Effect of granitic rock wastes and basalt on microstructure and properties of porcelain stoneware

Porcelain stoneware tiles are materials with excellent technical properties processed by using high temperatures and fast firing cycles that requires high-quality fluxes. However, high cost and exhaustive reserves of traditional used feldspars limits their use. The study of the fluxing potential of granitic rock wastes and basalts and their effect on properties and microstructure of porcelain tiles was carried out. The addition of the basalt in the amount of 7.5 wt% leads to the best densification behavior and near-zero water absorption of the samples. The properties of porcelain tiles with addition of basalt and granitic rock wastes show the possibility of their limit use as fluxes in ceramic tiles industry.