Applications of glaze and decor on dimensioned andesites used in construction sector

Abstract

This report presents initial results of the development process of a new product using andesites obtained from Afyon/Iscehisar region as an alternative to traditional ceramic wall and floor tiles used in construction sector. The series of characterization tests were conducted on andesite samples. Then, the samples were applied glaze for trial purposes. Analysis indicated that the andesite samples consisted of sanidine, mica and pyroxene minerals and its apparent porosity, density, water absorption and compressive strength values were 15.75%, 2610 g/cm 3, 7.43% and 40.7 MPa, respectively. In heat microscope measurements, maximum sintering was recorded at 1138 °C. Linear expansion coefficient ( α) of the andesite at 400 °C was 3.26 × 10 −6 K −1. Firing performed by using the prepared glaze recipe at approximately 1160 °C produced good results in terms of body-glaze harmony. In addition, different decorative surface finishes to be used in indoor and outdoor spaces were obtained via under glaze decorative technique.