An investigation on utilization of doğanhisar/konya clays in glazed porcelain tile bodies

Abstract

In this study, technical properties of 3 different clays from Doğanhisar/Konya region were determined to investigate their usage potential in glazed porcelain tile production of Yurtbay Seramik Company. For this purpose, mineralogical, chemical, and thermal characterization of the clays was performed using XRD, XRF, and dilatometric analyses. Furthermore, the use of Konya clays instead of Ukrainian clay in the porcelain tile compositions was studied. Ukrainian clay was substituted gradually by Konya clays in different tile body recipes. Samples, having these new compositions, were prepared by uniaxial pressing, and exposing to a firing regime at 1190 °C for 55 min. Fired samples were then characterized based on their dry strength, fired strength, water absorption, color, and firing shrinkage properties. Experimental results proved that the use of Konya clays instead of Ukrainian clay increased the strength of fired bodies. It would be possible to use Konya clays in tile bodies up to 6 wt.% with some modifications in the body compositions and firing regime.