Glazed Tiles Research Articles

Tiebas Castle’ tuiles vernissées: Characterization, raw clay provenance, and manufacturing technology

Tiebas Castle was built between 1254 and 1264 as a royal residence of the kings of Navarre. The Castle was decorated with architectural luxuries imported from the French court. Some decorative elements of this French style are the polychrome roof tiles, called tuiles vernissées; and the glazed floor tiles, called carreaux de pavement. Both are the unique that have been found in the Iberian Peninsula. Elemental and mineralogical analysis allowed us to distinguish two different types of pastes that were used for both tuiles vernissées and carreaux de pavement: yellowish and reddish. The reddish paste was composed mainly of quartz, and to a lesser extent of haematite and illite. The yellow pastes were very rich in calcite and other calcium-bearing minerals (gehlenite, anorthite, diopside or wollastonite) and poorer in quartz and haematite. The different colour tones of the yellow paste samples allowed them to be classified into five subgroups (YP-1, YP-2, YP-3, YP-4, and YP-5). This classification turned out to coincide with a somewhat different mineral composition. The study of the mineral phases newly formed (gehlenite, anorthite, diopside and wollastonite) or destroyed (illite) during firing allowed us to estimate the maximum firing temperature of each of the subgroups. The temperature ranges for each subgroup were as follows: 750–800 °C (YP-5), 850–900 °C (YP-4), 900–925 °C (YP-3), 925–950 °C (YP-2), and 950–1000 °C (YP-1). The study of its possible raw materials allowed us to identify that the yellow pastes from tuiles vernissées and carreaux de pavement were prepared from a mixture of two clays. One of them was the decalcification clay (A15 clay) with which they also made the reddish pastes. The other component of the mixture was the marl from Castle hill. The proportion that the artisans used of both raw materials was 1:2 (twice as much marl as decalcification clay).

Preparation of a moisture-permeable glazed tile to prevent indoor floor condensation

Condensation would occur on smooth tiled floors during the period from winter to spring after rainy or continuous wet days in the hot-humid climate. It is an effective passive approach to use moisture-permeable tiles for mitigating surface condensation on indoor floors. This study proposes a moisture-permeable glazed tile prepared by the conventional tile-making process. The base tile of the proposed glazed tile is primarily composed of kaolin, quartz and feldspar, with addition of soluble starch as a pore-forming agent before firing. The glaze layer is formed by spraying a slurry which is a mixture of a low-temperature glaze and the pore-forming agent (soluble starch). The present study investigated the impact of the pore-forming agent ratio on tile porosity, wet capacity, breaking strength, moisture permeability, and abrasion resistance. It was found that the increase of the pore-forming agent ratio in the base tile can enhance the porosity and moist capacity of the base tile, and weaken the breaking strength. Moreover, the increase of the pore-forming agent in the glaze can improve moisture permeability of the glaze and reduce abrasion resistance. Through iterative experiments, the ratio of the pore-forming agent was optimized as 7.5 wt% for the base tile and 10 wt% for the glaze layer under consideration of the balance between mechanical properties and moisture absorption/permeability. Moisture capacity, water absorption and porosity of the prepared glazed tile are 0.469 g/cm³, 25.7 % and 37.7 %, respectively. The compressive breaking strength is more than 600 N (the standard for floor tiles), and the abrasion resistance of the glazed surface reaches Level 2 (meeting the standard for indoor use). Furthermore, the observation in a high-humidity environment reveals that the moisture-permeable glazed tile is capable of controlling condensation on its surface throughout a 24 h-period.

