Utilization of perlite as an alternative raw material in the production of ceramic sanitaryware

Perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass and an industrial mineral. Because of its relatively low price and density, perlite has a lot of commercial application. Generally, it is used in the horticultural and construction sector. Perlite is a candidate raw material for ceramic products due to its high amorphous phase. Perlite usage in ceramic sanitaryware is investigated with this work. For this purpose, albite was gradually decreased and perlite was added at rates of 3, 5, and 10% to the standard sanitaryware composition instead of albite. All tests and analyses were done under industrial conditions. The compositions were examined based on the rheological and technological properties, chemical analysis, phase analysis, and thermal analysis (thermal expansion coefficient and high-temperature deformation). According to the results, perlite addition increases fired shrinkage, fired strength, and dry shrinkage. Fired strength rose significantly up to 715 kg cm−2. Water absorption values were under 0.02% for all test samples. Besides, the thermal expansion coefficient of the bodies increased up to 10% with perlite addition and then decreased. Thermal expansion coefficient values were determined between 60.1 and 64.9 × 10−7 K−1. High-temperature deformation values decreased up to 10% with perlite addition. The composition which contains 3% perlite showed minimum deformation ( − 4.25%) at 1250 °C. As a result, it was determined that the use of perlite would be possible in ceramic sanitaryware compositions.