Decorative refractory tile and method of use

A process of aesthetically improving a fireplace according to the following steps:

• fabricating decorative refractory tiles made from clay by thoroughly mixing the following components to form a clay body:
• 0.76 to 0.84% by weight Sodium Oxide (Na2O);
• 1.06-1.18% by weight Potassium Oxide (K2O);
• 0.14-0.16% by weight Magnesium Oxide (MgO);
• 0.15-0.17% by weight Calcium Oxide (CaO);
• 27.10-29.95% by weight Aluminum Oxide (Al2O);
• 1.05-1.17% by weight Ferric Oxide (Fe2O3);
• 63.46-70.14% by weight Silicon Dioxide (SiO2);
• 0.75-0.83% by weight Titanium Dioxide (TiO2);
• 0.019-0.021% by weight Phosphorus Pentoxide(P2O5);
• 0.50-0.56% by weight Organic material;
• and water making up a minimum of 20% by weight of the total component weight,
• flattening said clay body into a planar form having a thickness between ⅝ and ½ of an inch;
• cutting shaped tiles from said planar form;
• firing said shaped tiles in a kiln with an increasing temperature rise of between 120° F. and 400° F. per hour for a approximately eight and one half (8.5) hours reaching a final temperature of between 2228° F. and 2273° F.;
• allowing said fired tiles to cool;
• setting the fired tiles to the interior surfaces of a fireplace to form a spaced, aesthetically appealing pattern with a wet, air setting high strength mortar adapted for use in temperatures over to 2000° F.;
• grouting said spaces in the pattern with a wet, air setting, thick patching mortar adapted for use with temperatures exceeding 2000° F.

A decorative refractory product made from at least a 3 hour firing of a clay body reaching a final temperature of between 2228° F. and 2273° F., wherein said clay body, when fired, has the following chemical composition within a 5% tolerance for each component:

• 0.805% by weight Sodium Oxide (Soda);
• 1.12% by weight Potassium Oxide (Potash);
• 0.15% by weight Magnesium Oxide (Magnesia);
• 0.16% by weight Calcium Oxide (Quicklime);
• 28.52% by weight Aluminum Oxide (Alumina);
• 1.11% by weight Ferric Oxide (Iron);
• 66.8% by weight Silicon Dioxide (Silica);
• 0.79% by weight Titanium Dioxide (Titania);
• and
• 0.02% by weight Phosphorus Pentoxide.