Use of Turkish pumice in stoneware formulations

Abstract

The results are reported of an investigation into use of pumice as an alternative economic fluxing agent in stoneware formulations. Pumice was obtained from two different regions in Turkey and added to a standard stoneware formulation instead of feldspar. Following shaping by slip casting, the vitrification behavior of the representative specimens was examined over a range of firing temperatures. A suitable glaze for the optimum formulation was also developed and applied. Moreover, a detailed characterization of the resultant microstructure was achieved using XRD and SEM techniques. It was concluded that pumice has potential use in stoneware formulations.