The Effect of Addition of ZnO to Granite Body on Sintering and Mechanical Properties

Abstract

In granite body, 1-3-5 wt% ZnO was replaced instead of feldspar and fired in an industrial continuousproduction kiln. Physical properties of the tiles were determined including dried strength, fired strength,water absorption, fired loss, and colorimeter values. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electronmicroscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX) measurements for distinctive microstructuralchanges and phases formed were done. The fired strength values of the standard and 3% ZnO added bodyare 400 kg/cm2, 511 kg /cm2, respectively. Water absorption and firing shrinkage values are close to eachother. In the analysis of the sample with 3% added ZnO with XRD, it was observed that the solubility ofquartz was increased, mullite formation was prevented; besides 27.4 wt.% spinel phase and 13.8 wt.%albite formation was observed.