Cleaner production of porcelain tile powders. Granule and green compact characterization

A new ceramic powder preparation process, the droplet-powder granulation process (DPGP), was recently proposed in pursuit of energy/water conservation and environment protection for sustainable development of the ceramic industry.This study characterizes the DPGP granules and resulting pressed green compacts and compares them with those obtained using traditional spray-drying (hereafter SD) and granulation (hereafter G) processes. Powder and granule properties (granule size distribution, flowability, microstructure, yield pressure, etc.), powder pressing behaviour, and green compact properties (microstructure, bending strength, etc.) were determined. The properties of the DPGP powder and the resulting compacts displayed an intermediate performance between those of the powders and compacts obtained by the SD and G processes, demonstrating the feasibility of the DPGP process in the pre-firing stage of porcelain tile manufacture. The study also shows that, in addition to the key spray-mixing step, the subsequent rolling treatment also plays a major role in DPGP granule formation.     

Effect of soda-lime glass on sintering and technological properties of porcelain stoneware tiles

The feasibility of waste glass recycling in ceramic tile production was assessed with special reference to fully vitrified products (porcelain stoneware). Soda-lime float or container glass was introduced, in replacement of sodic feldspar, in typical porcelain stoneware bodies (up to 10 wt.%) that underwent a laboratory simulation of tilemaking process, with a technological and compositional characterization of both fired and unfired tiles. Soda-lime glass had no significant effect on semi-finished products, but it influenced remarkably the firing behaviour, increasing shrinkage and closed porosity, decreasing open porosity and bulk density, and lowering mechanical and tribological performances. Waste glass promotes a more effective melting of quartz and a partial dissolution of mullite, leading to a more abundant and less viscous liquid phase, which accelerates the sintering kinetics. In conclusion, soda-lime glass can be used in small amounts (5% or less) with tolerable modifications of technological behaviour and performances of porcelain stoneware tiles.     

Fracture properties of spray-dried powder compacts: Effect of granule size

Inappropriate mechanical properties of spray-dried powder compacts lead to significant green product losses, entailing considerable costs in ceramic tile manufacture as well as serious environmental problems. In addition, green strength can be indicative of how well a ceramic processing system is working.In this study, granules were prepared by spray drying a red clay slurry used in floor tile manufacture. The resulting granules were characterised and their porosity, morphology, and mechanical behaviour were determined.The study analyses the fracture properties of green ceramic materials using Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM), which has been widely used for fired materials, but whose application to green compacts has drawn much less attention. Two types of tests for determining fracture parameters (fracture toughness, fracture energy, and crack size) in green materials are also critically examined. Finally, the fracture parameters have been correlated to the microstructural characteristics of the compacts, in particular to granule size and the topography of the fracture.     

Application of grits waste as a renewable carbonate material in manufacturing wall tiles

This work focuses on the reuse of grits waste, from cellulose industry, as a raw material to replace traditional carbonate material in ceramic wall tiles. Wall tile formulations bearing up to 15?wt% of the grits waste were prepared for replacement of calcareous. The tile manufacturing route consisted of dry powder granulation, uniaxial pressing, and firing at temperatures ranging from 1100?°C to 1180?°C by using a fast-firing cycle. The wall tile specimens were tested to determine their physical and mechanical properties (linear shrinkage, water absorption, apparent porosity, apparent density, breaking strength, and flexural strength). The firing behavior, phase transformations, and microstructure were evaluated by dilatometry, XRD, and SEM. The results showed that the fired wall tile specimens are composed of anorthite and quartz, as major mineral phases, and mullite as a minor phase. It was found that the grits waste had a positive influence on the properties and microstructure of the wall tile specimens. The results also revealed that the grits waste from cellulose industry could be used as a total replacement of traditional calcareous material in wall tile formulations.     

