Quantification of the effects of manufacturing factors on ceramic properties using full factorial design

Changes in microstructure and technical properties of vitrified ceramic samples, prepared from kaolinitic-clay and feldspar-rich raw materials from Cameroon, against feldspar content, firing temperature and soaking time were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope, and using full factorial design. Mullite, glassy phase and spinel were formed. The development of the two former phases improved the studied ceramic properties. The results of the full factorial design showed that temperature was the most influential factor, and its increase had a positive effect on ceramic properties. The effects of the flux content and soaking time were somewhat comparable and their impacts were similar to that of temperature. The effects of interactions between the factors were relatively less important and their weights differed for properties.