Effect of Grain Size of Quartz on Mechanical Strength of Porcelain Body

Effect of firing conditions, filler grain size and quartz content on bending strength and physical properties of sanitaryware porcelain

“…Finer or coarser grain fractions cause significantly lower bending strength values (30-40 MPa). These results are in agreement with the suggestion of the researchers 5,8,26 that there is an optimum quartz PSD which gives the highest bending strength. On the contrary, the observation of Mortel 14,16 is not testified, namely that increased mechanical properties are obtained if no quartz grains are present.…”

“…14À17 Additionally, higher strength can be obtained by the substitution of quartz by sillimanite sand, 10 alumina, 11,12,18 kyanite or mullite, 19 rice husk ash, 13 sericitic pyrophyllite 11 or low expansion porcelain powder. 20 On the other hand, in accordance to the matrix reinforcement theory, there is abundant experimental evidence that under certain conditions residual quartz has a beneficial influence on porcelain strength, 1,5,8 It is reported that maximum bending strength is achieved by increasing residual quartz content and controlling quartz grain size in the range 10-30 mm. 5 Nevertheless, different views regarding the optimum conditions have also been expressed.…”

“…The larger these stresses are, the higher is the strength of the porcelain bodies. 1,8,9 The phenomenon is known as the pre-stressing effect.…”

“…5 Nevertheless, different views regarding the optimum conditions have also been expressed. 8,21 Obviously there is a conflict between researchers for the positive or negative influence of quartz on porcelain strength, which is attributed to the many parameters that interfere. A simultaneous investigation of parameters such as quartz content, quartz grain size, firing temperature and soaking time would help in the direction of understanding the mechanisms controlling porcelain's strength and improving its mechanical properties.…”

Iron and steel slag: An alternative source of raw materials for porcelain ceramics

“…Based on the quantitative estimation of these crystalline phases the body usually designated as quartz or mullite porcelain. Studies are also carried out for the improvement of the mechanical strength of tri-axial porcelain bodies by controlling the size of quartz grain and incorporation of calcined alumina (Khandelwal and Cook, 1970;Haman et al, 1991Haman et al, , 1992Harada et al, 1996). Carty and Senapati, (1998) reported the beneficial effect of cristoballite formation in porcelain for its increased strength and lower strain development during cooling process.…”