Relation between the microstructure and technological properties of porcelain stoneware. A review

Abstract

Porcelain stoneware is a strongly sintered ceramic material fabricated from ball clays-quartzfeldspar mixtures. Porcelain stoneware is characterized by its excellent technical and functional properties (low water absorption, high mechanical properties, resistant to chemical substances and cleaning agents, aesthetic possibilities …). These characteristic and technical features make that among the different types of ceramic tile, porcelain stoneware is the ceramic product that in the last years has best withstood the economic crisis in the construction sector. These properties are related to the microstructure of porcelain stoneware, which is a grain and bond type with large particles of filler (quartz), mullite crystals, a silica-rich amorphous phase and porosity. The understanding of the relationship between the microstructure and the properties of porcelain stoneware is hardly important for the development and design of these materials whose tendency is the manufacture of thinner tiles with higher dimensions but must continue to comply the specific technical requirements. RESUMEN:Relación entre la microestructura y las propiedades tecnológicas en gres porcelánico. Revisión bibliográfica. El gres porcelánico es un material sinterizado fabricado a partir de una mezcla de arcillas, cuarzo y feldespato. Tecnológicamente, el gres porcelánico se caracteriza por sus excelentes características técnicas y funcionales (baja absorción de agua, buenas propiedades mecánicas, resistente a substancias químicas, posibilidades estéticas…). Estas cualidades han propiciado que, entre los diferentes tipos de baldosa cerámica, es el gres porcelánico el producto que mejor ha resistido la crisis económica sufrida por el Sector de la Construcción. Las propiedades tecnológicas están relacionadas con su microestructura, compuesta de partículas de cuarzo, cristales de mullita, fase amorfa y porosidad. El conocimiento de la relación entre la microestructura y las propiedades tecnológicas del gres porcelánico es de gran importancia para avanzar en el diseño y desarrollo de estos materiales, cuya tendencia es la fabricación de piezas de mayor formato y menor espesor pero que deben seguir cumpliendo con los requerimientos especificados para su aplicación.

Influence of the addition of phosphogypsum on some properties of ceramic tiles

“…The coarse closed porosity increases as the amount of PG in the initial composition increases ( Fig. 6c; d), which is likely to be responsible for the reduction observed in bending strength, given that these pores can act as stress concentrators and facilitate fracture [44]. Fig.…”

Comparative evaluation of properties of a clay based ceramic shaped via four techniques

“…In the liquid phase sintering, progressive closure of the capillaries forming open porosity is occurring, and an increment of closed porosity with a smaller pore size begins [9]. The low density and densification percentage at this temperature can be explained by the presence of a greater amount of vitreous phase with a lower density than crystalline phases.…”

“…There are studies on pressing and extruding methods and their effect on flexural strength, where higher values were found for pressing [8]. Microstructure and porosity have been analyzed for each forming method, and a suitable classification with respect to water absorption has been defined for several applications [9]. A comparative study on the effect of dry pressing, slip casting and extruding found higher densification when extruding, while intermediate processing performance was observed for dry pressing [10].…”

Effect of Quartz Particle Size on Sintering Behavior and Flexural Strength of Porcelain Tiles Made from Raw Materials in Uganda

“…However, tiles with 6-10% water absorption are classified as group BIII, and SQ4 with 7.1% is within this range. These are not suitable for use as floor tiles [22].…”