Influence of particle size and furnace atmosphere on the sintering of powder for tiles production

Abstract

The effects of both particle size and furnace atmosphere on the sintering of ceramic powder used in the production of tiles was studied. The investigation was performed on two powders having different grain sizes: 63 - 90 μm and 400 - 500 μm. The samples were compacted and sintered at different experimental conditions; steady air and flowing air, at temperatures 400 - 600°C, and flowing oxygen, at temperatures 400 - 600°C, 600 - 800°C and 800 - 1000°C. In order to investigate particle size and furnace atmosphere influence, the following characteristics of samples were measured: quantity and composition of amorphous phase, porosity, relative density, shrinkage and compressive strength. The results indicate negligible influence of atmosphere, in comparison with the influence of the initial particle size.