The Manufacture of Tiles (l/4"x4"x4") Using Vigan Clay, Silica, and Ball Clay

Abstract

This study attempted to find out which of the different formulations of clay materials and substances using Vigan clay, silica, and ball clay would yield better quality of clay tiles in terms of drying shrinkage (measurement) and appearance during leather-hard stage and biscuit firing. It focused its investigation on four formulations of clay body using Vigan clay (V), silica (S), and ball clay (B) at different percentages/proportions, namely: FormulationA (60-20-20 VSB); Formulation B (60-25-15 VSB); Formulation C (60-30-10 VSB); and Formulation D (60-35-05 VSB). Results ofthe study showed that Formulation D yielded the best quality of clay tiles both in drying shrinkage (measurement) and appearance during the leather-hardstage and after biscuit firing. While the clay tile samples from the four formulations of clay body significantly differed in drying shrinkage (measurement) during leather-hard stage, they had slight difference in measurement during the leather-hard stage and after biscuit firing.