You have probably seen wall tiles in particular marked "With Engobe". But what does this actually mean?
Wall tiles don't need to be particularly hard wearing as they are not really exposed to wear at all, other than normal cleaning. But a side effect of using softer ceramics is of course that the tiles tend to be more porous and thus more water absorbent. Of course this is not desirable for splashbacks say, in a kitchen or bathroom. What manufacturers do then is coat the bisque or body of the tile with a separate liquid coating called an engobe.
An engobe is a non-glaze slip. The word "slip" is used to describe any clay in liquid form. All slips and engobes can also be coloured with oxides, carbonates and stains.
Typically, the slip is applied to the raw tile body, prior to applying the glaze. For example a white engobe is frequently applied to red porcelain tile bodies before the glaze is applied. Critically the slip (engobe) must be compatible in terms of drying and firing times and thermal expansion with the underlying tile body and the glaze. Failure to achieve this can result in "cracking", when the engobe shrinks more than the clay underneath, or "shivering" when the clay underneath shrinks more than the engobe on top. Glazes and engobes both shrink because they contain clay. Engobes are more ‘clay-like’ so they readily adhere to the tile body. This process is widely used in porcelain tile production.
Engobes have an intermediate composition between bodies and glazes. Their purpose is to hide the color of the ceramic body and eliminate reactions and associated defects caused by the direct contact between glaze and body.
All engobes have 2 primary characteristics (compared to glazes):
Wall tiles don't need to be particularly hard wearing as they are not really exposed to wear at all, other than normal cleaning. But a side effect of using softer ceramics is of course that the tiles tend to be more porous and thus more water absorbent. Of course this is not desirable for splashbacks say, in a kitchen or bathroom. What manufacturers do then is coat the bisque or body of the tile with a separate liquid coating called an engobe.
An engobe is a non-glaze slip. The word "slip" is used to describe any clay in liquid form. All slips and engobes can also be coloured with oxides, carbonates and stains.
Typically, the slip is applied to the raw tile body, prior to applying the glaze. For example a white engobe is frequently applied to red porcelain tile bodies before the glaze is applied. Critically the slip (engobe) must be compatible in terms of drying and firing times and thermal expansion with the underlying tile body and the glaze. Failure to achieve this can result in "cracking", when the engobe shrinks more than the clay underneath, or "shivering" when the clay underneath shrinks more than the engobe on top. Glazes and engobes both shrink because they contain clay. Engobes are more ‘clay-like’ so they readily adhere to the tile body. This process is widely used in porcelain tile production.
Engobes have an intermediate composition between bodies and glazes. Their purpose is to hide the color of the ceramic body and eliminate reactions and associated defects caused by the direct contact between glaze and body.
All engobes have 2 primary characteristics (compared to glazes):
- High content of plastic materials like clays and kaolins.
- High opacity and high content of crystalline materials.
The purpose of the engobe can be as different as the varied forms it comes in: to improve waterproofing; to give color to a tile; to improve the surface texture; to provide a ground to do further decoration or to add textures.
Engobe in wall tiles is primarily applied as a water-proofing and colouring layer which makes it ideal for installation in kitchens and bathrooms. So in short the term engobe tells you that the tile has an additional layer making it more waterproof and stain resistant.
Contact us with any enquiry about waterproof wall tiles with engobe.
Engobe in wall tiles is primarily applied as a water-proofing and colouring layer which makes it ideal for installation in kitchens and bathrooms. So in short the term engobe tells you that the tile has an additional layer making it more waterproof and stain resistant.
Contact us with any enquiry about waterproof wall tiles with engobe.
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