Enhancing the mechanical properties of porcelain stoneware tiles: a microstructural approach

This paper focuses on the complexities of the microstructure and phase deve lopment in porcelain stoneware tiles produced following industrial fast sin gle firing cycles. A microstructural investigation was conducted to determi ne if the addition of selected low cost minerals would improve mechanical p roperties. The minerals tested were quartz, mullite and kyanite. Uniaxially pressed samples were submitted to the same industrial firing schedule and tested according to the European tile standards before further microstructu ral analysis. All the requirements specified in UNI EN normative concerning BIa class tiles were fulfilled; moreover, mullite and kyanite added formul ations showed sensible increases in mechanical properties, especially as fa r as flexural strength and abrasion resistance are concerned. (C) 2001 Publ ished by Elsevier Science Ltd.