Hydro deformation in ceramic tiles at the pre-firing stage

The production of ceramic tiles with larger sizes and reduced thickness has increased the challenge of producing high-quality ceramic tiles in short single-firing cycles. For porcelain tiles, the pressing step is of upmost importance for the microstructure of the green bodies. The particle size distribution, mineral composition of the pastes and porosity before firing define the water flow during the decoration process. Hydro deformation is the curvature of unfired ceramic tiles caused by water absorption during the decoration step before firing. In this work, the hydro deformation is studied in function of tile thickness, compaction, and clay composition according to a 2^K factorial design. Two compositions of porcelain tiles (glazed and polished) were pressed at two thicknesses (3–6 mm) and pressing pressures (35.5–49.8 MPa) forming ceramic tiles with 55 × 110 mm² of surface area. Chemical (XRF), mineralogical (XRD), thermogravimetric (TG), specific surface area (BET), granulometric, bulk density, and porosity analyses were performed for the green tiles of both compositions. To simulate the hydro deformation during the decoration step, the curvature (mm) of the tiles was studied within a 0–180 min interval. The water absorption rate through the surface (g.m⁻²·s⁻¹) of the tiles in an interval of 0–180 s was studied as a function of thickness, pressure and porcelain tile composition. As a result, the thickness of the tiles can change the curvatures from concave to convex. Pressing conditions and composition of the tiles can change the water absorption rates. Porcelain tiles with higher content of clay minerals develop convex curvatures. For tiles with lower content of clay minerals, concave curvatures were developed.     

Porous single-fired wall tile bodies: Influence of quartz particle size on tile properties

This study examines the effect of quartz particle size in raw material composition customarily used for the manufacture of porous single-fired wall tile bodies on the characteristics of the green tiles and on the thermal and mechanical properties of the fired tiles. Quartz particle size was varied, while the quantity and particle size of the other raw materials were kept constant. Tile compacts were formed by uniaxial pressing and fired at different peak temperatures. The resulting fired microstructure was then characterised and tile thermal and mechanical properties were determined. Microcrack formation around quartz particles leads to hysteresis of the coefficient of thermal expansion during heating and cooling. The studied mechanical and thermal properties are shown to be a function of the magnitude of the hysteresis and porosity. This relationship is independent of the operating variables (pressing pressure, operating temperature, and quartz particle size) used. The results obtained confirm that the green and fired properties of porous single-fired wall tiles may be considerably enhanced, while holding low shrinkage and high porosity, compatible with low moisture expansion, by reducing quartz particle size and appropriately adjusting the pressing pressure and peak firing temperature. This should enable thin and/or large-sized porous wall tiles to be manufactured, without (immediate or delayed) curvatures, and with a higher breaking load than that required by the standards.     

Effect of microstructure on cutting processability of porcelain tile subjected to different firing cycles

The fast firing technique is one of the most important ways to save energy consumption and improve production efficiency in the porcelain tile industry. In the actual production, excessively short firing cycle time easily causes the cutting edge defects. This work examines the effect of microstructure on cutting processability of a representative composition of a commercial porcelain tile fired at 1200 °C with two different firing cycles as follows: 40 min and 60 min. The phase composition and microstructure were investigated by using a combination of techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The result indicated that it was beneficial to extend firing cycle (from 40 min to 60 min) for the cutting processability of porcelain tiles, which was due to the formation of positive microstructures such as secondary mullite needles and small-volume residual quartz.     

Influence of mineralogical composition of applied ball clays on properties of porcelain tiles

Relations between quality of ball clays applied in raw materials batches for manufacture of porcelain tiles, and physical properties and microstructure of obtained tiles, were investigated. Studied clays constituted 35% of the batch, while the other components were unchangeable. Stoch index, new IR 3620/3700 index and XRIR index (Stoch index multiplied by IR 3620/3700 index), were proposed to take into account crystallinity of kaolinite and contents of illite and smectites in studied clays. Relationship between XRIR index value of clay, and water absorption and abrasion resistance of the obtained ceramic material, was found. Water absorption of the tile is also correlated with grain size distribution and bending strength of used clay. Optimal ball clay for porcelain tile production should exhibit: Stoch index - min. 4.3; IR 3620/3700 index - min. 1.2; XRIR index - min. 4.8; grain size median - max. 0.27 μm; bending strength after drying - min. 8.0 MPa.     

