Color matching algorithms in ceramic tile production

In the present work, the possibility of transferring in the ceramic tiles production the know-how developed in the field of the paints by using the Kubelka-Munk theory, in the form used for opaque surface coatings, have been evaluated. Five different target colors have been chosen as target and tried to reproduce with an industrial glaze in a cycle for fine porcelain stoneware tiles. Four industrial pigments have been chosen as basic stains for the formulations. The results show a good efficiency of the color matching algorithm applied to pigments for glazes for fine porcelain stoneware tiles. All the formulations, in fact, have allowed to obtain a value of Delta E* lower to the accepted limit. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.