Use of Experimental Design to Evaluate the Effect of the Incorporation of Quartzite Residues in Ceramic Mass for Porcelain Tile Production

The potential of using quartzite residues in the composition of an industrial ceramic mass for porcelain tile production was investigated through experimental design. Chemical, physical and microstructural analyses were accomplished to understand how the incorporation of quartzite residues affects the material, before and after sintering. Central composite design was used to analyze the effects of firing temperature (1143; 1160; 1200; 1240; 1257ºC) and residue content (1.76; 3; 6; 9; 10.24 wt.%) on the physical-mechanical properties of the material, and regression models correlating these fac...