Development of digital effect inks and investigation of process parameters

Inkjet printing is widely used for decorating ceramic tiles with pigment inks. This thesis is about a new product called effect ink material, which has similar structure to that of the raw glaze but is produced with ink technology. In the present study, recipes for glossy effect inks were developed for both floor and wall tiles. The effects of composition changes on surface properties were examined using the factorial experimental design method (Minitab 18). Quartz plays an important role on the glossiness and smoothness of wall tiles but the zinc oxide was the most effective factor on roughness. In addition, the effect of RO oxides coming from the frit content on glossiness is more effective than including them raw into the recipe. In recipe with the ratio of SiO2/CaO = ~2.61 % and CaO/ZnO = ~14.7 %, glossiness was high and roughness was low for wall tile. In floor tile applications, it has been determined that quartz and wollastonite are effective on glossiness, and zinc oxide and quartz are effective on roughness. When the effect is applied between the glaze and engobe on the floor tile, the crystalline phases give sharp peaks and the glassy phase is low. If the effect is applied on the top of surface, the amount of glassy phase increases. The surface on which the effect is applied and the surface chemistry change the properties of the effect ink. The product used, production process and experimental factorial design method also increase the distinctiveness of the study.