This work presents an investigation that was undertaken for three types of kaolinitic clays from the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with a potential use in whiteware floor tiles bodies. Different compositions prepared by mixing the three clays with other materials such as kaolin, quartz, philite, potash feldspar and talc, were investigated and compared with an industrial ceramic body for whiteware floor tiles (group BIIa). Physical and mechanical properties such as linear shrinkage, water absorption and flexural strength were evaluated in pressed specimens fired at temperatures varying from 1025 to 1225 ºC. The microstructure of the specimens was studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and mercury porosimetry. The results indicated that the prepared compositions presented microstructural characteristics, specially the pore size distribution, and technological properties that are compatible with low-porosity ceramic tiles. However, they also display characteristics, such as an excessive plasticity and high loss on ignition, that could generate problems during the industrial processing.
ceramic tiles; clay; kaolinite
