To Investigate The Effects of Talc on Ceramic

Floor Tiles Glaze as Opacifier

Presented By:

Engr. Murtaza Khan

Research Advisor:

Dr. Mohammad Imran Ahmad

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING UET, PESHAWAR

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Table of Contents
 Introduction

 Problem Statement

 Objectives

 Materials and Method

 Results and Discussion

 Cost Analysis

 Conclusions
Introduction
Ceramic Glaze:
 Ceramic glaze is a thin layer of a vitreous substance which
has been fused to a ceramic body through firing.

 Glaze can serve to color decoration, aesthetic appearance,

water proofing and to make uneven surface smoother.

 It also provides protection against fouling and corrosive

action of chemicals to the product .

Magagnin, D., dos Santos, C.M.F., Wanderlind, A., Jiusti, J. and De Noni, A., 2014. Effect of kaolinite, illite and
talc on the processing properties and mullite content of porcelain stoneware tiles. Materials Science and
Engineering: A, 618, pp.533-539.
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Opacifier:
 An opacifier is a substance added to a material to make
it opaque.

 Opacifier provide opacity to the glaze by scattering and

reflecting the light that is incident on the coating.

 High reflectance is obtained due to the higher index of

reflectance of material.

 Tin oxide, Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Zirconium silicate

and Talc are examples of ceramic glaze opacifier.

Teixeira, S. and Bernardin, A.M., 2009. Development of TiO 2 white glazes for ceramic tiles. Dyes and Pigments,
80(3), pp.292-296. 4
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Talc
 Formula: Mg3Si4O10(OH)2

 Alternate Names: Magnesium Silicate, Steatite, French Chalk,

Hydrated talc

 The most common mineral in the class of silicates and the softest
of all minerals.

Chandra et al.,2004. Sintering characteristics of talc in the presence of phosphatic and alkali carbonate sintering
activators. Ceramics international, 30(5), pp.643-652.
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Talc provides the following properties to the tile.
 Improves whiteness
 Enhancing acid resistance
 Mounting glaze-body fit
 Strengthening crazing resistance
 Reducing pinholes
 Making cost affordable

Sallam, E.H., Naga, S.M. and Ibrahim, D.M., 1984. Mode of talc addition and its effect on the properties of ceramic
bodies. Ceramics international, 10(3), pp.87-92.
 Problem Statement
 The whiteness of ceramic glaze is achieved by various opacifying
agents. Zirconium silicate is predominantly used as opacifier but it
is expensive.

 Higher amount of Zirconium Silicate may not ensure desire quality.

 Therefore, it is needed to investigate economical alternatives for

zirconium silicates which also ensure the desired whiteness if
required in large processing.
Objectives
To investigate the Talc as alternative to Zirconium
silicate as opacifier for use in ceramic tile industry

 To investigate the effect of talc on the physical-mechanical

properties of Ceramic Glaze

 To make ceramic glaze more economical

 To utilize indigenous resources of talc

Materials and Methods
The raw materials used for the samples preparation were
potash feldspar, China clay, commercial frit, quartz, talc,
and Zirconium silicate.

Feldspar Quartz Talc China clay

Zirconium Silicate Frit

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 Composition of various glaze
samples (weight %)
Table 1: Composition of glaze samples (weight %)

Raw materials G. Ref* G. 1 G. 2 G. 3 G. 4 G. 5

Frit 37 37 37 37 37 37
Potash Feldspar 25 25 25 25 25 25
Quartz 17 17 17 17 17 17
China Clay 06 06 06 06 06 06
Zirconium
15 12 09 06 03 0
Silicate
Talc 0 03 06 09 12 15
*Karasu, B., Dölekçekiç, E. and Özdemir, B., 2001. Compositional modifications to floor tile glazes opacified with
zircon. British ceramic transactions, 100(2), pp.81-85.
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Schematic of experimental
methods

Drying
• Preparation of • Roller kiln
Glaze sample • Spraying the • 1120-1150◦C
• Composition Glaze on green
tiles
• Tiles Drying
Wet grinding Firing

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 Results and Discussion
Table 2: Properties of glazed floor tiles
Fluxing Flexural Water
Glaze Density Acid/Base Whiteness
time strength Absorption
sample (gm/L) Resistance (L*)
(sec) (kg/cm2) (%)
*Standards 1800- Fully
30-40 Sec ≥310kg/cm2 ≤7% L* ≥ 88
(ISO 10545) 1830g/L Resistant

G.ref 18 22 32 334 ✓
G1 1817 31 327 ✓
G2 18 16 32 337 ✓
G3 1813 33 340 ✓
G4 1811 33 331 ✓
G5 1808 36 337 ✓
* www.iso.org/standards/10545 (Accessed on: 12/10/2017)
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 Results and Discussion
Density of glazed floor tiles samples

Density (g/L)
1825

1820

1815

1810 Density (g/L)

1805

1800
G. Ref G1 G2 G3 G4 G5
Talc: 0% 3% 6% 9% 12% 15%

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Fluxing time of glazed floor tile
samples
Fluxing time (Sec)
37
36
35
34
33
32
31
Fluxing time (Sec)
30
29
28
27
G. Ref G1 G2 G3 G4 G5
Talc: 0% 3% 6% 9% 12% 15%

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Flexural strength (kg/cm2) of
glazed floor tiles samples
338

336

334

332
Strength kg/cm2
330

328

326
G. Ref G1 G2 G3 G4 G5
Talc: 0% 3% 6% 9% 12% 15%

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Color index of glazed floor tiles
samples
Table 3 Colorimeter Results
Glazed
Floor tile G. Ref G. 1 G. 2 G. 3 G. 4 G. 5
Samples
L* 90 90.3 90.1 90.4 91.6 92.8
a* 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.6 1.4
b* 6.9 6.9 6.4 6.4 6.6 6.5

Where:
L* represents whiteness (Opacity)
a* is green at one extremity
b* is blue at one extremity

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SEM Analysis

G. Ref G. 5

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Cost Analysis
Cost Comparison

G. Ref G. 5

150kg ZrSiO4/Ton of glaze 150kg Talc/Ton of glaze

Average price of ZrSiO4 is $1300/Ton Average price of Talc is $230.5/Ton
(150kg ZrSiO4)*$1300/1000 kg ZrSiO4 =$195 (150kg Talc)*$230.5/1000 kg Talc =$34.575

Substituting ZrSiO4 with talc can save $160.425/Ton of glaze (82.3% Savings)

Source: Alibaba.com(Accessed on: 10/10/2017)

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Conclusions
 The color index indicated that the whiteness
(Opacity) has been improved by replacing Zirconium
silicate with talc.
 Increasing the amount of talc and substituting
Zirconium silicate, decreases the density and
increases viscosity.
 The addition of talc gives better flux properties.
 The substitution of talc provides resistance to acids
and gives more surface brightness.
 The result of water absorption were found to be
reduced by addition of talc.
 Flexural strength remained in acceptable limits.
 Replacing Zirconium silicate with talc will reduce the
cost of opacifier by 82%.
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