 | Testing method available | Class 5 (Resistant to stain) |
| Resistance to chemical products | ISO 10545-13 | Minimum Class B | Conforms |
| Resistance to thermal shocks | ISO 10545-9 | Testing method available | Resistant |
| Frost resistance | ISO 10545-12 | No sample must show alterations to surface | Frost proof |
| Glossary of terms | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| This glossary serves as a reference for the technical data listed above and contains data provided by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). | |||
| Water absorption | ISO 10545-3 | ||
| Low Density Dry pressed tile with a water absorption rate of more than 7% |
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| Medium Density Dry pressed tile with a water absorption rate between 3% and 7% |
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| High Density Dry pressed tile with a water absorption rate between 0.5% and 3% |
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| Extreme Density Dry pressed tile with water absorption of 0.5% or less. This is where porcelain stoneware is categorised. |
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| Deep abrasion resistance | ISO 10545-6 | ||
| This is a scale of hardness ranging from 1 to 10 used to determine a material’s scratch resistance. The Mohs scale uses ten fairly common minerals of known hardness and gives each of them a relative value of 1-10. Each mineral in the scale will scratch those with lesser values and will not scratch those with higher values. Porcelain stoneware is considered to have a Mohs rating of 8. | |||
| Mohs scale | Mineral | Countertop surface | |
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 |
Talc Gypsum Calcite Fluorite Apatite Feldspar Quartz Topaz Corundum Diamond |
Vinyl Wood countertops Marble countertops, Laminate countertops Marble countertops, Bauxite countertops (Corian) Granite countertops Granite countertops, Stainless steel blade Quartz or Quartzite countertops Porcelain countertops No countertop is this hard No countertop is this hard |
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| Stain resistance | ISO 10545-14 | ||
| This test measures the resistance to staining of a surface. Staining tests are achieved by prolonged exposure of the surface to test solutions and dry staining agents. The surface is visually evaluated after the staining agent has been cleaned off using a combination of cleaning procedures. | |||
| Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5 |
Stain is not removed The stain is removed using solvent, such as acetone The stain is removed using a strong commercial cleaning agent The stain is removed using a weak commercial cleaning agent The stain is removed using hot water |
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| Frost resistance | ISO 10545-12 | ||
| Frost resistance determines whether or not a tile is suitable for outdoor applications in colder climates. When a tile absorbs a large quantity of water and the volume increases from freezing, the tile can break. This test consists of soaking the tiles in water and subjecting them to temperature cycles from +51˚C to -51˚C (+123.8˚F to -59.8˚F). All sides of the tiles are exposed to freezing over 100 freeze-thaw cycles. | |||
Outdoor Countertops