Effect of Nepheline Syenite Additives on the Technological Behavior of Ceramics and Porcelain Stoneware Tiles

To study the effect of the Egyptian nepheline syenite raw materials on the sinterability of the ceramic tiles, four batches with concentrations of nepheline syenite (0, 5, 10 and 15%) were prepared. The four batches were ground, mixed, shaped, pressed and fired at temperatures from 1160 °C to 1260 °C. Some technological behaviors of the samples were measured in dry, green state and after firing at 1260 °C; including densfication parameters. Phase composition and microstructural studies refered that mullite was the newly crystallized phase after firing set in a glassy matrix enriched in alkalis. Technological properties of the fired batches revealed that the higher firing temperature and higher nepheline syenite contents produced larger amounts of glassy phase, and consequently bulk density and linear shrinkage increased, while apparent porosity and water adsorption as well as whiteness of fired batches decreased. It is concluded that nepheline syenite could be successfully used as flux in ceramic tiles, while it is not accepted in the production of porcelain bodies because of their coloration.

     

Obtainment of porcelain floor tiles added with petroleum oily sludge

This study focuses on the processing of vitrified floor tiles incorporated with a petroleum oily sludge. Floor tile formulations containing up to 5 wt% of the petroleum oily sludge in replacement of kaolin were prepared. The tile formulations were granulated by the dry process, pressed, and fired at temperatures between 1200 and 1250 °C using a fast-firing cycle. The specimens were characterized before and after firing. XRD was used to identify the crystalline phases present during sintering and SEM was used to show how the structure changes during densification. Three parameters were used to describe densification: linear shrinkage, water absorption, and flexural strength. The results showed that the petroleum oily sludge could be used as an alternative raw material in the floor tile formulations. The densification behavior of the floor tile pieces is influenced by the petroleum oily sludge addition and firing temperature. The vitrified floor tiles produced reached the technical characteristics of porcelain floor tiles, depending on petroleum oily sludge content and firing temperature.     

Relationship between certain ceramic roofing tile characteristics and biodeterioration

This paper examines the relationship of certain red ceramic roofing tile properties to roofing tile biodeterioration. The following properties were studied: apparent porosity, roughness, and the presence or absence of two types of coatings.The effect of apparent porosity was studied by varying the peak firing temperature of a standard industrial red ceramic roofing tile composition and by preparing several clay mixtures, of different chemical and mineralogical composition, that were fired at various peak temperatures. The effect of roofing tile roughness was determined by either polishing or sanding fired standard red roofing tiles. A waterproof ceramic glaze coating and a photocatalytic coating were formulated to analyse the effect of the presence of different types of coatings. Roofing tile bioreceptivity was evaluated with a method developed in a previous study using the cyanobacteria Oscillatoria sp, which enabled roofing tile resistance to microbial colonization to be determined.As expected, bioreceptivity rose as apparent porosity (measured as water absorption) increased, enabling possible water retention, which favours biological growth. Similarly, greater roughness encouraged micro-organism adhesion and raised bioreceptivity. It was found that, after prolonged exposure periods (several months) under very favourable conditions for biological colonization, roofing tiles coated with the waterproof ceramic glaze were colonized. However, glazed standard red roofing tiles covered with a TiO₂ photocatalytic coating exhibited practically no biological growth under the test conditions used, even after long exposure times, owing to the chemical-physical effect of the TiO₂-based coating.     

Porcelain tile microstructure: implications for polishability

The present study examines the influence of porcelain tile microstructure on tile polishability and polishing efficiency. A range of different fired porcelain tile microstructures was obtained by varying the quartz particle size and content in the starting composition, and the peak firing temperature.The polishability of these porcelain tile specimens was evaluated with a tribometer designed to simulate the industrial polishing operation, using cement-matrix silicon carbide abrasive tools. The wear rates of both the tile samples and the abrasive tools were measured. A new parameter, termed ‘polishing efficiency’, was defined as the ratio of tile specific wear rate to pin specific wear rate.Quartz particle size and content in the starting composition, as well as peak firing temperature, strongly affected the fired tile microstructure, and hence the polishability. When the firing temperature lies below the optimum value (at which porosity is minimised) the polishing efficiency increases, while the polished surface quality decreases (i.e. porosity rises). Quartz particle size and content should be minimised in the starting composition to achieve maximum polished surface quality and polishing efficiency.     

