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Characterization of Vitrified Porcelain Tiles using Feldspar from Three Selected Deposits in Nigeria

Author Affiliations

  • 1Glass and Ceramic Technology Department, School of Science and Computer Studies, Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, NIGERIA

Res. J. Recent Sci., Volume 3, Issue (9), Pages 67-72, September,2 (2014)

Abstract

The production of vitrified porcelain tiles has increased in recent years due to their excellent technical characteristics such as high strength, low water absorption, excellent abrasion resistance as well as good chemical resistance. The use of good fluxing agents such as feldspar to bring about the vitrification of the porcelain tiles body has initiated intensive research work to source for suitable feldspar deposits required for manufacturing this product. In this research work, feldspar samples from Ijero-Ekiti in Ekiti state, Ajaokuta in Kogi state and Okpella in Edo state, from Nigeria were used together with other raw materials to formulate vitrified porcelain tiles compositions similar to what is obtainable in industries. The porcelain tiles samples were produced under suitable industrial conditions and sintered at 1218°C. Flexural strength test, fired shrinkage test, water absorption test and abrasion resistance test were used to characterize the samples. The results show that flexural strength, abrasion resistance and water absorption of all the samples are within the acceptable values specified by international standard organization (ISO). Chemical analysis was also carried out on the feldspar samples from the three deposits and the results show that the deposits contained all the constituents suitable for producing porcelain tiles. All the three feldspar deposits were found to be suitable for producing vitrified porcelain tiles.

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