Development of TiO2 white glazes for ceramic tiles

The objective of this work was the use of titania polymorphs (rutile and anatase) in substitution of zirconia as the main component for producing white opacity in ceramic glazes for tile coatings. Initially, total zirconia (12% mass fraction) was replaced in the standard frit by rutile and by anatase in mass fractions of 5%, 10% and 15%, forming two frit groups processed as ceramic glazes. The glaze color was determined by spectrophotometry and the glaze microstructure by XRD and SEM. The results showed the frit containing 10% anatase formed a totally white glaze presenting excellent coating capacity. The frits containing rutile produced yellow opacity. The results of microscopy and X-rays diffraction revealed that opacity was caused by tiny rutile crystals in the anatase frits and by titanite crystals in the rutile frits.