Raw Material Preparation: The main raw materials for large-format porcelain slabs include natural mineral raw materials (such as quartz sand, feldspar, clay, etc.), inorganic pigments, and various additives. These raw materials must be strictly screened to ensure stable chemical composition and fine, uniform particles, guaranteeing the quality of the final product. After mixing in a certain proportion, the raw materials undergo ball milling to further refine the particles and improve mixing uniformity.
Pressing and Forming: The uniformly mixed raw materials are fed into a large press and molded under high pressure (usually up to several thousand tons). In this step, the pressure of the press, the pressing speed, and the mold design all have a significant impact on the density, flatness, and dimensional accuracy of the porcelain slab. The pressed porcelain slab blanks require preliminary drying to remove some moisture and prevent cracking during the subsequent firing process.
High-Temperature Firing: The dried porcelain slab blanks are sent into a kiln for high-temperature firing. The firing temperature is usually between 1200°C and 1300°C, lasting from several hours to tens of hours, depending on the thickness, composition, and desired physical properties of the porcelain slab. During high-temperature firing, the mineral components in the raw materials undergo chemical reactions, forming a dense crystalline structure that gives the porcelain slab its excellent properties such as high strength, high hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. At the same time, the inorganic pigments maintain stable coloration at high temperatures, giving the porcelain slab rich colors and textures.
Surface Treatment: The fired porcelain slabs require surface treatment to enhance their aesthetics and practicality. Common surface treatments include polishing, matte finish, soft gloss, and sandblasting, which can be selected according to different application scenarios and customer needs. Polishing can give the porcelain slab surface a mirror-like effect, enhancing spatial brightness; matte or soft gloss finishes reduce light reflection, creating a warm and comfortable atmosphere; and sandblasting increases surface friction, improving anti-slip performance.
Cutting and Processing: Finally, according to customer requirements, the porcelain slabs need to undergo precise cutting, chamfering, and drilling to adapt to different installation sizes and shape requirements. Professional cutting equipment and tools must be used during the cutting process to ensure that the cutting edges are smooth and free from chipping or cracking.
During the production of large-format porcelain slabs, attention must also be paid to factors such as the purity of raw materials, the stability of the pressing and firing processes, the advanced nature of surface treatment technologies, and the precision control of cutting and processing. All of these factors have a significant impact on the final quality of the porcelain slabs.
