Clay- and kaolin-based raw material with improved casting and firing properties

Abstract

The subject of the invention relates to a ceramic raw material obtained by handling the clay and kaolin with ideal contents and in ideal quantities, wherein said ceramic raw material comprises a higher quantity of Al2O3 and is thus able to be fired in a whiter color compared to the raw materials that comprise only the clay and wherein said ceramic raw material has higher plasticity, strength, and casting concentration compared to the raw materials that comprise only the kaolin. As a result of the use of the raw material according to the invention, the quantity of the generated production waste and packaging waste is reduced, the environmental pollution is reduced, the raw material preparation processes are facilitated, and the contribution is made in many ways to the sustainability.

Description

[0001] CLAY- AND KAOLIN-BASED RAW MATERIAL WITH IMPROVED CASTING AND FIRING PROPERTIES

[0002] Subject of the Invention

[0003] The subject of the invention relates to a ceramic raw material obtained by handling the clay and kaolin with ideal contents and in ideal quantities, wherein said ceramic raw material comprises a higher quantity of AI2O3 and is thus able to be fired in a whiter color compared to the raw materials that comprise only the clay and wherein said ceramic raw material has higher plasticity, strength, and casting concentration compared to the raw materials that comprise only the kaolin.

[0004] State of the Art

[0005] The ceramic has been in use for many years in the production of the vitrified products such as sanitary ware, in the production of the wall and floor covering products, in the production of the household products like pots and ornaments, in the production of the switch and fuse parts, in the refractors, in the production of abrasive products, bones and prosthesis, in the nuclear fuel systems, in the piston and engine bodies, in the spacecrafts, in the production of heat- and friction-resistant sheaths, in the production of metal alloys, in the airstrip platforms and in the energy transmission systems. The superior properties of the ceramic that make it preferable in the production of numerous materials in numerous fields are its manufacture from readily available raw materials, high workability, hardness, and high temperature resistance. The desired properties of the ceramic material differ according to the field of use. The physical, chemical, mineralogical, and rheological properties, such as plasticity, water absorption, fracture strength, vitrification, firing color, dry and bulk shrinkage, casting speed, electrolyte quantity, dry bond strength, refractoriness, firing color, viscosity, friction resistance, AI2O3, K2O and Fe2Os contents, brightness, and casting concentration, of the raw materials employed, especially clay, kaolin, quartz, and feldspar, as well as the composition ratios of said raw materials have influence on the production of a material with properties determined according to the field of use.

[0006] The clay group of minerals consists of the fine-grained materials, which exist in the nature in the form of aqueous aluminum and magnesium silicates. While the clay minerals may be present at the same location as the parent rock where they are formed, it is also possible that they are separated from the parent rock and transported to another location under the influence of water and exist in the deposited form at the location where they are transported. The kaolinitic clays, one of the ceramic raw materials, undergo ion exchange as they advance by rolling and contacting the other rocks during their transport and acquire a thin laminar structure with round grains as a result of friction. Consequently, they have high water retention capacity, plastic character, low grain size distribution, high dry bond strength, high green strength, and high casting concentration. In order to obtain the ceramic mud, it is necessary to wash the clay with water and expand the same mechanically and then mix the same with the other raw materials that are expanded with water. A high casting concentration for the clay provides advantage in the process of expanding / dispersing with water and in the process of forming via casting. However, the kaolinitic clays have a high content of impurities, and for this reason, they acquire a rather dark color after the firing. This is an undesirable situation especially for the manufacturers of the ceramic sanitary ware / vitrified products. In cases where, in addition to the necessity to use the kaolinitic clay, it is also necessary to obtain a finished product that has a small quantity of impurities and that is in white color, a recipe, which is different from the standard kaolinitic clay-containing recipes used according to the state of the art, is needed.

