Properties of triaxial porcelain bodies: Interpretation of statistical modeling

The effect of raw materials type and content on the properties of clay-feldspar-quartz compositions was studied using the statistical design of mixture experiments. Based on wall and floor tile industrial practice, 10 mixtures of three raw materials were selected and processed. Characterization results were used to calculate statistically significant and valid regression equations, relating fired body properties with clay, feldspar, and quartz contents in the unfired mixture. Such statistical modeling is discussed against quantitative X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy results. The glassy phase present was found to control the microstructure and the mechanical strength of the fired ceramic body.