This work evaluates the use of statistical design of experiment on the development of formulations for ceramic tiles production, trying to minimise the empirical character industrially found on this processing step. Mixtures of three raw materials used in tile production (clay, feldspar and quartz sand), were processed under standardised conditions, aiming at the quantification of the contribution of each raw material influence on mechanical strength and water absorption of the bodies after sintering. The influences of two process variables, pressing and sintering temperature, were also evaluated. Results obtained show the potential on utilising statistical design of experiments with mixtures and process variables techniques on the study and development of formulations for ceramic tiles.
ceramic tiles; statistical design of experiments; mixture variables; process variables