The effect of polyvinyl alcohol as a binder and stearic acid as an internal lubricant in the formation, and subsequent sintering of spray-dried alumina

The production of ceramic components using fewer processing steps on a shorter timescale is very important when considering the industrial and economic aspects of the manufacture of these materials in bulk. Spray-dried granules are expected to give compacts with fewer defects due to their low shear strength compared to conventional powders. Several extent studies show results for product of high relative densities (∼50% at 10 MPa), however, this study arrives at a process for making ceramic components with comparable density (48-49%) at 10 MPa), using less processing time and fewer processing steps which becomes extremely important when one considers the industrial aspects such as bulk production and manufacturing cost. In the present investigation, 35 vol% alumina slurries with 0.5% weight dispersant (ammonium polyacrylate) have been synthesized with different contents of binder (PVA) and lubricant (stearic acid). It is found that variations in the amounts of these additives plays a significant role in the formation of spray-dried granules, as well as the subsequent consolidation and densification of the compacts made using the granule particles. There is support for adopting the concept of a ‘compact process’.     

Technological behavior of porcelain stoneware bodies with Egyptian syenites

The progressive depletion of the main feldspathic flux deposits in the World is forcing the ceramic industry to search for suitable substitutes. The aim of this study is to assess the potential of some feldspar sources in the Egyptian Eastern Desert, particularly syenites from Abu Khruq, in the manufacture of ceramic tiles. Beneficiated samples obtained by laboratory-scale mineral processing were tested into porcelain stoneware batches (from 10% to 30% wt in replacement of feldspars) and compared with a reference body through a laboratory reproduction of the industrial processing. The technological behavior of unfired tiles does not suffer any significant alteration due to the use of syenites. On the other hand, syenite-bearing bodies exhibit some changes in the phase composition and the chemistry of the melt, that turns richer in alkali, especially K₂O. The consequently increased sintering rate depends mainly on the viscosity of the liquid phase formed during firing. In conclusion, syenites can be used without technological hindrances to manufacture porcelain stoneware tiles. The firing behavior of syenite-bearing batches can be reasonably adjusted by setting key parameters (eg, the feldspar amount and the Na/K ratio), but the darker color of fired bodies requires to further lower the iron oxide.     

Evolution with Temperature of Crystalline and Amorphous Phases in Porcelain Stoneware

Porcelain stoneware tile is a ceramic building material characterized by high technological properties, especially regarding water absorption, chemical and frost resistance, bending strength and abrasion resistance. Because mineralogy is one of the main factors affecting the mechanical properties of porcelain stoneware, a complete determination and quantification of the mineral and amorphous phases is of special importance in the study of porcelain stoneware tiles. In the present work, a reference industrial composition (50% kaolinitic clay, 40% feldspar, and 10% quartz) of porcelain stoneware tiles fired at different temperatures (400°–1400°C) was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction combined with quantitative full-phase analysis using the Rietveld method, including amorphous content. The green composition contained albite, microcline, and muscovite as fluxing agents, which start to decompose at low temperatures (400°–800°C range) and are completely dissolved above 1200°C. The mullite phase is formed from 1100° to 1230°C and at the latter temperature, quartz particles start to dissolve. Studies of mineralogical evolution have revealed that the high heating rate (45°–50°C/min) required in ceramic tile manufacture leads to significant differences in comparisons with whiteware ceramics fired at a lower heating rate (10°C/min). Thus, the formation of mullite in porcelain stoneware occurs at higher temperatures (1100°C) whereas the transformation of β-quartz to β-cristobalite does not take place. The experimental results of this study show that qualitative mineralogical analysis, based on the intensity of a particular diffraction peak for each crystalline phase, is a suitable methodology to obtain preliminary knowledge of mineralogical changes with temperature.     

Influence of zeolites on the sintering and technological properties of porcelain stoneware tiles

Low-cost zeolitic rocks are promising substitutes for feldspathic fluxes in ceramic bodies, since their fusibility, modest hardness and high cation exchange capacity (CEC) should improve grinding and sintering. Five large-scale Italian deposits of natural zeolites with different mineralogy were characterised and tested in porcelain stoneware bodies. Their behaviour during processing was appraised and compared with that of zeolite-free bodies. Zeolites increased the slip viscosity during wet grinding, causing a coarser grain size distribution and consequently some drawbacks in both unfired and fired tiles. After overcoming this hindrance by dry grinding of zeolite rocks, the technological behaviour of zeolite-bearing tiles appear to be similar to that of current porcelain stoneware, though with larger firing shrinkage and residual closed porosity.     