[0007] Kaolin, another ceramic raw material, has coarser grain structure, purer mineralogical composition and thus less organic matter and cation exchange capacity compared to the kaolinitic clay. Constituting the skeleton of the ceramic raw material, kaolin is the type of clay, which has the highest AI2O3 content and which is fired in white or almost white color; it covers the color of the non-white clays in the raw material and therefore, it is desirable to use kaolin in the highest ratios possible in the recipes especially for the ceramic sanitary ware. However, kaolin has low plasticity. Consequently, a ceramic raw material that is rich in kaolin has low strength upon drying. A ceramic raw material with low green strength may easily break up under the influence of a shock or impact it may sustain prior to the firing and this in turn may result in the losses of material. In order to obtain the ceramic raw material, kaolin should likewise be washed with water and mechanically expanded and then mixed with the other raw materials that are expanded with water. A low casting concentration for kaolin causes disadvantage in the process of expanding / dispersing with water and in the process of forming via casting. When introduced to the forming molds, it quickly releases water, is unsuitable for the mold and thus shortens the lifetime of the mold. For the reasons mentioned above, in order to be able to use the kaolin in the recipes for the ceramic sanitary ware that are formed by way of casting and are fired, it is necessary to first provide a plastic flow to the kaolin by means of the electrolytes such as sodium silicate; i.e., it is necessary to be able to turn the kaolin into a mud suitable for casting, which has high solid content in a limited quantity of water. Then, it is required that the casting and firing properties of kaolin are on the desired levels. It is desirable to have a high level of casting concentration, a high level of casting speed and a high level of dry strength (green strength) and a low level of drying and firing shrinkage.

[0008] According to the state of the art, the manufacturers of the vitrified products use either clay or kaolin for the preparation of the raw material. The use of two different mineral groups with different firing and casting properties in the separate recipes leads to the generation of an excessive amount of waste during the preparation of the raw material. This brings about the problems including the difficulties faced in the storage of the raw materials, the high raw material costs, and the variability of the quality of the raw material and the finished product. While the manufacturers of the vitrified products are able to expand / disperse the clay with a high concentration in the water, they have to add a greater quantity of product and accordingly adjust the calculation for the recipe in order to be able to bring kaolin, which has poor casting properties relative to the clay, up to this high concentration level. However, changing the concentration balance of kaolin is risky for the manufacturers, as it may cause the loss of production. The casting concentration is an important parameter for the processing of the raw materials of clay and kaolin.

[0009] Within the scope of the invention, a ceramic raw material, which is obtained by handling certain types and quantities of clay and kaolin and which thus includes a higher quantity of AI2O3 and accordingly is able to be fired in a whiter color compared to clay and further has higher plasticity, strength, and casting concentration compared to kaolin, has been developed. The raw material is a mixture, which has the positive properties of clay and kaolin while lacking the negative properties of the same and which further has the ideal levels for the casting and firing properties. In this way, the difficulties in storage are eliminated, the quantity of the generated production waste and packaging waste is reduced, the environmental pollution is reduced, the raw material costs are enabled to drop, the raw material preparation processes are facilitated, and the contribution is made to the sustainability. Moreover, the risks during the production are eliminated, no losses of raw material are experienced, the quality of the finished product shows no variability, the manufacturers are able to derive more profit upon the increase in the customer satisfaction, and as a result, a contribution is made to the sustainable economy. The developed raw material, owing to being a form of the raw material used in the state of the art that is improved in terms of casting properties as well as firing properties, i.e., achievement of white color, will be preferred particularly by the manufacturers of the ceramic sanitary ware / vitrified products.

