Ceramic body studies within the scope of reducing the moisture expansion value in ceramic wall tiles

Thermal expansion coefficient is a key factor In ceramic tiles manufacturing in order for the glaze and the body to be in harmony, the coefficients of thermal expansion should be close to each other. The ceramic body contains micropores and calcium ions, which expand the body by hydrating environmental factors (water absorption, pressure, etc.) over time. This situation is defined as moisture expansion. Wall tile moisture expansion is one of the problems frequently encountered in the ceramic industry. The moisture expansion problem reduces the waiting period of the wall tiles in stock and therefore is one of the most important factors affecting the service life. The thesis study was carried out by taking the wall tile masse recipe of a private enterprise producing ceramic tile materials in our country as a reference. In the scope of the thesis, the effect of temperature on moisture expansion was investigated initially. After investigating the effect of temperature, it was decided to carry out recipe studies. Recipe formulas were created by making proportional changes from feldspar, albite, calcite, pegmatite, kaolin, clays from different groups and dolomite raw materials that make up the wall tile body. By conducting temperature studies for the determined optimum recipe, the moisture expansion value was improved by approximately 65% with the effect of recipe and cooking temperature, and positive results were obtained.