The technological characteristics of porcelain stoneware tiles make them suitable for a wide range of
applications spanning far beyond traditional uses. Due to the high density, porcelain stoneware tiles
show high bending strength, wear resistance, surface hardness, and high fracture toughness. Nevertheless,
despite being usually claimed as stain resistant, the surface porosity renders porcelain stoneware
tiles vulnerable to dirt penetration with the formation of stains that can be very difficult to remove.