Low-gloss, silky matte glaze for porcelain tiles

Abstract

Porcelain is a ceramic tile used worldwide, especially for its technical and aesthetic properties. In this increasingly competitive sector, innovative products are continually developed to meet the market's demands, such as glazed ceramic tiles with a matte surface, low surface gloss, and silky texture. In this research, a matte glaze for porcelain tiles with low surface brightness (9 to 14 UB) and silky texture was obtained. In particular, 16 formulations of ceramic glaze were studied, which were ground and applied to binil on a laboratory scale and then fired in an industrial kiln at 1192 °C for 45 min. The fired specimens were physically, chemically, thermally, and structurally characterized. The formulation that yielded the best results was tested on an industrial scale and technologically characterized. This formulation met the aesthetic (texture and gloss) and technological (resistance to staining, chemical attack, surface abrasion, and cracking) requirements of the Brazilian technical standard.