The dimensional precision of ceramic tiles for coating has acquired great relevance in the current scenario, as large-format parts and products with polished surfaces are showing increasing market share.
Based on this trend, CRC acquired an optical platform (Fleximeter ODP 868), capable of monitoring, in the laboratory, the deformations suffered by ceramic materials at high temperatures. The equipment, developed in Italy and manufactured in Germany, consists of lenses with a resolution of 0.2 µm and an oven that allows specimens to be heated up to 1500oC, with heating rates of up to 50oC/min.
The main applications of the equipment are in determining the dpyroplastic formations of the masses during sintering; assessment of coupling voltages between pastas, engobes and glazes; in addition to evaluating hydrodeformations, which occur when water is applied to the surface of the pieces before burning.
The results obtained from the analyses can provide important information for segments other than ceramic tiles, such as refractory, porcelain, sanitaryware and other products susceptible to deformation when subjected to heat treatments at high temperatures.
In addition to carrying out analyses using the ODP 868 Optical Fleximeter, CRC also teaches technical training that address deformations and flatness of ceramic products.