Enhancing thermal properties and surface quality of lappato glazed porcelain tiles through milling time optimization

Increasing the surface quality of porcelain tiles, preferred in public, commercial, and living centers, where human density is high, is one of the crucial goals. Surface applications can be applied on the tiles produced as glazed and unglazed tiles in different versions. In lappato glazed tiles, staining-resistance is of great importance besides glossy-surface and wear-resistance. In this study, technical properties such as staining, chemical agent-resistance, color-parameters, thermal-behavior (heat microscopy), roughness, abrasion resistance, and microstructure of glazes (SEM/EDS) depending on the optimizing grinding time were examined with compared to standard lappato-glaze under the industrial conditions. It was observed that with the increase of the glaze grinding, the whiteness value and the increasing smoothness, and higher staining chemicals resistance and the glaze which has lower characteristic temperatures than the standard. As the surface roughness decreased due to grinding, the number and size of pores in the microstructure decreased. The glassy phase exhibited homogeneous distribution due to the dissolution of anorthite crystals.

Structural Analysis of Glazed Tubular Tiles of Oriental Architectures Based on 3D Point Clouds for Cultural Heritage

Abstract. Laser scanning, along with its resultant 3D point clouds, constitutes a prevalent method for the documentation of cultural heritage. This paper introduces a novel workflow for the structural analysis of glazed tubular tiles that adorn the roofs of historical buildings in the Orient, utilizing 3D point clouds. The workflow integrates a robust segmentation algorithm utilizing the maximum principal curvature and normal vectors. Moreover, clustering algorithms, including DBSCAN, are incorporated to refine the clusters and thus increase segmentation accuracy. Structural analysis is enabled by cylindrical model fitting, which allows for the estimation of parameters and residuals. While the results exhibit commendable performance in individual tile segmentation, it is imperative to address the impact of substantial variations in scanning range and incident angles before engaging in the structural analysis fitting process. The results of experiment demonstrate that under conditions of significantly large scanning angles, the root mean square error (RMSE) for inadequately fitted tiles can extend to 0.066 m, surpassing twice the RMSE observed for well-fitted tiles. The proposed workflow proves to be applicable and exhibits significant potential to advance practices in cultural heritage documentation.

Colours of the Tijomel ceramic manufacture (1941-1992): characterisation of a set of ceramic colourants and glazed tiles from Decormel Materials Catalogue

Colours of the Tijomel ceramic manufacture (1941-1992): characterisation of a set of ceramic colourants and glazed tiles from Decormel Materials Catalogue

The influence of varying Cu doping concentrations on the microstructure, phase evolution and surface wettability of ceramic glazes modified with nano Cu-ZnO

This study intended to develop nano Cu-doped nano ZnO-modified ceramic glazes. In this scope, nano-sized ZnO and nano Cu powders were incorporated into a commercial glaze composition and then the modified glaze was applied to the surface using the spraying method. The glazed tiles were sintered in a laboratory furnace at 1210oC for 10 min. The surfaces of the sintered samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. X-Ray diffractometer, surface profilometer and contact angle goniometer. The study examined the influence of varying levels of Cu doping on the microstructural evolution and formation of phases, surface roughness, as well as the contact angle. Additionally, wettability conversion experiments were conducted under UV light. As a result, the addition of Cu increased the presence of Willemite crystals and also increasing the quantity and size of Plagioclase crystals. The contact angle of the sintered commercial glaze coated surface was measured to be 51.8o. However, when nano ZnO was added, the contact angle reduced to 44.4o. Likewise, the contact angle of the Cu doped nano ZnO coated surfaces decreased even further to approximately 33o. The inclusion of nano ZnO in commercial glaze resulted in a decrease in the Ra value, while doping Cu led to a modest increase in the Ra value. UV irradiation resulted in a reduction in the contact angles of all surfaces.

