The ceramic body used for producing floor or wall tiles is primarily composed of inorganic raw materials—such as clays, feldspars, and sands—combined with milling water and chemical additives.

To ensure smooth handling throughout the various production stages these bodies must exhibit well-defined characteristics that help prevent process disruptions. At the same time, once the raw ceramic body has been pressed, it must also possess the right mechanical and physical properties to safely withstand the drying and firing stages, ultimately enabling the development of defect-free ceramic surfaces.

Achieving this outcome requires the targeted use of specific additives, which play a crucial role in optimizing the entire process.

What are the main additive families involved?

What functions do they perform, and what mechanisms do they trigger?