[0010] Object of the Invention

[0011] An object of the invention is to develop a ceramic raw material obtained by handling the clay and kaolin with ideal contents and in ideal quantities, wherein said ceramic raw material comprises a higher quantity of AI2O3 and is thus able to be fired in a whiter color compared to the raw materials that comprise only the clay and wherein said ceramic raw material has higher plasticity, strength, and casting concentration compared to the raw materials that comprise only the kaolin.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to develop an economical ceramic raw material, which alone offers the benefits of clay and kaolin and thus eliminates the requirement for the consumers to use more than product and reduces the raw material costs.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to develop a ceramic raw material, which alone offers the benefits of clay and kaolin and thus generates less packaging waste and production waste compared to the use of more than one product with different functions and reduces the environmental pollution.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to develop a ceramic raw material, which eliminates the difficulties associated with the storage and facilitates the raw material preparation processes.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to develop a ceramic raw material, which eliminates the risks during the production, reduces the raw material losses, eliminates the problem of variability of the finished product quality, and enables the manufacturers to derive more profit upon the increase in the customer satisfaction.

[0016] Still another object of the invention is to develop a ceramic raw material, which makes contribution to the sustainable economy by enabling the use of kaolin to be increased in the industries where the use of kaolin is limited.

[0017] Still another object of the invention is to develop a ceramic raw material, which makes contribution in many ways to the sustainability as the basis for the preceding objects of the invention.

[0018] Still another object of the invention is to develop a ceramic sanitary ware / vitrified product raw material, which has the properties mentioned in the preceding objects of the invention. Description of the Tables

[0019] Table 1. Ingredients of the clay-kaolin mixtures obtained with different clay types and kaolin types

[0020] Table 2. Casting and firing properties of the first clay-kaolin mixtures obtained

[0021] Table 3. Ingredients of the clay-kaolin mixtures obtained with different clay types and kaolin types

[0022] Table 4. Casting and firing properties of the clay-kaolin mixtures named as Recipe-3 and Recipe-6

[0023] Table 5. Ingredients and casting and firing properties of the mixtures named as Vitrified Recipe-1 and Vitrified Recipe-2

[0024] Table 6. Ingredients of the clay-kaolin mixtures obtained with different clay types and kaolin types

[0025] Table 7. Chemical analysis results and casting and firing properties of the clay-kaolin mixtures named as Recipe-7 and Recipe-8

[0026] Table 8. Ingredients and casting and firing properties of the mixtures named as Vitrified Recipe-3, Vitrified Recipe-4, Vitrified Recipe-5 and Vitrified Recipe-6

[0027] Table 9. Chemical analysis results and casting and firing properties of the clay-kaolin mixtures produced on the laboratory scale and industrial scale

[0028] Description of the Invention

[0029] The subject of the invention relates to a ceramic raw material obtained by handling the clay and kaolin with ideal contents and in ideal quantities, wherein said ceramic raw material comprises a higher quantity of AI2O3 and is thus able to be fired in a whiter color compared to the raw materials that comprise only the clay and wherein said ceramic raw material has higher plasticity, strength, and casting concentration compared to the raw materials that comprise only the kaolin.

[0030] In order to obtain the raw material according to the invention, first the clay-kaolin mixtures (Recipe-l-Recipe-8) were obtained by combining various quantities of various clays, which comprised different quantities of AI2O3, Fe2Os and K2O and had different casting concentrations, and then, the casting and firing properties of these mixtures were measured at a temperature of 1215°C and in the presence of 38 Be sodium silicate. The results of these measurements were evaluated and the mixtures having ideal casting and firing properties, especially the casting concentration and the firing color, were determined. In order to enable the finished ceramic products to also have the additional properties desirable especially for the vitrified products, the mixtures were mixed with a certain quantity of Na-Feldspar and a certain quantity of quartz and the new mixtures named as the vitrified recipe (Vitrified Recipe-l-Vitrified Recipe-6) were thus obtained and then, the casting and firing properties of these mixtures were measured at a temperature of 1215°C and in the presence of 38 Be sodium silicate. By means of these measurements, how the casting and firing properties of the clay-kaolin mixtures were affected by the addition of Na-Feldspar and quartz were evaluated, and as a result of the evaluation, the clay-kaolin mixture most suitable for use with Na-Feldspar and quartz in terms of ideal casting and firing properties, especially the casting concentration and the firing color, was determined. Subsequently, the production of this clay-kaolin mixture, which was produced under the laboratory conditions, was performed also on the industrial scale, the casting and firing properties of the mixture produced on the industrial scale were measured, and whether such production adversely affected the ingredients and the casting and firing properties of the mixture, i.e., whether the mixture was suitable for the production on the industrial scale, was assessed. As a result of all these studies, the raw material according to the invention was identified. The data pertaining to all these studies are provided below in the form of tables. All the numeric data shown in the tables, except for the casting and firing properties, are the ratios of the ingredients expressed as % by weight. Table 1. Ingredients of the clay-kaolin mixtures obtained with different clay types and kaolin types The casting and firing properties were analyzed for each individual recipe presented in

