Clay bricks are the most commonly used “bricks” in high-temperature furnaces. If they’re not strong enough, they’ll chip and break. The following three paragraphs will explain how to make them stronger.
1.Optimize the ratio of raw materials
This is the fundamental premise that determines the strength of clay bricks.
First of all, the main raw material of clay bricks is refractory clay. Its alumina (Al₂O₃) content and impurity levels directly affect the brick’s refractoriness and high-temperature performance.
Low-Porosity-Clay-bricks
Secondly, the role of clinker is crucial. It can effectively reduce the shrinkage of bricks during the drying and firing process, thereby increasing the density and final strength of the brick body.
In addition, the type and amount of binder must also be precisely controlled. A suitable binder can ensure that the green body has sufficient green strength during the molding and handling process, providing a guarantee for the subsequent firing process.
2.Control the firing process
After the raw materials are determined, the firing process becomes the core link that determines the final strength of clay bricks.
Specifically, the setting of the firing temperature is crucial.
The temperature is too low and the physical and chemical reactions in the bricks are not sufficient. It will be difficult to form a dense ceramic bonding phase, resulting in insufficient strength. On the contrary, too high a temperature may cause the brick to overburn, resulting in deformation or excessive glass phase, which will damage its high-temperature structural strength.
clay brick
In addition to temperature, the heating rate and holding time also need to be finely controlled. Slow and even heating can avoid cracking caused by large temperature differences between inside and outside. Similarly, sufficient holding time can ensure that the reaction is complete, promote the development and growth of the crystal phase, and thus significantly improve the mechanical strength and corrosion resistance of the brick.
3.Reasonable selection and application of clay bricks
Even if high-strength clay bricks are produced, their ultimate performance is inseparable from reasonable selection and application.
First of all, you must choose the right type of brick according to the specific use environment. For example, for areas with drastic temperature fluctuations, high-alumina bricks with better thermal shock resistance or clay bricks with special structures should be given priority, rather than just focusing on the compressive strength at room temperature.
high alumina bricks
Furthermore, during the masonry construction process, standardized masonry quality and matching refractory mortar are also crucial. Improper masonry methods will create stress concentration points and become the weak link of the structure.
In short, improving the strength of clay bricks is a systematic project. Raw materials, processes and applications, each link is closely linked and together determine the final performance of the product.
