Process
Technology For The Production Of Ceramic Floor And Wall Tile
The composition
of the production cycle - i.e. the various phases of production,
necessary to obtain the final product, varies depending on the
type of product desired.
In general, there are essentially three basic production cycles
by which the entire range of different types of ceramic floor
and wall tile can be referred.
The first of these three production cycles, based on single firing
technology, is used to manufacture unglazed tile. The types of
unglazed tiles, produced with this production, technology are
as follows:
- Cotto
- Red stoneware
- Porcelain stoneware
- Klinker
The remaining
two production cycles are used to manufacture glazed tile.
The first of these two is based on double firing technology, which
obtains its name from the fact that two distinct firing treatments
are employed, one to consolidate the tile body and the other to
stabilize the glazes and decorations applied onto the fired tile
body. This production cycle is used for the manufacture of the
following types of products:
- Majolica
- Cottoforte
- Earthenware ( white body )
The second
of these last two cycles is based on single firing technology,
in which the glazes and decorations are applied on the dried but
unfired tile body, then subjected to a single heat treatment "single
firing" during which consolidation of the tile body and stabilization
of the glazing simultaneously takes place. This production cycle
is used for the manufacture of the following types of products:
- Single-fired
whiteware and redware
- Glazed Klinker
Further differentiation
also is possible within each production cycle; as well as, within
each phase of production.
Indeed, different technologies can be used for a particular phase
of production, and continuing towards an even greater degree of
detail, with different types of machinery and equipment being
used for a particular type of technology.
In addition,
there still can be significant variations in the operating parameters
and conditions of operation for two different production lines
using the same type of machinery and equipment. All these differences
are quite important, not only for purposes of the type of product
being produced but also in regard to the quality of the product
obtained
