REFRACTORY CLAY RAW MATERIALS OF REPUBLIC OF BELARUS FOR PRODUCTION OF THE PORCELAIN TILE

The possibility of replacing imported refractory clays and kaolines, which are part of porcelain stoneware mix, with refractory clay materials of the Republic of Belarus, in particular quartz-pyrophyllite-kaolinite rock and kaolin of “Dedovka” and “Sitnitsa” deposits, was explored. Porcelainised stoneware body formulations of JSC “Keramin” (Minsk, Republic of Belarus) was taken as the basis. It was found that physico-chemical properties and operational characteristics of porcelain tiles comply with the requirements of EN 14411: 2014, when adding 2.5–15.0 wt.% quartz-pyrophyllite-kaolinite rock. Incorporation of quartz-pyrophyllite-kaolinite rock in percentage higher than 15.0 wt.% resulted in reduction in the total amount of the vitreous phase of porcelain stoneware, thus increasing water absorption, apparent porosity as well as reduces flexural strength and bulk density. The main crystalline phases in the synthesized materials were quartz and mullite. It was also revealed that imported kaolines could be completely replaced by kaolines of “Dedovka” and “Sitnitsa” deposits. In this, required physico-chemical properties and operational characteristics of porcelain tiles was maintained. SEM analysis revealed that specimens synthesized using considered kaolines show quite dense microstructures, with a high degree of vitrification. The gas phase in these materials was practically absent, the presence of only individual small irregular pores was found. XRD analysis indicated that the major phases were mullite, quartz, microcline and hematite. It was hematite that gives the obtained porcelain stoneware samples a dark gray color scheme. Thus, the use of domestic refractory clay raw materials provides import substitution and declining production costs.