The Grindability and Optical Properties of Glass-Ceramic Frits for Inkjet Printing

Abstract

Decoration is the most critical feature in determining the final quality of ceramic tiles. Traditional decoration techniques, such as screen printing and rotocolor, have been transitioned to inkjet printing due to technological improvements in the ceramic industry. Inkjet technology has enabled an unlimited variety of decorative designs, facilitated the efficient storage of designs, and made it possible to apply decoration without direct contact with the product. Additionally, inkjet decoration enhances the natural appearance of the image. Inkjet printers use inks in which inorganic particles are suspended in a carrier medium. Recently, effect materials that provide surface properties such as matte and gloss have also been utilized. The prepared effect material exhibits an average particle size (d50) of 0.3-0.6 μm, which is required to prevent clogging of the nozzle head in the inkjet printer. Effect materials are needed to demonstrate optimum viscosity, density, and particle size distribution, ensuring their suitability for use in inkjet printers. This study examines the particle size distribution, milling behavior, rheological properties, and morphological characteristics (as observed by SEM) of transparent, opaque, and matte glass-ceramic frits used in wall and floor tiles. Furthermore, optical properties were measured using gloss meters and colorimetric devices. The results demonstrate that the investigated frits fulfill the particle size and rheological requirements for jetting in inkjet printers, achieving d90 values below 1 μm to prevent nozzle clogging and post-dilution viscosities within the ideal range of 15–25 mPa·s. The frits were determined to be suitable for application on wall and floor tiles.

Keywords

• Grinding
• particle size
• optical properties
• color
• gloss

References

1. J. Chen, B. He, H. Zhu, J. Wu, The implicit preference evaluation for the ceramic tiles with different visual features: Evidence from an event-related potential study, Frontiers in Psychology 14 (2023) 1-13.
2. I. Hutchings, Ink-jet printing for the decoration of ceramic tiles: Technology and opportunities, in: Proceedings of the World Congress on Ceramic Tile Quality, Castellón, (2010) 17 pages.
3. G. Ferrari, P. Zannini, Thermal behavior of vehicles and digital inks for inkjet decoration of ceramic tiles, Thermochimica Acta 639 (2016) 41–46.
4. M. Dondi, M. Blosi, D. Gardini, C. Zanelli, P. Zannini, Ink technology for digital decoration of ceramic tiles: An overview, in: Proceedings of the 13th World Congress on Ceramic Tile Quality, Castellón, (2014) 14 pages.
5. T. Cao, Z. Yang, H. Zhang, Y. P. Wang, Inkjet printing quality improvement research progress: A review, Heliyon 10 (2024) e30163.
6. C. Zanelli, G. L. Güngör, A. Kara, M. Blosi, D. Gardini, G. Guarini, M. Dondi, Micronizing ceramic pigments for inkjet printing: Part II. Effect on phase composition and color, Ceramics International 41 (2015) 6507–6517.
7. H. Maleki, V. Bertola, Recent advances and prospects of inkjet printing in heterogeneous catalysis, Catalysis Science and Technology 10 (2020) 3140–3159.
8. J. H. Lee, J. W. Kweon, W. S. Cho, J. H. Kim, K. T. Hwang, Formulation and characterization of black ceramic ink for a digital ink-jet printing, Ceramics International 44 (2018) 14151–14157.