[0031] Table 1. The analysis results for the casting and firing properties can be seen in Table 2.

[0032] Table 2. Casting and firing properties of the first clay-kaolin mixtures obtained

[0033] Examination of the results given in Table 2 reveals that Recipe-3 is the mixture with the highest dry bond strength. In terms of the filtration efficiency, it can be seen that Recipe-1 is the mixture with the highest efficiency. Recipe-2 has a filtration time that is shorter than the filtration times of the other mixtures. Recipe-4 is the mixture having the highest whiteness value. In line with these results, it was decided to proceed with Recipe-3 for reasons of high dry bond strength and appropriate whiteness value, and in order to improve the properties of Recipe-3, a new clay-kaolin mixture named as Recipe-6 was prepared. Unlike Recipe-3, Clay 11, not Clay 9, was used for Recipe-6. The ingredients of the recipes can be seen in Table 3 and the analysis results for the casting and firing properties can be seen in Table 4.

[0034] Table 3. Ingredients of the clay-kaolin mixtures obtained with different clay types and kaolin types

[0035] Table 4. Casting and firing properties of the clay-kaolin mixtures named as Recipe-3 and

[0036] Recipe-6 Examination of the analysis results reveals that the mixture comprising Clay 9, i.e. Recipe- 3, has higher dry bond strength. It can be seen that the other properties of Recipe-3 and Recipe-6 are similar. In that case, Recipe-3 was produced again, the properties of the new mixture produced were analyzed, and the evaluation of the analysis results revealed that there were differences in the casting and firing properties of the two mixtures with the same ingredients, said differences resulting from the periodical change in the raw material properties. The calibrations are performed for the detailed analysis, where the results were of a consistent nature.

[0037] In order to enable the finished ceramic products to also have the additional properties desirable especially for the vitrified products, Recipe-3 and Recipe-6 were mixed with the standard quantities of Na-Feldspar and quartz present in the standard raw materials, the new mixtures named as Vitrified Recipe-1 and Vitrified Recipe-2 were thus obtained and then, the casting and firing properties of these mixtures were measured at a temperature of 1215°C and in the presence of 38 Be sodium silicate. The ingredients and the casting and firing analysis results of the recipes can be seen in Table 5.

[0038] Table 5. Ingredients and casting and firing properties of the mixtures named as Vitrified

[0039] Recipe-1 and Vitrified Recipe-2 Evaluation of the results given in Table 5 reveals that Vitrified Recipe-1, which comprises Recipe-3, has higher dry bond strength. It was noted that the water absorption value of Vitrified Recipe-2, which comprises Recipe-6, is lower, but by a small difference, than the water absorption value of Vitrified Recipe-1. With these two mixtures, the other casting and firing properties of which were very similar, it was possible to obtain the dry bond strengths higher than the dry bond strengths of clay and kaolin when used alone in the recipe and it was also possible to obtain the favorable results for the firing color values. In summary, when the casting and firing properties of the clay-kaolin mixtures and of the vitrified raw materials, in which these mixtures were present, were evaluated, it was noted that it would be possible to achieve improvement in the dry bond strength and firing color properties only in case the clay and kaolin were used as a single product especially in the vitrified raw materials.