Amorphous silica wastes for reusing in highly porous ceramics

The paper analyzes a solution in green manufacturing of foamed or cellular ceramics. The objective of this study was to determine the technical solution for rice husk ash and “tales” of mixed glass cullet reusing based on the specific properties of these materials for creation of spherical holes inside ceramic using the process of coalescence of cellular glass. The paper reports on experimental results obtained from the production of lightweight cellular glass granules produced using glass cullet and rice husk ash. Lightweight cellular glass granules were mixed with clay, pressed and fired in air at 920°C. Clay sintering and the formation of ceramic were followed with the coalescence of cellular structure of glass granules and with the formation of spherical hollows inside the matrix. Density and strength of the fired ceramic bodies were determined. It is observed that the lightweight ceramics with density 900 ÷ 920 kg/m³ possess a compressive strength of about 5 MPa that is acceptable for bricks or tiles manufacture. The utilization of amorphous silica waste for lightweight ceramics manufacture helps in reducing waste disposal concerns and costs associated, and also transforms the waste into an alternative raw material with added value, moreover making the final product cheap.     

Residual stresses in porcelain tiles. Measurement and process variables assessment

This research addresses the residual stresses phenomenon taking place during the manufacture of porcelain tiles. Residual stresses were quantified by the strain relaxation slotting method. The method is based on the fact that stresses are released when a slot is made leading to a curvature change.Once the method was validated, the impact of process variables such as starting body composition, temperature and cooling rate of firing cycle was investigated. Findings showed that cooling rate was the most influencing variable whereas Young’s modulus of fired specimens also play a significant role. Symmetry of the parabolic residual stress profile denoted homogenous cooling on upper and lower tile surfaces during the cooling step. In addition, it was observed that polishing of a stressed tile gives rise to a decreasing of deformation as a consequence of stress release by mechanical grinding.     

Reusing sanitaryware waste products in glazed porcelain tile production

Reusing the waste products generated in ceramic manufacturing is an environmentally responsible and sustainable approach. This study aims to protect natural resources, minimise raw material costs and manage waste-generated pollution by reusing the vitrified sanitaryware waste (VSW) products from Canakkale Kalebodur Seramik San. A. S. Six sample formulations were prepared under industrial conditions and compared with a standard tile body. The results indicated that using VSW in place of feldspar results in an increased firing shrinkage and decreased bending strength, whereas using VSW in place of pegmatite results in an increased bending strength and reduced thermal expansion coefficients. The reduction in the thermal expansion coefficients is an important finding that aids in meeting the dimensional and deformation requirements of porcelain tiles and also results in a slight lightening of the tile colour. This study shows that the fired VSW products can be used in glazed porcelain tile production as a sustainable and technologically, economically and environmentally suitable approach.     

Porcelain tile microstructure: Implications for polished tile properties

The present study was undertaken to determine the influence of sintered porcelain tile microstructure on mechanical properties (fracture strength, modulus of elasticity and fracture toughness) and surface properties (gloss and stain resistance). To obtain sintered specimens with different microstructures the peak firing temperature was varied for bodies made with industrial spray-dried powder, and sets of test compositions were also made in which quartz content and quartz particle size were varied.Liquid-phase sintering is the typical densification mechanism involved in the achievement of minimum porosity, which is characterised by isolated round pores. Bloating occurred above the firing temperature for minimum porosity. Increases in quartz content and quartz particle size in the starting composition led to reduced body sinterability, and thus gave rise to higher porosity in the fired tile.Mechanical properties were adversely affected by an increase in fired tile porosity. For the same variation in porosity, mechanical properties were more sensitive to the change in quartz content than to changes in particle size. No toughening effect was observed with a rise in quartz content or a decrease in particle size: mechanical properties depended primarily on sintered specimen porosity.Gloss and stain resistance (which characterise polished surface quality) varied with surface porosity, both showing the highest values for lowest porosity. The relationship between porosity and gloss was close to linear.