Influence of mineralogical composition of applied ball clays on properties of porcelain tiles

Relations between quality of ball clays applied in raw materials batches for manufacture of porcelain tiles, and physical properties and microstructure of obtained tiles, were investigated. Studied clays constituted 35% of the batch, while the other components were unchangeable. Stoch index, new IR 3620/3700 index and XRIR index (Stoch index multiplied by IR 3620/3700 index), were proposed to take into account crystallinity of kaolinite and contents of illite and smectites in studied clays. Relationship between XRIR index value of clay, and water absorption and abrasion resistance of the obtained ceramic material, was found. Water absorption of the tile is also correlated with grain size distribution and bending strength of used clay. Optimal ball clay for porcelain tile production should exhibit: Stoch index – min. 4.3; IR 3620/3700 index – min. 1.2; XRIR index – min. 4.8; grain size median – max. 0.27 μm; bending strength after drying – min. 8.0 MPa.