SUITABILITY OF FELDSPAR-SAND DEPOSITS AS RAW MATERIALS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CERAMIC TILES AT WADI EL-YATIMA – WADI EL-TULEIA DISTRICT, CENTRAL EASTERN DESERT, EGYPT

The function of feldspar in ceramic bodies is that of a flux and it takes a part in physio-chemical reactions with other crystalline phases. Two formulations were studied on laboratory scale and on production simulation of tile making process, compared with standard one. The tiles made up of feldspar-sand as raw materials and fired between 1125°C (wall tile) and 1185°C (floor tiles). The properties of wall tiles were found to have the water absorption are of 13.43 - 16.25%, bulk density are of 1.65-1.68 g/cm3, apparent porosity are of 22.24-26.82%, linear shrinkage are of 0.01-0.06%, bending strength are of 18.45-23.08 kg/cm2 and loss on ignition are of 3.6-6.0% for wall tiles. Meanwhile, the results of floor tiles were found that the water absorption are of 0.88 - 6.76%, bulk density are of 1.67-1.69 g/cm3, apparent porosity are of 5.11-15.17%, linear shrinkage are of 5.24-6.8%, bending strength are of 22.7-39 kg/cm2 and loss on ignition are of 3.6-6.0%. Among the studied compositions and firing temperatures, tiles (wall & floor) made from a blend containing 29% (wall)-45% (floor) feldspar and 10% (wall) quartz, calcium carbonate 7% (wall), Aswan clay 54% (wall), ball clay 50 % (floor) and talc 5% (floor); and fired at 1125°C (wall) to 1185°C (floor), were found to have the best properties for the production of ceramic tiles. This is an indication that Wadi El-Yatima – Wadi El-Tuleia feldspar-sand deposit is suitable raw materials for the production of ceramic tiles.