In ceramic tile production calcium lignosulfonate is used as a binder for spray-dried pressing powder and as a dispersant for the slurry that feeds the spray dryer. This page explains both uses and how to trial them on a tile line. For an overview of all ceramic uses, see calcium lignosulfonate for ceramics.
Where it fits in the tile process
| Stage | Role of calcium lignosulfonate | What to measure |
|---|---|---|
| Wet milling and slurry storage | Dispersant: lowers slurry viscosity at a given solids content | Viscosity and density, settling, viscosity drift over storage time |
| Spray drying | Binder retained in the granules | Granule size distribution, moisture, flowability |
| Pressing | Green strength of the pressed tile | Green and dry bending strength, edge chipping, lamination |
| Drying and firing | Burns out in the kiln | Black core, pinholes, fired colour, water absorption |
Earlier versions of this page gave fixed figures for strength gain and water reduction. They were not from our own tests and have been removed; the effect depends on the clay mix, milling, solids content and press settings, and has to be measured on your line.
Trial procedure
- Record the current slurry recipe, solids, viscosity and existing deflocculant (for example sodium silicate or polyphosphate).
- Add calcium lignosulfonate in small steps and measure viscosity at constant solids, both fresh and after storage.
- Spray-dry or granulate a lab batch and press test tiles at production pressure.
- Measure green and dry strength, then fire with the production cycle and check fired properties and colour.
- Confirm the chosen addition in a plant trial.
Grades for tile production
For slurry dispersion start with the calcium lignosulfonate dispersant grade; its TDS gives a supplier-recommended starting trial range of 0.1 – 1.0% by material weight. For green-strength binding use the standard grades on the calcium lignosulfonate product page or see the ceramic binder guide. Each grade has a TDS and MSDS; every shipment has a batch COA.
Quality points for tiles
- Fast firing cycles leave little time for organic burnout; watch for black core in thick tiles.
- The brown colour of the product may matter for light-coloured porcelain bodies; test fired colour.
- Stored slurries containing lignosulfonate can change viscosity or develop microbial growth; monitor storage time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does calcium lignosulfonate do in tile manufacturing?
It disperses the clay slurry before spray drying and acts as a temporary binder that gives pressed tiles handling strength before firing.
Does calcium lignosulfonate affect fired tile colour?
It burns out in the kiln, but incomplete burnout or the calcium content can affect colour and black coring in some bodies, so fired-colour tests are needed.
How much is added to a tile body?
For dispersion, the dispersant grade TDS gives 0.1 – 1.0% by material weight as a supplier-recommended starting trial range. The final addition is set by slurry and green-strength tests.
Contact info@greenagrochem.com with your body recipe and process for a trial sample.