[0040] In order to improve the properties of 6 different mixtures prepared in the first study conducted within the scope of the product development, the new clay-kaolin mixtures named as Recipe-7 and Recipe-8 were prepared. Table 6 shows the ingredients of the recipes and Table 7 shows the chemical analysis results and the casting and firing analysis results for the recipes. Examination of the results given in Table 7 reveals that both recipes have similar chemical analysis results. When the casting and firing properties given in Table 7 are examined, it can be seen that Recipe-7 has higher efficiency, but longer filtration time. Because the quantity of Kaolin 1 in Recipe-7 was greater compared to that in Recipe-8, the gumming problem was encountered during the casting.

[0041] Table 6. Ingredients of the clay-kaolin mixtures obtained with different clay types and kaolin types

[0042] Table 7. Chemical analysis results and casting and firing properties of the clay-kaolin mixtures named as Recipe-7 and Recipe-8 The trials were conducted in order to observe the behaviors of these new mixtures inside a standard vitrified recipe. Vitrified Recipe-3 and Vitrified Recipe-4 were prepared by removing the clays and kaolins present in the standard recipe and adding the clay-kaolin mixture to the standard quantities of Na-Feldspar and quartz present in the standard raw materials. Vitrified Recipe-5 and Vitrified Recipe-6 were prepared by adding the claykaolin mixture and Clay 5 to the standard quantities of Na-Feldspar and quartz present in the standard raw materials. Then, the casting and firing properties of the mixtures were measured at a temperature of 1215°C and in the presence of 38 Be sodium silicate. The ingredients and the casting and firing analysis results of the recipes are shown in Table 8. Table 8. Ingredients and casting and firing properties of the mixtures named as Vitrified Recipe-3, Vitrified Recipe-4, Vitrified Recipe-5 and Vitrified Recipe-6 When the results given in Table 8 were evaluated and the results for the mixtures with no Clay 5 were compared, it was noted that Vitrified Recipe-3, in which Recipe-7 was used, had higher dry bond strength, but also higher water absorption. It was noted that Vitrified Recipe-6 comprising Clay 5 and 45% by weight clay-kaolin mixture, i.e., Recipe-8, had the values of water absorption and shrinkage that were within the appropriate range. The quantity of the raw material according to the invention is adjustable according to the raw material recipes of the companies. After the examination of the other casting and firing properties as well as the hand samples, the evaluation was made in many respects and it was decided to conduct an industrial-scale trial with Recipe-8. The chemical analysis results and the casting and firing properties of the clay-kaolin mixtures produced on the laboratory scale and on the industrial scale are given in a comparative manner in Table 9.

[0043] Table 9. Chemical analysis results and casting and firing properties of the clay-kaolin mixtures produced on the laboratory scale and industrial scale No big difference was noted in the analysis results and it was observed that a homogeneous production was realized. Examination of the results given in Table 9 revealed that the mixture produced on the industrial scale, while having higher dry bond strength and electrolyte quantity, had a somewhat lower casting speed. This difference is an expected situation between the mixtures produced in the laboratory and the mixtures produced on the industrial scale.

[0044] As a result of these studies, the ideal clay-kaolin mixture with casting and firing properties, especially casting concentration, firing color, and rheology, that are within the expected range was identified.

[0045] The ceramic raw material according to the invention basically comprises a mixture of clay and kaolin, said mixture of clay and kaolin comprising

[0046] • at least one clay (Clay 1), which comprises 22-25% by weight AI2O3, 1.5-2% by weight Fe2C>3, 1-2% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 60- 65%,

[0047] • at least one clay (Clay 2), which comprises 22-25% by weight AI2O3, 1.5-2.0% by weight Fe2C>3, 1-1.9% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 69- 71%,

[0048] • at least one clay (Clay 3), which comprises 30-31% by weight AI2O3, 1-1.3% by weight Fe2C>3, 0.2-0.4% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 66- 68%,

[0049] • at least one clay (Clay 7), which comprises 25-27% by weight AI2O3, 1.5-1.7% by weight Fe20s, 3.0-3.5% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 66- 88%,

