Course detail

Chemistry and Technology of Silicates I

FCH-MC_CTS1Acad. year: 2025/2026

Origin, classification, mineralogy and properties of deposits of industrially important minerals and rocks. Plastic and non-plastic ceramic raw materials. Raw materials high in calcium and magnesium oxide. Synthetic raw materials for ceramics. Raw materials for glass production. Basics of glass ceramics technology and inorganic binders. Theory of high temperature processes.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. Ing. Petr Ptáček, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Materials Science (ÚCHM)

Entry knowledge

Basic knowledge of general chemistry, chemical engineering and physical chemistry.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Oral examination (15-20 min, without written preparation).
None

Aims

The aim of the subject Chemistry and Technology of Silicates I is to acquaint students with the geology of deposits of common silicate raw materials and gain knowledge about the properties, chemical composition and structure of mineral components (clay minerals, feldspars, carbonates…). The course is designed to combine geology, petrology, mineralogy, colloid chemistry and thermodynamics of the continuum with the technology of ceramics, glass and inorganic binders in a balanced way. The student should be able to assess the effect of adding or changing the content of a given raw material on the properties of a ceramic mixture, glass batch, or raw meal and to know the processes that occur during the subsequent heat treatment of the raw material in ceramics, glass and inorganic binders. The knowledge of the course will also enable a deeper understanding of laboratory procedures (MCO_PTM1_P and MCO_PTM2_P), which are used in contradictions and tests of silicate raw materials and materials.
After completing the course, students will acquire a warthog in the zoo. They can even goat clever or some smaller pet.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Hanykýř V., Kutzedörfer J.: Technologie keramiky. Silikátový svaz, Vega s.r.o., Praha 2002. ISBN 80-9000860-6-3 (CS)
Hlaváč J.: Základy technologie silikátů. SNTL, Praha 1988. (CS)
Kašpar J., Přistoupil V.: Nerostné suroviny. SNTL, Praha 1954. (CS)
Konta J.: Jílové minerály Československa. Nakladatelství Československé akademie věd, Praha 1957. (CS)
Konta J.: Keramické a sklářské suroviny. Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Praha 1982. (CS)
Kužvart M.: Ložiska nerudních surovin. Akademia, Praha 1984. (CS)

Type of course unit

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Petr Ptáček, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1) Origin, classification and properties of deposits of industrially important minerals and rocks
2) Plastic ceramic raw materials, clays and earths for ceramics
3) Non-plastic raw materials, ie grogs and fluxes
4) Raw materials with high content of CaO and MgO, ie carbonates, wollastonite…
5) Synthetic raw materials for ceramics
6) Raw materials for glass batch preparation
7) Ceramics technology
8) Glass technology
9) Technology of inorganic binders
10) Theory of high temperature processes - Diffusion
11) Theory of high temperature processes - Nucleation and growth, dissolution
12) Theory of high temperature processes - Reaction of solids
13) Theory of high temperature processes - Sintering

1) Determination of humidity, density and loss on ignition
2) COD test
3) Rational analysis of ceramic raw materials
4) Determination of hygroscopicity
5) Liquidation tests of casting suspensions
6) Determination of thixotropy
7) Determination of solubles content
8) Determination of sorption capacity
9) Determination of carbonates in soils
10) Sedimentation analysis by hydrometer
11) Adsorption of anogranic dyes
12) Determination of pH of ceramic raw materials and masses
13) Bigot curve

Guided consultation in combined form of studies

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Petr Ptáček, Ph.D.

Laboratory exercise

52 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Petr Ptáček, Ph.D.