July 14, 2020
The Bishop Materials Laboratory
The Bishop Laboratory is an ISO 17025 Accredited Laboratory. Our
fields of testing include cement, concrete, aggregates, masonry,
stones, bricks and tiles.
Analytical Methods
  • Particle Size Distribution
  • Loss on Ignition
  • Chemistry (XRF)
  • Pyrohydrolysis
  • Soluble Salt Content
  • Mineralogy (XRD)
  • Crystalline Silica Content (XRD)
  • Carbon & Sulfure Content (LECO)
  • Dilatometry
  • Thermal Gradient Firing
  • Thermal Analysis (TG/DSC/FTIR)
Physical Properties
  • AMSMV
  • ASTM C67
  • Concrete Masonry
  • Dimension Stone
  • Mortar for Unite Masonry
  • Refractory
2020 Webinars
July 29: 3D Printing Special Shapes from Clay or Shale

Aug 26: Extrusion, Additives and Rheometry

Nov 4: Capillary Absorption and IRA
Our most recent webinar, "Controlling Vanadium Staining" is available online. As a member of NBRC, you can access the recording and presentation on our website:
Upcoming Events
Oct 5: NBRC Advisory Board Fall Meeting, Anderson, SC, USA

Oct 6 – 7: 66th Annual Clemson Brick Forum, Anderson, SC, USA

Oct 25: Thermal Performance Presentation, ACI Conference, Raleigh, NC, USA

Dec 8 – 10: ASTM C15 Meeting, Orlando, FL, USA

Jan 23 – 27: ASHRAE Conference, Chicago, IL, USA
Little Things Mean A Lot #56
Porcelain – The term porcelain refers to a type of ceramic formulation that is extensively used in whiteware ceramics and ceramic tile. These formulations are made up of a clay, flux and filler. The most common formulation uses kaolin for the clay, feldspar for the flux, and flint as the filler. Alternate materials are also sometimes used such as nepheline syenite as the flux or alumina for the filler. Porcelain formulations are usually fired almost to the point of melting to have as low of a porosity as possible. For example, for a ceramic tile to be considered a “porcelain” the boiling water absorption must be less than 0.5%. Tile with very low absorption like this are usually very durable, resistant to staining, and easy to keep clean.