[0050] • at least one clay (Clay 10), which comprises 30-33% by weight AI2O3, 1.6-1.9% by weight Fe2C>3, 1.2-1.4% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 64- 66%, • at least one clay (Clay 12), which comprises 28-30% by weight AI2O3, 2-3% by weight Fe20s, 2.3-2.5% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 64- 66%,

[0051] • at least one kaolin (Kaolin 1), which comprises 37-39% by weight AI2O3, 0.5-0.7% by weight Fe20s, 0.05-0.1% by weight K2O,

[0052] • at least one kaolin (Kaolin 2), which comprises 37-39% by weight AI2O3, 0.2-0.8% by weight Fe20s, 0.5-0.7% by weight K2O.

[0053] The raw material according to the invention comprises Clay 1 at a ratio of 5-13% by weight, preferably 10% by weight; Clay 2 at a ratio of 10-18% by weight, preferably 15% by weight; Clay 3 at a ratio of 15-25% by weight, preferably 20% by weight; Clay 7 at a ratio of 12-18% by weight, preferably 15% by weight; Clay 10 at a ratio of 3-10% by weight, preferably 5% by weight; Clay 12 at a ratio of 3-10% by weight, preferably 5% by weight; Kaolin 1 at a ratio of 15-22% by weight, preferably 20% by weight; and Kaolin 2 at a ratio of 7-15% by weight, preferably 10% by weight.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the raw material according to the invention comprises Na- Feldspar and / or quartz in addition to the clay-kaolin mixture. In said embodiment, the raw material comprises Na-Feldspar at a ratio of 25-35% by weight, preferably 30% by weight; and quartz at a ratio of 15-25% by weight, preferably 20% by weight.

[0055] In said embodiment, Na-Feldspar, which comprises 10% by weight Na2O and which has a grain size distribution of 63 microns, is preferably used.

[0056] In said embodiment, quartz, which comprises 99.5% by weight SiC>2 and which has a grain size distribution of 63 microns, is preferably used.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, the raw material according to the invention comprises the mixture of clay and kaolin at a ratio of 40-50% by weight, preferably 45% by weight; Na- Feldspar at a ratio of 25-35% by weight, preferably 30% by weight; and quartz at a ratio of 15-25% by weight, preferably 20% by weight. In said embodiment, the raw material may, in addition to said ingredients, comprise 2.5-10% by weight, preferably 5% by weight at least one clay, which comprises 28-31% by weight AI2O3, 2.5-2.8% by weight Fe20s, 2.5- 3.0% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 65-68%.

[0058] Within the scope of the invention, a ceramic raw material, which is obtained by handling certain types and quantities of clay and kaolin and which thus includes a higher quantity of AI2O3 and accordingly is able to be fired in a whiter color compared to clay and further has higher plasticity, strength, and casting concentration compared to kaolin, has been developed. The raw material is a mixture, which has the positive properties of clay and kaolin while lacking the negative properties of the same and which further has the ideal levels for the casting and firing properties. In this way, the difficulties in storage are eliminated, the quantity of the generated production waste and packaging waste is reduced, the environmental pollution is reduced, the raw material costs are enabled to drop, the raw material preparation processes are facilitated, and the contribution is made to the sustainability. Moreover, the risks during the production are eliminated, no losses of raw material are experienced, the quality of the finished product shows no variability, the manufacturers are able to derive more profit upon the increase in the customer satisfaction, and as a result, a contribution is made to the sustainable economy. The developed raw material, owing to being a form of the raw material used in the state of the art that is improved in terms of casting properties as well as firing properties, i.e., achievement of white color, will be preferred particularly by the manufacturers of the ceramic sanitary ware / vitrified products.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A ceramic raw material characterized in that the ceramic raw material comprises a mixture of clay and kaolin, said mixture of clay and kaolin comprising• at least one clay, which comprises 22-25% by weight AI2O3, 1.5-2% by weight Fe2C>3, 1-2% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 60-65%,• at least one clay, which comprises 22-25% by weight AI2O3, 1.5-2.0% by weight Fe2C>3, 1-1.9% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 69-71%,• at least one clay, which comprises 30-31% by weight AI2O3, 1-1.3% by weight Fe2C>3, 0.2-0.4% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 66-68%,• at least one clay, which comprises 25-27% by weight AI2O3, 1.5-1.7% by weight Fe2C>3, 3.0-3.5% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 66-88%,• at least one clay, which comprises 30-33% by weight AI2O3, 1.6-1.9% by weight Fe2C>3, 1.2-1.4% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 64-66%,• at least one clay, which comprises 28-30% by weight AI2O3, 2-3% by weight Fe2C>3, 2.3-2.5% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 64- 66%,• at least one kaolin, which comprises 37-39% by weight AI2O3, 0.5-0.7% by weight Fe2C>3, 0.05-0.1% by weight K2O,• at least one kaolin, which comprises 37-39% by weight AI2O3, 0.2-0.8% by weight Fe2C>3, 0.5-0.7% by weight K2O.