Precipitation synthesis of Zn2-xCoxSiO4 blue ceramic pigments: Color performance and application

A simplified precipitation route based on using silica hydrogel derived from serpentine minerals as a source of silica SiO2 has been first applied for producing blue cobalt-doped willemite pigments. The relevant variations of cobalt ions concentrations in SiO2–NaOH–ZnCl2–CoCl2–H2O system adequate with Zn2-xCoxSiO4 compositions where 0<x ≤ 0.92 and heat-treatment at 900 °C have yielded the pigments demonstrating a wide spectrum of blue tints. The optical characteristics of these pigments have revealed that Zn1·5Co0·5SiO4 pigment is distinguished by the highest absorption responsible for deepest blue hue similar to ultramarine. The comparison of their chromatic parameters with those of the identical ones produced by sol-gel routes has shown that the synthesized pigments with the compositions where x = 0.2 ÷ 0.5 manifest competitive color performances. The synthesis optimization has reduced calcination temperature up to 800 °C and stirring time up to 60 min. The homogeneity achieved in the intermediates by the suggested synthesis has yielded the pigments having uniform crystalline structure with controlled particle size. 120-minutes stirring has reduced the pigment particle size to dimensions less than 66 nm. Zn1.5Co0.5SiO4 pigment exhibits excellent color performances and tinting on heating up to 1200 °C and in wall tile glaze.

Recycling of granite sludge for the preparation of high‐strength glazed glass‐ceramics using stepwise sintering

AbstractThe reutilization of granite sludge generated in granite cutting and processing possesses economic and ecological benefits. In this study, high‐strength glazed glass‐ceramics were prepared entirely from granite powder using dense sintering and instantaneous glaze firing. The densification and glaze formation are clarified in terms of phase evolution to study their effects on the flexural strength and surface glossiness of the glass‐ceramics. The milling process promotes particle refinement and the removal of colored minerals, thus increasing the powder whiteness and sinterability. After dense sintering at 1100°C, instantaneous glaze firing at high temperatures decreases the flexural strength while greatly increases the surface glossiness of the glass‐ceramics due to the dissolution of quartz and feldspars in the liquid phase. After the acid‐leached powder was densely sintered and fired with a rapid heating of 50°C/min to 1300°C, the pinhole‐free glazed glass‐ceramic has a flexural strength of 112.5 MPa and a surface glossiness of 54.7 GU (glossiness unit), meeting the quality requirements of the bright glazed tiles in the market. The stepwise sintering process provides a simple processing route for recycling granite sludge into decorative construction tiles and high‐temperature glazes, promising the scalable and value‐added utilization of granite sludge.

Ceramic floor tiles with yellow pigment from Kievan Rus’: A technological study

Colored glazed ceramic tiles were widely used for paving floors of the main buildings, mostly Orthodox churches, in the Kievan Rus’ (10th-13th centuries AD). The production of ceramic floor tiles was localized near the site of construction, and the date of production can be attributed to the date of construction or renovation of the church. Therefore, the study of glazed tiles makes it possible to determine the local and chronological features of their production technology.. Local production technology in Ancient Rus' was studied using thirteen yellow glazed ceramic tiles from six cities (Kiev, Galich, Polotsk, Vladimir-Volynsky, Pereslavl-Zalessky and Novgorod). Also, two samples were selected from churches in Polotsk, Vladimir-Volynsky and Vyshgorod at different times of construction or renovation to study chronological variations in tile production technology. Chemical compositions and crystalline phases of yellow glaze and ceramic body have been analyzed by X-ray diffraction, Raman and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. In all cases, samples of ceramic tiles were glazed with high-lead silicate glass, and lead tin yellow type II (PbSn1-xSixO3) was used as a pigment. Local production technology in Ancient Rus' was studied using thirteen yellow glazed ceramic tiles from six cities (Kiev, Galich, Polotsk, Vladimir-Volynsky, Pereslavl-Zalessky and Novgorod). Also, two samples were selected from churches in Polotsk, Vladimir-Volynsky and Vyshgorod at different times of construction or renovation to study chronological variations in tile production technology. Most likely, the glaze layer on the ceramic tile was formed using pre-synthesized glass; this technology differs from the conventional technology for pottery, uses lead oxide or a mixture of lead oxide and quartz. Data on the chemical composition of yellow lead glazed tiles dating from the 10th-13th centuries AD can be used to determine the region of glazed ceramic production.

