The use of rheologically problematic Turkish clays with dry granulation technology in porcelain tile production

Abstract

In this study, the use of rheologically problematic carbonate-bearing clay from the Bilecik and Çanakkale Region of Turkey in porcelain tile bodies was investigated using the dry preparation method. Firstly, the chemical–mineralogical and technological properties of clays were determined, and characterization studies were performed. Then, an attempt was made to determine the optimum usage possibilities by using these raw materials instead of the standard clay-kaolin mixture raw material at the ratios of 10, 20, 30, and 40% in the standard porcelain tile structure. The sintering behavior of the standard bodies, carbonatic clay containing bodies, was studied comparatively using a double-beam optical non-contact dilatometer. Shrinkage (%), water absorption (%), bulk density (gr/cm³), dry strength (N/mm²), flexural strength (N/mm²), and color L, a, b tests were performed on the developed bodies. Mineralogical and phase analyses have been carried out by XRD. The results showed that carbonatic clays, which have rheological problems, could be used in porcelain tiles with dry preparation systems.