Innovation Driven
The tile industry is constantly innovating the design and manufacturing techniques used to produce this versatile product.
One of the ‘holy grails’ of tile design is to produce a tile that is smooth to touch, but has anti-slip qualities, combined with the usual features of inert hardness and stain-resistance.
Biomimicry is a practice that learns from and mimics the strategies found in nature to solve human design challenges.
Scientists looked for inspiration in solving this riddle by looking under a microscope at the adhesive pads of frogs and geckos, which allow these animals to have strong contact with wet surfaces.
The surface of their footpads is evenly covered with fibres the dimensions of which decrease as they approach the outer surface, allowing moisture to drain on contact, giving the skin pad grip.
Modern Surface Technology
Tile Technologists discovered that a combination of finely ground silicates and quartz with anti-slip qualities, suspended in the pattern inks sprayed on tiles prior to kilning, produce a similarly effective nano-surface. These tiles have :
- a high slip rating, measured by the pendulum test
- excellent stain resistance
Our new SmoothGrip finish uses the latest nano-surface technology to produce a smooth surface, with a high degree of slip resistance. This new surface provides a durable, tactile, low maintenance finish with aesthetic appeal, without sacrificing safety,
Ref: ANTI-SLIP CERAMIC TILES OBTAINED BY INKJET PRINTING. THE PROBLEM OF CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
Javier Cabedo (1), Susana Carmena (1), Manolo Mateu (1), Carlos Gil (2), Adriana Belda (3), Vicente Sanz (3)(1) Endeka Ceramics, S.A.U., Vall d ́Alba, Castellón, España, (2) Keros Cerámica, S.A., Nules, España(3) Instituto de Tecnología Cerámica-AICE, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón, España
Our Solution
This modern tile technology is available in an ever growing number of Stoneworld ranges, suitable for domestic and light commercial projects.
These tiles inspire the designer in us all, enabling one tile to be used internally in bathrooms, kitchens and lounge rooms and externally on patio’s and around swimming pools. Tiles with SmoothGrip have an amazing aesthetic and smooth tactile feel, with excellent anti-slip qualities. Without the roughness associated with traditional external tiles.
