Evaluation of a natural stone with fluxing capability in stoneware glazes

Abstract

New glaze systems have been continuously developed in order to supply certain advantages to ceramic bodies such as resistance against external thermal and mechanical forces and an aesthetic appearance as well as hygiene. Besides modifying ceramic systems already present, efforts on finding new applicable raw materials and their evaluation are of scientific and industrial importance. The current study was conducted to determine whether the natural stone, the chemical composition of which is 61.55 SiO2, 16.08 Al2O3, 6.18 Na2O, 2.80 K2O, 2.92 CaO, 1.64 MgO, 3.68 SrO, 2.33 ZrO2, 2.82 Fe2O3 (in wt %), can be evaluated in some of colourless and coloured stoneware glazes instead of K-feldspar because of its outstanding fluxing behaviour. At the end of the study ease of its use in the relevant glazes was confirmed.