Papers by Author: S.J.G. Sousa

Abstract: The ornamental rock industry generates huge amounts of waste in form of fine powder, demanding adequate alternatives for its final disposal. The possibility of using ornamental rock waste as a flux in porcelain tile has been assessed. The porcelain tile formulations are constituted mainly by kaolin, feldspar and quartz. The waste was added to a typical porcelain tile body, replacing the sodic feldspar by up to 15 wt. %. The prepared pastes were fired of 1240°C using a fast-firing cycle. The specifications of porcelain floor tile in terms of physical properties were achieved.