2. A ceramic raw material according to Claim 1 characterized in that the mixture comprises 5-13% by weight clay, which comprises 22-25% by weight AI2O3, 1.5-2%by weight Fe20s, 1-2% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 60- 65%.

3. A ceramic raw material according to Claim 1 characterized in that the mixture comprises 10% by weight clay, which comprises 22-25% by weight AI2O3, 1.5-2% by weight Fe2C>3, 1-2% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 60- 65%.

4. A ceramic raw material according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the mixture comprises 10-18% by weight clay, which comprises 22-25% by weight AI2O3, 1.5-2.0% by weight Fe2Os, 1-1.9% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 69-71%.

5. A ceramic raw material according to any one of Claims 1-3 characterized in that the mixture comprises 15% by weight clay, which comprises 22-25% by weight AI2O3, 1.5-2.0% by weight Fe2Os, 1-1.9% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 69-71%.

6. A ceramic raw material according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the mixture comprises 15-25% by weight clay, which comprises 30-31% by weight AI2O3, 1-1.3% by weight Fe2Os, 0.2-0.4% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 66-68%.

7. A ceramic raw material according to any one of Claims 1-5 characterized in that the mixture comprises 20% by weight clay, which comprises 30-31% by weight AI2O3, 1-1.3% by weight Fe2Os, 0.2-0.4% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 66-68%.

8. A ceramic raw material according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the mixture comprises 12-18% by weight clay, which comprises 25-27% by weight AI2O3, 1.5-1.7% by weight Fe2Os, 3.0-3.5% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 66-88%.

9. A ceramic raw material according to any one of Claims 1-7 characterized in that the mixture comprises 15% by weight clay, which comprises 25-27% by weight AI2O3,1.5-1.7% by weight Fe20s, 3.0-3.5% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 66-88%.

10. A ceramic raw material according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the mixture comprises 3-10% by weight clay, which comprises 30-33% by weight AI2O3, 1.6-1.9% by weight Fe20s, 1.2-1.4% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 64-66%.

11. A ceramic raw material according to any one of Claims 1-9 characterized in that the mixture comprises 5% by weight clay, which comprises 30-33% by weight AI2O3,1.6-1.9% by weight Fe20s, 1.2-1.4% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 64-66%.

12. A ceramic raw material according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the mixture comprises 3-10% by weight clay, which comprises 28-30% by weight AI2O3, 2-3% by weight Fe2Os, 2.3-2.5% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 64-66%.

13. A ceramic raw material according to any one of Claims 1-11 characterized in that the mixture comprises 5% by weight clay, which comprises 28-30% by weight AI2O3, 2-3% by weight Fe2Os, 2.3-2.5% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 64-66%.

14. A ceramic raw material according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the mixture comprises 15-22% by weight kaolin, which comprises 37-39% by weight AI2O3, 0.5-0.7% by weight Fe2Os, 0.05-0.1% by weight K2O.

