Biography
Biography: Ana Sampaio
Abstract
Ceramic tiles are known for their intrinsic properties, such as high durability, water and chemical resistance and easy maintenance. However, for applications in warm residential areas (e.g. living rooms, bedrooms), or sun-exposed areas (e.g. areas surrounding pools), users generally choose materials with improved performance in terms of thermal comfort, such as wood tiles. Bearing in mind this limitation, CeNTI and Revigrés joined forces to improve the performance of ceramic tiles at the thermal comfort level, with the main objective of combining technical properties, design and comfort. The work and developments carried out in the scope of Revifeel Plus project allowed to improve the ceramic tiles thermal comfort performance (temperature, sensation to the touch) suitable for flooring applications, namely for indoor (REVIFEEL WARMUP and REVIFEEL HEATSYSTEM) and outdoor applications (REVIFEEL COOLDOWN). From the project developments, three distinct and complementary technological solutions were achieved:
• REVIFEEL WARMUP: Ceramic floor tiles with an innovative surface treatment that reduces the sensation of cold to the touch in indoor residential applications.
• REVIFEEL COOLDOWN: Ceramic tiles with IR-reflective properties resulting from the direct additivation of ceramic raw materials during the tiles production. This technological solution aims to eliminate the sensation of excessive heat given off by ceramic surfaces due to exposure to solar radiation.
• REVIFEEL HEATSYSTEM: Ceramic tiles with an integrated heating system, a solution that is highly efficient, easy to install and maintain.
Recent Publications :
- R M Novais, M P Seabra, J A Labrincha (2014) Ceramic tiles with controlled porosity and low thermal conductivity by using pore-forming agents. Ceramics International 40(8)Part A: 11637–11648.