Investigation of process parameters for extruded fast fired terracotta facade tile production

In this thesis, investigation of the process parameters and design of high value-added and energy-efficient, red fired, extruded products were aimed by using raw materials of Eskişehir and its surroundings. Studies were performed by using all test and analysis equipments of Anadolu University, Department of Materials Science and Engineering and all production availabilities of Endel Co. (Kılıçoğlu) as university-industry collaboration. Firstly, reference samples were chosen due to their high performance among the samples obtained from national and foreign market. Afterwards, compositions were determined by Seger method from local raw materials which were not characterized detailly. Three different additives were added at proportions of 10 %, 15 % and 20 % into clay compositions, prepared at two different plasticity values. Production of defectless raw product, effective drying and fast firing conditions were defined, and then, pilot scale experimentations were carried out. Technological proficiency tests were applied on produced samples. Cappilary connections of pores became disconnect by increasing glassy phase and hence targeted water absorption value < 6 % and technological prefiency of referance samples' obtained under identified shaping, drying and fast firing conditions.