Effect of sintering condition on linear shrinkage of porcelainized stoneware tiles by two full factorial experimental design

The linear firing shrinkage, with water absorption, apparent density and modulus of rupture, is commonly used as a process control parameter in industrial ceramics. In the paper its optimization is studied with a two full factorial experimental design approach. In particular, the influence of forming pressure, sintering temperature and time have been investigated. It has been verified that Design Of Experiment (DOE) approach is a suitable tool to identify the significant factors that control the densification process of porcelainized stoneware tiles. Moreover a mathematical model has been proposed and tested with good results. The obtained results evidenced that the variable with the higher influence is the sintering temperature followed by time while forming pressure has shown a non influent effect.