In this study, garnet sand which is a by-product of beach sand minerals, was utilised as a major raw material to develop single fired "synthetic granite" tiles. A series of compositions containing garnet sand, clay & feldspar were studied by heating at different temperatures. A hard vitrified product with dense microstructure/low porosity was obtained in the temp range of 1100-1150 deg C from an optimum combination. XRD study on the vitrified samples showed the presence of mullite, ferrite spinel & monticellite as major phases. Presence of these phases contributed towards superior hardness, abrasion resistance & strength development. SEM studies revealed the presence of strongly interlocked crystals of mullite & feroan spinel embedded in an amorphous glassy phase. Superior physico-mechanical properties may replace natural granite tiles in building industries.
