Influence of particle size and furnace atmosphere on the sintering of powder for tiles production

The effect of both particle size and furnace atmosphere on the sintering of ceramic powder used in the production of tiles was studied. The investigat ion was performed on two powders having different grain sizes: 63-90 mu m a nd 400-500 mu m. The samples were compacted and sintered at different exper imental conditions; steady air and flowing air, at temperatures 400-600 deg rees C, and flowing oxygen, at temperatures 400-600 degrees C, 600-800 degr ees C. In order to investigate particle size and furnace atmosphere influen ce, the following characteristics of samples were measured: quantity and co mposition of amorphous phase, porosity, relative density, shrinkage and com pressive strength. The results indicate negligible influence of atmosphere, in comparison with the influence of the initial particle size.