A refractory brick, commonly known as fire brick, is a ceramic building material used to construct blocks that can withstand high temperatures. These bricks are made in a similar way to normal bricks except during the burning process, where they are subjected to very high temperatures. Fire bricks can withstand high temperatures without splitting.
This article describes the characteristics, properties, and types of fire bricks used in construction projects.
Fire bricks: Features
Fire bricks are used to construct kilns, furnaces, and fireplaces. They have low thermal conductivity and high energy efficiency. These bricks are used where the structure is subjected to extreme mechanical, thermal, and chemical stresses. The fire bricks are not supposed to split, whatever the temperature, and their strength must be equivalent to withstand extreme temperature changes. These are bricks that can withstand temperatures of up to 1500 degrees Celsius.
Fire bricks: Clay used to make them
Fire clay is commonly found beneath coal seams and is used to make fire bricks. Fire clay has two major constituents: silica and alumina, with silica ranging from 60 to 70% and alumina ranging from 25 to 35%.
Other constituents of fireclay include oxides of potassium, magnesium, iron, potassium, and titanium. However, in the case of good fire clay, the proportion of components other than silica and alumina does not exceed 5%.
Fire bricks: Characteristics
The following are the primary characteristics of fire bricks:
- Resistance to high temperatures.
- Resistance to temperature fluctuations.
- Pressure resistance at higher temperatures.
- At higher temperatures, there is little or no expansion.
- Wear and tear resistance.
- Ability to resist reduction or oxidation.
- High abrasion resistance to dust, metal, slag, and other materials
- Low thermal absorption at high temperatures.
- Have consistency in size, shape, and composition.
- Good chemical resistance.
Fire bricks: Uses
- Fire bricks line the inner floors of kilns, furnaces, chimneys, and other structures to build fire-resistant structures to reduce structural defects that lead to fires.
- They are used to line the inside of a wood-fired oven.
- Due to their lower thermal conductivity, ovens are insulated with these bricks.
Is there a difference between a fire brick and a kiln brick?
They are the same. Kiln bricks, also known as fire bricks or refractory bricks, are made of a ceramic refractory substance that can endure extremely high temperatures, such as those attained during kiln firings.
Is it possible to use a regular brick as a fire brick?
Regular bricks will crack in high temperatures, so only fire bricks should be used.
Article source : housing.com (Housing News Desk)