15. A ceramic raw material according to any one of Claims 1-13 characterized in that the mixture comprises 20% by weight kaolin, which comprises 37-39% by weight AI2O3, 0.5-0.7% by weight Fe2Os, 0.05-0.1% by weight K2O.

16. A ceramic raw material according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the mixture comprises 7-15% by weight kaolin, which comprises 37-39% by weight AI2O3, 0.2-0.8% by weight Fe2Os, 0.5-0.7% by weight K2O.

17. A ceramic raw material according to any one of Claims 1-15 characterized in that the mixture comprises 10% by weight kaolin, which comprises 37-39% by weight AI2O3, 0.2-0.8% by weight Fe20s, 0.5-0.7% by weight K2O.

18. A ceramic raw material according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the ceramic raw material comprises the mixture of clay and kaolin at a ratio of 40-50% by weight.

19. A ceramic raw material according to any one of Claims 1-17 characterized in that the ceramic raw material comprises the mixture of clay and kaolin at a ratio of 45% by weight.

20. A ceramic raw material according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the ceramic raw material additionally comprises Na-Feldspar.

21. A ceramic raw material according to Claim 20 characterized in that Na-Feldspar comprises 10% by weight Na2O and has a grain size distribution of 63 microns.

22. A ceramic raw material according to Claim 20 or Claim 21 characterized in that the ceramic raw material comprises Na-Feldspar at a ratio of 25-35% by weight.

23. A ceramic raw material according to Claim 20 or Claim 21 characterized in that the ceramic raw material comprises Na-Feldspar at a ratio of 30% by weight.

24. A ceramic raw material according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the ceramic raw material additionally comprises quartz.

25. A ceramic raw material according to Claim 24 characterized in that quartz comprises 99.5% by weight SiCh and has a grain size distribution of 63 microns.

26. A ceramic raw material according to Claim 24 or Claim 25 characterized in that the ceramic raw material comprises quartz at a ratio of 15-25% by weight.

27. A ceramic raw material according to Claim 24 or Claim 25 characterized in that the ceramic raw material comprises quartz at a ratio of 20% by weight.

28. A ceramic raw material according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the ceramic raw material additionally comprises at least one clay, which comprises 28-31% by weight AI2O3, 2.5-2.8% by weight Fe2Os, 2.5-3.0% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 65-68%.

29. A ceramic raw material according to Claim 28 characterized in that the ceramic raw material comprises the clay at a ratio of 2.5-10% by weight.

30. A ceramic raw material according to Claim 28 characterized in that the ceramic raw material comprises the clay at a ratio of 5% by weight.

31. A ceramic raw material according to any one of Claims 1-17 characterized in that the ceramic raw material comprises the mixture of clay and kaolin at a ratio of 40- 50% by weight; Na-Feldspar at a ratio of 25-35% by weight; quartz at a ratio of 15- 25% by weight; and 2.5-10% by weight at least one clay, which comprises 28-31% by weight AI2O3, 2.5-2.8% by weight Fe2Os, 2.5-3.0% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 65-68%.

32. A ceramic raw material according to any one of Claims 1-17 characterized in that the ceramic raw material comprises the mixture of clay and kaolin at a ratio of 45% by weight; Na-Feldspar at a ratio of 30% by weight; quartz at a ratio of 20% by weight; and 5% by weight at least one clay, which comprises 28-31% by weight AI2O3, 2.5-2.8% by weight Fe2Os, 2.5-3.0% by weight K2O and which has a casting concentration of 65-68%.

33. A ceramic raw material according to Claim 31 or Claim 32 characterized in that the ceramic raw material comprises Na-Feldspar, which comprises 10% by weight Na2O and has a grain size distribution of 63 microns; and quartz, which comprises 99.5% by weight SiCh and has a grain size distribution of 63 microns.

34. A ceramic raw material according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the ceramic raw material is the raw material for the ceramic sanitary ware.

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