THE EFFECT OF FIRING TEMPERATURE ON THE PROPERTIES OF GLAZES PREPARED WITH BARIUM-BASED FRITS

Barium-based frits are widely used in the ceramic tile industry for the production of matte glazes. In these glazes, the microstructure—and consequently, the opacity and matte finish—vary depending on factors such as composition, application conditions, and firing temperatures. This study investigates the effects of different firing temperatures on the microstructure and properties of glazes prepared with barium-based frits. For this purpose, compositions containing 92 wt% barium-based frit and 8 wt% kaolin were milled, applied to the tile surface, and then fired in a laboratory furnace at four different peak temperatures (900, 1000, 1100, and 1200°C). The results indicate that the primary phase formed in the glaze structure is celsian at peak temperatures of 1100°C and 1200°C. As the temperature increases, the glassy phase expands, and crystal size increases. A decrease in the whiteness value (L*) value was observed with rising temperature; however, the glaze generally maintained its matte finish, as indicated by the 60° gloss value.