The influence of particle size distribution on the surface appearance of glazed tiles

Matte glaze was milled in for different times (15–50 min) and the glazes obtained were applied over ceramic bodies which were then fired using an industrial cycle and the final surfaces were analyzed using a glossmeter. The same glazes were also uniaxially pressed, forming cylindrical samples; the specimens were placed on engobe surfaces and fired at 1100 °C in a laboratory oven. The contact angles between the melted specimens and the ceramic surfaces were measured to determine their wettability. The results showed a correlation between the glaze particle size distribution and the surface aspect of the final product.