Estudo de composição de argilas naturais com diferentes teores de cálcio para utilização em revestimentos cerâmicos e seus efeitos na expansão por umidade.

Abstract

In the world actual economy, Brazil appears as the biggest occidental market for ceramic tiles covers and as the third major world exporter of these products. Inserted in this scenery, the state of Sergipe is nowadays one of the ceramics polés of Brazil. A large quantity of available clay in Sergipe has a high percentage of calcium carbonate that is not well accepted in the manufacturing of semi porous and vitrified tiles covers, due to single fast firing. This report studied composition of three natural red clays with different rates of calcium carbonate used in one industrial plant in the state of Sergipe. A broad characterization of these clays has been made not only as a powdered shape but also as in the sinterized ceramics body, resulting the evidence of the influence of the mineralogical composition on the moisture expansion phenomena. The application of the dilatometer showed itself as a tool for the development of ceramics formulations based on the natural clays. Another aspect became evident on the studies, so as the increasing on the rates of carbonate in the ceramics mass provides a decrease in the moisture expansion while it enables the forming of crystalline phases of calcium aluminum silicates and a smaller formation of vitreous phase. Has been also observed that the effect of additives, compacting pressure and the firing cycle, during identification of the best formulation for industrial uses. Has been defined also a composition that attended the exigencies of normal standards, enabling the use of these calcites clays in the production process, deriving a very short firing cycle, which will provide a strong economical return rate for the industrial plant.