Mechanical properties and microstructure of fast fired tiles made with blends of kaolin and olivine powders

The paper reports on some experimental results obtained from the production of ceramic tiles containing olivine and kaolin powders mixed in different proportions. Blending of components was done by attrition milling. Pressed powders were fast fired (55 min cold to cold) in air up to 1250 °C. Fired products were characterized by shrinkage, water absorption, density, strength, hardness, toughness, crystal phases and microstructure. It has been demonstrated that all the samples prepared have properties in line with the industrial production of some ceramic materials, but those containing 60 wt% of olivine and 40 wt% of kaolin displayed the best overall behaviour and therefore the blend is a possible candidate of an eventual industrial production of tiles.