CTCV - CENTRO TECNOLOGICO DA CERAMICA E DO VIDRO

CTCV - Capacities/equipments/techniques available

X-ray diffraction (XRD)

The mineralogy of the samples will be performed carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), in a X-ray diffractometer of brand PANalytical (model with X’Pert-Pro), with X-ray bulb of ceramic insulator and copper anticathode (Cu). The apparatus is equipped with a vertical goniometer -2, with a programmable divergence slit system, ultrafast detector (model X’Celerator), antiscatter automatic slit, with sample rotation system. The equipment have an acquisition and data processing software, being the data processing made by the module Highscore Plus, which is coupled to ICDD database, integrated in module X’Pert PRO.

This analysis will be performed on a mounting of non-oriented aggregates, after drying the sample at 40-50ºC, grinding and passing the sieve of 75 µm (# 200 ASTM).

Fluorescence Spectrometry X-rays (XRF)

The chemical quantitative analysis of clay will be carried out after drying of the material at 100-110ºC, grinding and passing the sieve of 75 µm (# 200 ASTM).

This analysis will be performed by Fluorescence Spectrometry X-rays (XRF), a spectrophotometer X-ray, equipped with light bulb with anti-cathode Rh, 60 kV/ 4000 W.

Simultaneous thermal analysis (STA)

The simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) of materials will be determined by thermogravimetric (DTG) and thermodifferential  (DSC), after drying the material at 100-110ºC, grinding and passing the sieve of 75 µm (# 200 ASTM).

The equipment used in this test will be a thermobalance STA 449C NETZSCH, consisting basically an analytical balance of high sensitivity associated with a kiln. Inside the kiln there is a port system in which samples are placed side by side and the inert.

Dilatometric analysis

The dilatometric analysis of clays will be carried out in a previously cut sample and rectified, which will be placed in the dilatometer and subjected to a heating rate and constant cooling.

Plasticity

The evaluation of the plasticity of the raw materials based on the Atterberg limits (liquid and plastic limit), dry base, from which will be determined the plasticity Index, according to the standard NP 143:1969, after drying approximately to 110ºC, breakdown in mortar and sieving at 425 µm (#40 ASTM).

Laboratory Scale Process Optimization in CTCV. The complete production cycle (mixture formulation, drying and firing) with the waste

The samples preparation for shaping will be ensured by the following steps: drying in an electric drier at 110ºC; grinding in a hammer mill, in order to obtain a material with granularity less than 1,0 mm.

To do the ceramic testing will be necessary to make test specimens. Rectangular test pieces will be prepared (≈ 12x3x1 cm) shaped by extrusion, in a laboratory extruder with a vacuum device. The drying process of these samples will be carried out, firstly, at room temperature and after in an electric dryer at 110ºC. The firing of the samples will be performed in an electric programmable kiln.

The evaluation of moisture content after extrusion (wet base) will be performed according to the standard NP 84. The flexural strength on dry and fired samples will be performed according to the standards ASTM C689 e ASTM C674, respectively, wherein the load speed applied to the specimen dried and fired will be 1 N/s e 50 N/s, respectively, the load cell with a capacity of 5 kN and a distance between supporting pins of 8 cm. The linear shrinkage will be tested according to the standard ASTM C326 and the remaining parameters performed according to the internal procedures of CTCV.

They will be formulated various compositions with incorporation of nanoparticles in the reference composition. For the characterization of these compositions drying and firing tests will be performed at various temperatures, as described above

CTCV develops services in Research and Development in New and advanced Materials and Products including:

• Development and optimization of materials, products and manufacturing processes.
• Development of shaping technologies for ceramic materials, namely injection molding processes.
• Innovation in high performance and multifunctional ceramic materials
• Characterization of raw materials and end materials.

Materials: Nanomaterials, ceramics, coating, filled polymer and composites.

Processes: Compounding, injection moulding, ceramic processing, sintering

Testing of New Materials: Chemical, mechanical, microstructural analysis, rheology, test sample production; Hydrofilicity and hydrophobicity surface analysis SELFCLEAN

Others services:

• Advanced Manufacturing Technologies - Use of additive manufacturing technologies for ceramic tableware and decorative development
• Robotics – soon

More information: https://www.ctcv.pt/index_eng.html