Effect of Different Firing Temperature on Thermal Conductivity of Ceramic Tiles

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of different firing temperature on thermal conductivity of ceramic tiles. The body formulation powders of ceramic tiles were made according to the formulation given by company and compacted at 18 MPa using pressing machine in order to obtain button shape specimen with 50 mm diameter. The button shape specimen was fired at different firing temperature which 1150°C, 1175°C, 1200°C and 1225°C. Then, the thermal conductivity of fired specimens was measured by using Hot-Disk Thermal Constant Analyzer. Thermal conductivity result shows that the ceramic tile body fired at 1150 °C producing the lowest thermal conductivity values (0.97 W/mK) in comparison with other specimens. This low thermal conductivity performance is due to the high porosity value in the specimen as a result of more trapped air and implies delaying the heat transfer either inward or outward from the ceramic tiles. Therefore, this study proved that by altering firing temperature, different thermal conductivity values of ceramic tiles were obtained.

Development of the Alternative Whitening System for Zirconium Silicate Substition in Porcelain Tile Bodies

Zirconium silicate is generally used as a whitening agent in super white and ultra white porcelain tile compositions. Depend on the market speculation, this material's price fluctuated. To reduce this negative effect of the material on the our profitability, an alternative whitening compositions is developed. The aim of the study is prepare the alternative whitening composition with an innovative approach such as controlling the amount of the amorphous and crystalline phases in the porcelain tile body and produce the new composition with the same property compared standard body such as water absorption, size, strength, color. And also ensure the sustainable production with the same quality.

Use of Ornamental Rock Waste in Porcelain Tile

The ornamental rock industry generates huge amounts of waste in form of fine powder, demanding adequate alternatives for its final disposal. The possibility of using ornamental rock waste as a flux in porcelain tile has been assessed. The porcelain tile formulations are constituted mainly by kaolin, feldspar and quartz. The waste was added to a typical porcelain tile body, replacing the sodic feldspar by up to 15 wt. %. The prepared pastes were fired of 1240°C using a fast-firing cycle. The specifications of porcelain floor tile in terms of physical properties were achieved.