EFFECTS OF NANO-OXIDES ON THE SURFACE PROPERTIES OF CERAMIC TILES

The aim of the present work is to obtain ceramic tiles with superior surface mechanical characteristics and chemical resistance, by the addition of nano-oxides, such as zirconia and alumina, since such advanced ceramics oxides are well known for their excellent mechanical properties and good resistance to chemical attack. In order to avoid any dangerousness, the nanoparticles were used in form of aqueous suspension and they were sprayed, by airbrush, directly onto the dried ceramic support, before firing. To observe the distribution of the nanoparticles and to optimise the surface treatment, SEM-EDS analyses were carried out on the fired samples. XRD analysis was conducted to assess the phase evolution of the different materials during the firing step. The surface mechanical characteristics of the samples have been evaluated by Vickers’ hardness and scratch test. In addition, chemical resistance tests were also performed. Microstructural observations allowed how alumina and zirconia nanoparticles acted to improve the surface performances of the modified ceramic tiles to be understood.