Relationship between microstructure and the impact resistance of porcelain stoneware tiles

Abstract

In this study, the variation of microstructural properties in porcelain stoneware tiles was determined by changing the holding time at peak temperature during sintering, and effects of these microstructural changes on impact resistance of porcelain stoneware tiles were examined. Only the F4 samples passed the impact resistance test according to CSTB-NF-UPEC test. This sample has 12.3 wt.% quartz, 1.5 wt.% corundum, 5.8 wt.% anorthite, 13.5 wt.% mullite, and 66.9 wt.% glassy phase. When the relationship between mechanical properties and impact resistance was evaluated, it should be emphasized that only F4 sample with a breaking strength higher than 75 MPa passed the impact test. It can be said that there is a critical threshold in terms of impact resistance, especially for samples which have bending strength greater than 75 MPa. When evaluating the microstructural details, this study shows that a single crystalline phase is not effective for impact resistance behavior of the porcelain stoneware tiles and many factors should be evaluated together. (C) 2020 SECV. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U.