The use of foundry waste sand from investment casting in the production of porcelain tiles

In this study, the effects of different types of investment casting waste sand were investigated in porcelain tile production in place of clay and kaolin. Dry and firing shrinkages, water absorption, dry and firing strengths and densities of porcelain tile bodies were determined. In addition, color measurements, XRD analysis and SEM analyses of the relevant samples were also investigated. A1, A2, A3, B and C porcelain tiles had higher density, firing shrinkage and firing strength values. However, they had lower water absorption, dry shrinkage and dry strength values than those of the reference porcelain tile. Quartz, mullite and albite were found in all the bodies as main phases and, in addition, zircon phase was determined in bodies in which waste sand was incorporated.