Effect of calcined colemanite additions on properties of hard porcelain body

Utilization of calcined colemanite as a sintering aid in hard porcelain body, prepared by slip casting route using aqueous suspension containing mixtures of kaolin, quartz and potassium feldspar, was investigated. After calcination, colemanite powders were added to the admixture of porcelain by partial substitution with potassium feldspars in the range of 0-5 wt% to discover its influences on the densification and technological properties of the final product. Through optimization of process parameters of ceramic suspensions by using appropriate dispersing agents and facilitating densification by calcined colemanite addition, hard porcelain possess high strength was obtained. When relationship between the additive concentration with temperature was established, it is found that porcelain formulations resulted in substantial reduction of firing temperature about 50 °C without compromising its quality by 1 wt% calcined colemanite addition.