Study of the Synthesis Variables in the Preparation of CoAl2O4 Pigment Using Microwaves to Reduce Energetic Consumption

Due to the importance of optimizing the manufacture of ceramic pigments, motivated by the increase in prices of both raw materials and energy, and the need to control manufacturing parameters to obtain optimal conditions for the preparation of ceramic inks, two synthesis routes (traditional route and coprecipitation) and two calcination methods (traditional oven and microwave oven) are proposed to obtain the blue ceramic pigment CoAl2O4 with the aim of minimizing the use of mineralizers or flux agents and reducing energy consumption in its manufacturing. The pigments prepared were characterized by thermal analysis and structurally by XRD and SEM, with particle sizes below 300 nm observed. Finally, the colorimetric coordinates of glazed tiles with the pigments obtained were characterized. In all cases, the microwave-assisted synthesis increased the color intensity, considerably decreasing the temperature and calcination time, obtaining a particle size under 300 nm with a very narrow size distribution, and substantially improving the energy cost of its preparation and the color development of the final product. The viability of the combination of synthesis by coprecipitation and microwave calcination as a method of industrial preparation of ceramic pigments has been demonstrated.

Chemical Compositions of Chinese Glazed Tiles from an Imperial Mausoleum of the Liao Dynasty

Glazed tiles are characteristic architectural ceramics traditionally used in ancient Chinese royal buildings. Studies on their chemical compositions have provided valuable information regarding their compositional classifications and the provenances of their raw materials. Existing studies have mainly focused on the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368 AD) or later. Research on earlier ages is limited because of a lack of samples. In this study, we used an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to analyze the chemical compositions of 18 glazed tiles unearthed from an imperial mausoleum (the Xinli site) from the Liao dynasty (969–982 AD). The glazes of the tiles had a SiO2–Al2O3–PbO ternary oxidic system and the bodies of the tiles had a SiO2–Al2O3 binary oxidic system. Certain compositional differences were observed among the samples with different types of decorations. Compared with samples from the Yuan dynasty and later periods, the Xinli samples had higher SiO2 and Al2O3 contents and lower PbO and CuO contents in the tile glazes. The tile bodies of the Xinli samples had compositions similar to those of tile bodies from the Qing dynasty (1616–1912 AD). We speculated that the Xinli samples with different decorations came from different kiln sites.

Application of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Quantitative Analysis of the Chemical Composition of Historical Lead Silicate Glasses

The study of the chemical composition of historical glasses is widely used in archaeometry. The results of such analyses provide information on the probable date, place, and technological features of their production. Over time, a weathered layer may form on the surface of the glass, which differs in composition from the original one. To determine the initial composition using conventional methods (for example, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy), the weathered layer should be removed. For historical objects, such manipulation is unacceptable and should be minimized. One of the methods for analyzing the chemical composition with minimal damage to a sample is laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. The aim of this work was to develop a LIBS method, which makes it possible to perform a quantitative analysis of lead silicate glasses, including glasses containing a weathered layer. Reference glasses with a variable content of potassium, silicon, and lead oxides were synthesized, and based on the LIBS spectra, a calibration dependence was obtained that made it possible to measure the concentration of lead and potassium oxides in glasses within 70–85 and 5–20 wt%, respectively. The method was applied to analyze the composition of the glaze on a historic glazed tile from the burial church in the Euphrosinian monastery in Polotsk (the second half of the 12th century AD). The crater formed with the laser beam on the glazed surface was about 200 microns. Such damage is negligible compared to the total surface area of the tile (~10 cm2). The thickness of the weathered glaze layer was 70 microns, which was determined using variation in lead oxide content.

