Utilization of slate wastes in clay and glaze bodies

Natural stones are the perfect formation of the long process of nature. Earth's crust is constantly in motion, is a productive layer. Factors such as temperature and pressure will be effective on all ingredients. New and different structures occurs. The rock structure depending on the composition and physical interaction. Metamorphism is known as the most effective and common factors. Formation process varies depending on the hardness and density of rocks physical location of components and raw materials. Slate located abundantly in nature. It is often used as a decorative material in architecture. Natural color varies from gray to red and green. Sometimes it petrified because of the layered structure similar to a clay layer. During the removal of large amounts of slag waste from the mine occurs. These wastes are sometimes used as a way of filling material. Slate waste is taken from Kütahya. In this study, the evaluation of slate wastes as glaze and clay body raw material was aimed. In the first stage, chemical (XRF), mineralogical (XRD) and thermal microscopy analyses, grain size distribution, and color and melting characteristics of slate waste at 1160 °C were determined. The waste was used in a ratio ranging between 10 % and 90 % in the glaze and clay body recipes. Glazed and unglazed samples were fired at 1160 °C. It has been observed that glossy and matte glazed surfaces changing from honey and buff to reddish brown color have been formed. It was also produced that more effective glazed and unglazed surfaces are formed with colorants (metal oxides) and through different glazing techniques. Standard white body color is return to terracota color tones in slate waste added clay bodies.