9. C. Gao, T. Xing, X. Hou, G. Chen, Preparation of disperse inks for direct inkjet printing of non-pretreated polyester fabrics, RSC Advances 9 (2019) 9791–19799.
10. E. Enriquez, J. J. Reinosa, V. Fuertes, J. F. Fernandez, Advances and challenges of ceramic pigments for inkjet printing, Ceramics International 48(21) (2022) 31080–31101.
11. C. Molinari, S. Conte, C. Zanelli, M. Ardit, G. Cruciani, M. Dondi, Ceramic pigments and dyes beyond the inkjet revolution: From technological requirements to constraints in colorant design, Ceramics International 46(14) (2020) 21839–21872.
12. O. Watanabe, T. Hibino, M. Sakakibara, Development of an ink-jet printing system for ceramic tile, in: Proceedings of the 12th World Congress on Ceramic Tile Quality, Castellón, (2012) 10 pages.
13. B. Yazırlı, H. Sarı, K. Kayacı, F. Kara, Effect of nucleating agent additions on gahnite-based glass-ceramic glazes, Journal of the European Ceramic Society 44 (2024) 3344–3351.
14. J. Partyka, J. Lis, The influence of the grain size distribution of raw materials on the selected surface properties of sanitary glazes, Ceramics International 37(4) (2011) 1285–1292.
15. R. Casasola, J. M. Rincon, M. Romero, Glass–ceramic glazes for ceramic tiles: A review, Journal of Materials Science 47 (2012) 553–582.
16. K. Pekkan, B. Karasu, Zircon-free frits suitable for single fast-firing opaque wall tile glazes and their industrial productions, Journal of the European Ceramic Society 29 (2009) 1571–1578.
17. O. J. Akinribide, G. N. Mekgwe, S. O. Akinwamide, F. Gamaoun, C. Abeykoon, O. T. Johnson, P. A. Olubambi, A review on optical properties and application of transparent ceramics, Journal of Materials Research and Technology 21 (2022) 712–738.
18. M. Gajek, A. Rapacz-Kmita, E. Stodolak-Zych, M. Zarzecka-Napierała, M. Wilk, A. Magdziarz, M. Dudek, Microstructure and mechanical properties of diopside and anorthite glazes with high abrasion resistance, Ceramics International 48 (2022) 6792–6798.
19. E. Bou, M. C. Bordes, C. Feliu, M. E. Gazulla, E. Ferrer, G. Pasies, Variables that determine the matt appearance of some ceramic floor and wall tile glazes, in: Proceedings of the 8th World Congress on Ceramic Tile Quality, Castellón, (2002) 16 pages.
20. G. L. Güngör, A. Kara, D. Gardini, M. Blosi, M. Dondi, C. Zanelli, Ink-jet printability of aqueous ceramic inks for digital decoration of ceramic tiles, Dyes and Pigments 127 (2016) 148–154.
21. I. N. Diaz, P. D. Corso, Digital ceramic decoration, an introduction, Asociacion Espanola Tecnicos Ceramicos (2017).
22. D. Yazici, Examining the relationship between the particle size distribution of frits used in ceramic tile production and their potential as effect materials, Master's Thesis, Eskişehir Technical University, Eskişehir (2023).
23. D. Verucchi, M. Cavedoni, Pigmented ceramic inks, Ceramic World Review 91 (2011).
24. P. M. T. Cavalcante, M. Dondi, G. Guarini, M. Raimondo, G. Baldi, Color performance of ceramic nano pigments, Dyes and Pigments 80 (2009) 226–232.
25. D. Y. Park, S. J. Park, Particle size-dependent viscosity behavior of a suspension using image processing, Powder Technology 339 (2018) 686–694.
26. D. R. Eppler, *Glazes and Glass Coatings*, American Ceramic Society (2000).
27. M. F. Gazulla, P. Gómez, A. Moreno, E. Bou, Factors affecting frit solubility in glaze suspensions, Boletín de la Sociedad Española de Cerámica y Vidrio 40(2) (2001) 131–135.
28. V. S. Solana, Inkjet printing technology for ceramic tile decoration, in: Proceedings of the 13th World Congress on Ceramic Tile Quality, Castellón, (2014) 15 pages.
29. G. L. Güngör, A. Kara, M. Blosi, D. Gardini, G. Guarini, C. Zanelli, M. Dondi, Micronizing ceramic pigments for inkjet printing: Grindability and particle size distribution, Ceramics International 41 (2015) 6498–6506.