Technological Analysis of Glazed Tiles Unearthed from Bao’ensi in Nanjing

To understand the firing technology and the level of production of glazed tiles in the Ming Dynasty, an ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared (UV-vis-NIR) spectrophotometer and an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer were used to systematically analyze the glaze color and chemical composition of glazed tiles unearthed from the southern area of the Bao’ensi site. The results revealed that little difference exists in the main wavelengths of the same glazed tile samples, but that the colored elements of glaze with different colors are different. Iron (Fe) is the main element that affects the color of yellow glaze; copper (Cu) is the main element that affects the color of green glaze; and the main colorants that affect the color of black glaze are Fe, Cu, and manganese (Mn). The yellow and black glaze unearthed from the southern area of the Bao’ensi site were relatively mature in terms of raw material composition and technological formula, whereas the raw material and technological formula of green glaze were not stable enough. To meet temple construction needs, workers were skilled in firing glazed tiles with different glaze color requirements, indicating that the glaze color of the glazed tiles was relatively mature at that time.

GIS-based inventory for safeguarding and promoting Portuguese glazed tiles cultural heritage

Innovative, non-invasive, digital, and cost-effective instruments for systematic inventory, monitoring and promotion are a valuable resource for managing tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Due to its powerful and effective inventory and analysis potential, which allows supporting central and local entities responsible for cultural heritage management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have proven to be an appropriate information technology for developing these kinds of instruments. Given the above, this work aims to introduce a GIS-based instrument to support inventorying, safeguarding, tourism, and cultural promotion of the traditional Portuguese glazed tile (‘azulejo’, in Portuguese) to raise general awareness of the importance of this unique Portuguese heritage. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no other instrument available with inventory and safeguarding management functions that is accessible and affordable, developed to be used at a municipal level and that contributes to the enrichment of the cultural and tourist information. Information from 70 tile works located in the Portuguese city of Covilhã was used to test the proposed GIS tool, resulting in a georeferenced alphanumeric, graphical, image and drawing inventory and in three pedestrian routes for touristic and cultural heritage promotion. The results were validated by both the research team and the municipality of Covilhã, foreseeing its expansion and daily use in the management of the heritage of the traditional Portuguese glazed tile. The proposed instrument can be replicated in other locations and easily implemented and managed by municipalities or institutions dealing with the protection of cultural heritage.

Technological and economical investigation of glaze preparation using dry stirred media mill

Ceramic tiles are the most common building material for floor and wall coverings in many countries. Glazed tiles are produced from mixture of frits and some additional raw materials applied on the surface of green tiles and subjected to a firing process. A new method of processing of glaze that is dry stirred media mill was investigated in a pilot grinding plant. The produced glaze particle size, shape and surface area are measured. The comparison was made with the product of conventional wet discontinue ball mills using the same wall tile glaze recipes. The results indicated that dry stirred media mill can provide product that have finer particle size distribution, more stable product compared to the conventional wet ball milling. The glaze thermal expansion and optical properties such as colour (L, a and b parameters) of the produced glazes were measured and comparison was also made in details. Finally, the microstructural characteristics of the produced glazes were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results have shown that dry stirred media mill enhances glaze properties and process economy considerably.

International trade of lead for glazed tile production in ancient East Asia

AbstractGlazed tiles were prestigious building materials reserved for embellishing the roofs of royal architectures of ancient states in East Asia. This paper, by studying glazed tiles from the palace precincts of Shangjingcheng, Xigucheng, and Baliancheng, three capital cities of the Bohai state (698–926 ad), aims to expose the vibrant technological and economic interactions among ancient states of East Asia untold in historical chronicles. Although it is well recorded that Bohai maintained intimate political, cultural, and commercial engagements with the Tang empire and the Yamato state, it is obscure what kinds of technology and commodities were involved in these activities. It appears that the bodies of these tiles were produced of local iron‐rich clays, and the glazes were made of compounds of the same clays and lead materials. The glazing technique may have been transmitted from the Tang empire yet modified in response to local circumstances. Lead materials were acquired from various sources, partly from the one for the Huangye sancai wares in the Tang empire, and partly from the one for Nara sancai wares of the Yamato state in Japan. Archaeology is therefore capable of enriching our knowledge of the human past, even in the historical period.

