Effect of Temperature in Unglazed Ceramic Tile Production by replacement of Feldspar with Glass Cullet and Spent Silica-Alumina

Abstract

The objective of this research is to replace feldspar by using green glass cullet and spent silica-alumina in ceramic tile body. The ratio of ball clay with green glass cullet and spent silica-alumina used in this research was 8:5 which represented 60% of the total amount. The composite was then mixed with 40% of silica sand by using ball mill. The mixture was pressed into tiles with the size of 10 x 10 x 0.5 cm³ under the pressure of 100 bars and firing at 1150 ^oC and 1200^oC. The physical property was analyzed according to the standard set by the Thailand Industrial Standard ref. In order to save energy during the production process, the appropriate ratio and temperature were selected. The result indicated that the mixture with the ratio between green glass cullet and spent silica-alumina of 35:65 and burned at 1150^oC could pass the Thailand Industrial Standard of floor tiles (TISI 37-2529) and the Thailand Industrial Standard of wall tiles (TISI 614-2529). The mixture had the quantity of bending strength equal to 28.76 MPa, a firing shrinkage equal to 12.41% and the water absorption equal to 3.62%. The result obtained from X-ray diffraction indicated that the mullite phase which increases the strength of the ceramic tile was found.