Optimization of Ceramic Tile Properties from Three Malaysian Clays via Statistical Mixture Design

Clays are most important raw materials in the development of ceramic products, especially ceramic tiles body formulation. Optimization of properties of local clays for application in ceramic tiles industry is important to minimize production costs. The aim of this research work is to optimize properties of ceramic tile bodies containing three Malaysian clays (from Ipoh, Kuala Rompin and Mersing) effectively by using design of mixture experiment of both common floor (pressed at 20 MPa and sintered at 1105 degrees C) and porcelain (pressed at 31 MPa and sintered at 1170 degrees C) tiles production practices. Fired properties of body formulation were analysed by fired shrinkage in diameter and thickness, water absorption, bulk density, fired colour of L* and coefficient of thermal expansion. The outcome of the research work indicates that studied clays are suitable to be used in producing almost all ranges of ceramic tiles, but their application is highly dependent on the mineralogical composition and production parameters, such as pressing pressure and sintering temperature.