Study on the microscopic damage characteristics for glazed tiles of ancient buildings after lightning strike

Study on the microscopic damage characteristics for glazed tiles of ancient buildings after lightning strike

Desain Monitoring Sistem pada Tungku Pembakaran dengan Pendekatan Multi-level Digital Twin

Abstract-Industry 4.0 discusses concepts related to intelligent systems. There are many concepts related to intelligent systems, one of which is the digital twin concept. The digital twin concept as a data acquisition tool is used to build digital information for a physical system. The company is a producer of murando glazed tiles. in the roof tile production process at the company, there are defective rooftiles produced by the company, namely white stone defects and cracked roof tiles. Cracked roof tiles are caused by inappropriate temperatures during the firing process. With a temperature monitoring system in the roof tiles furnace, combustion temperatures can be monitored in real-time. Monitoring system design using a multi-level approach can describe in detail the architecture of the monitoring system based on the digital twin concept. The website is designed using the Human Centered Design method so can produce a website user interface that is in line with the goals and needs of the user. The monitoring system can provide real-time information on the temperature of the roof tiled anywhere with a design that suits the user's needs.

Correlating the physico-chemical properties of two conventional glazed porcelain stoneware tiles in relation to cleanability and sanitization

Keeping surfaces clean can reduce the spread of infections. In particular, to decrease the potential for SARS CoV-2 contamination, performing disinfection of high-touching surfaces. Several ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware tiles with antimicrobial properties are already available on the market. However, the widespread use of antimicrobial glazed stoneware tiles may require to replace the ceramic surfaces already present in many buildings. The unfeasibility of such replacement can be due to both product durability (lifetime of a tile is usually long) and/or monetary restrictions. Furthermore, as porcelain stoneware per se does not have antimicrobial activity, these materials are fabricated by adding chemical agents able to provide antimicrobial properties. This approach requires a compatibility between the antimicrobial agents and the glaze formulation, as well as a careful control of the firing cycle and the final properties of the ceramic products. It follows that the final cost of antimicrobial tiles is not competitive with that of conventional tiles. In the latter, the persistence of potential pathogens on the surfaces is a crucial problem to face: the longer a pathogen survives on a surface, the longer it may be a source of transmission and thus endanger susceptible subjects. In this work, bacteria's capacity to adhere and to be effectively removed from two conventional glazed porcelain stoneware tiles (under dirty and clean conditions) was investigated. Two different glazes were tested, one mainly glassy (glossy) and the other mainly crystalline (matt). The sanitization procedures were carried out by chemical and chemo-mechanical procedures. The results showed that chemo-mechanical sanitization was the most effective, and the best results could be obtained on the stoneware tiles coated with the mainly glassy glaze, with the lowest porosity and the lower roughness values and water contact angles, especially under clean conditions.

The characteristics and production method between glazed and unglazed of ceramic and porcelain tiles by firing process: A review

This paper reviews the difference between glazed and unglazed ceramic and porcelain tiles, other than the fact that glazed tiles undergo an additional phase in the firing process. Both tiles are made of clay and burned in a kiln, but porcelain is a particular sort of ceramic. Porcelain clays have a greater density and are burnt at a higher temperature for a longer period time than ceramic clays. This makes it denser and more durable than ceramic tile. The variation in components and production process results in tiles with distinct properties. Although glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles are a little less robust in terms of density and thickness than their unglazed counterpart, they allow for a wider range of styles and colours. Some varieties of glazed tile are fired at higher temperatures than others, and therefore are harder as well. Unglazed tiles are denser and thicker than glazed tiles due to their unfinished appearance. In addition to safety, ceramic and unglazed ceramic tiles are scratch resistant. Because they have the colour of the mineral deposits from which the clay was originally mined, these tiles have a natural aesthetic. The major difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles is how it’s made. In conclusion, porcelain tiles are superior to ceramic tiles based on these reviews.