The Effect of Addition of ZnO to Granite Body on Sintering and Mechanical Properties

Abstract

In granite body, 1-3-5 wt% ZnO was replaced instead of feldspar and fired in an industrial continuous production kiln. Physical properties of the tiles were determined including dried strength, fired strength, water absorption, fired loss, and colorimeter values. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX) measurements for distinctive microstructural changes and phases formed were done. The fired strength values of the standard and 3% ZnO added body are 400 kg/cm 2 , 511 kg /cm 2 , respectively. Water absorption and firing shrinkage values are close to each other. In the analysis of the sample with 3% added ZnO with XRD, it was observed that the solubility of quartz was increased, mullite formation was prevented; besides 27.4 wt.% spinel phase and 13.8 wt.% albite formation was observed.