Finding the right refractory brick for building a stove, fireplace or outdoor barbecue can be difficult. It has different densities, thermal conductivity, porosity, and even the firing methods are radically different. Now we will talk about how to choose the right refractory material, tell you what fireclay brick is and what it is used with, and also consider all the characteristics of this material, properties and maximum permissible values.
We may not consider all types of building materials. We will focus specifically on the characteristics of fireclay bricks and its varieties, since fire-resistant structures and small architectural forms are most often built from it. In the article we will also touch upon methods of laying refractory bricks , since they differ significantly from the usual rules of urban planning, where cement and sand are always used alone.
Advantages and disadvantages
The properties of fireclay brick make it a unique material. For some structures it will be perfect, but for others its use will be pointless. First you need to study its positive and negative sides.
Advantages:
- High fire resistance . Premises or other structures made of fireclay bricks will meet all fire safety requirements.
- Retains its structure under the influence of temperatures up to 1500 °C. For comparison, ordinary brick will not withstand even 1000 °C.
- Has high heat transfer . A very important characteristic for a stove or fireplace.
- Keeps heat in . The unique structure of the material allows the brick not to cool for a long time after heating.
- Long service life . The material copes well with high temperatures and is also resistant to mold and mildew.
Fireclay brick is ready for harsh operating conditions Source: front-brick72.rf
- Wide palette of shades . You can choose a brick of the exact color that fits better into the interior.
Flaws:
- High price . Fireclay bricks are several times more expensive than regular bricks, so they are rarely used to build houses.
- High strength . This characteristic is an advantage during operation, but will be a disadvantage when working with the material. Cutting fireclay bricks can sometimes only be done with special tools.
Fireclay brick, whose characteristics are quite unique, is unlikely to be suitable for building a summer house or garage, because it is too expensive. But it’s ideal for a barbecue or oven area.
Price
The price of refractory bricks is made up of such parameters as its type, shape, that is, standard ones are cheaper than unusual ones, and the presence or absence of enhanced indicators. The manufacturer, namely his “title”, does not matter much when determining the cost.
The volume of purchase is also important. For example, the cost from the manufacturer is cheaper than in the store, but it is impossible to buy a couple of bricks at the factory; you need to buy them in bulk. On average, when buying from manufacturers, you will have to spend as follows - 19 rubles per piece with a minimum batch (“package”) of 400 bricks. Of course, with pickup.
When purchasing with delivery, the cost increases, but if a large number of “packages” are purchased, it, on the contrary, decreases. It makes sense to calculate not only the amount that will be required to build, for example, a fireplace, but also to estimate how much it will take to install a “summer” kitchen, and so on. That is, buy “with a reserve.” Brick can be stored for any amount of time and does not require any special storage conditions.
As for stores, the cost there averages from 23.5 to 32 rubles per brick. The convenience is that the quantity is not limited. For example, you can buy 25 pieces and lay out a platform for a fire.
As for delivery, the weight is really small and theoretically a certain amount can simply be carried in a backpack, but practically speaking, a volume of 20-30 bricks cannot be carried in a bag, but they can be transported in a simple passenger car; trucks cannot will be required.
Application and main characteristics of fireclay bricks
Fireclay brick, what it is and where it is used, still remains a mystery to many. Firstly, you need to know that among all refractory bricks, fireclay is considered the most durable. This allows it to be used in any structures that are susceptible to high temperatures. Fireclay brick is used even in industrial enterprises.
The main characteristics of the material are indicated by two letters in its name. The first letter is Ш, it means that the material is fireclay. The second letter is responsible for the degree of fire resistance, where A is the highest, B is average, C is the lowest. Moreover, even ShV bricks will withstand exposure to 1250°C. The numbers at the end of the model code are the dimensions and shape, but these characteristics will be clear from their appearance.
Brick with markings Source kievfagot.com.ua
Main characteristics:
- Dimensions . ШБ-5 is the most popular size of refractory brick, the standard in cm is 23x11.4x6.5. Another popular type is ShB-8, its dimensions are 25x12.4x6.5 cm.
- Form . One of the main disadvantages of fireclay bricks is the difficulty of cutting them to obtain blocks of the required shape. Manufacturers are solving the problem by producing rectangular, wedge-shaped, trapezoidal and other variations of bricks.
Fireclay bricks of different sizes and shapes Source nebezopasno.com
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in the design and installation of fireplaces and stoves of any complexity
- Porosity . The characteristic on which thermal conductivity depends. The higher the porosity, the better the material conducts heat.
- Weight . This characteristic, in turn, depends on porosity. In general, SB is a fairly light material, so it will not create pressure on the foundation.
It is these four characteristics that will allow you to choose the ideal material for the construction of a home smokehouse, stove or barbecue area.
Types of refractories
Carbon brick differs in composition from other refractory products. It is based on graphite or coke, the content of which is close to 92%. Carbon brick products have a narrow purpose. Blast furnaces are made from it.
Quartz brick is made from a mixture of quartz and sandstone. The main advantage is its high density. Quartz products make reliable chimneys, fireplace walls, and some types of stoves.
The material is chemically unstable; may react with acidic and alkaline substances; metal oxides.
Dinosaur refractory brick consists of 94% silicon oxide and retains strength well at high temperatures, reaching 1690 ℃. The material, in accordance with its characteristics, is ideal for open-hearth furnaces and regenerators.
Semi-acid brick is classified as fireclay brick. Its composition is represented mainly by aluminum and silicon oxides. The material can be heated in an oven up to 1670℃. It tolerates mechanical loads well; has a large number of pores (up to 30%), lower density than other refractories.
Products with a predominant (62%) aluminum oxide content are called mullite. If the mass fraction of aluminum oxide (alumina) exceeds 90%, then the products are called corundum.
High-alumina bricks are used for laying linings in the construction of metallurgical enterprises.
Alumina brick, which is often called simply fireclay, has found the widest range of applications. It contains a high concentration of clay (chamotte) and can withstand temperatures up to 1400 ℃.
It tolerates temperature changes well and is inert to the action of alkaline components. Fireclay alumina products are used everywhere in everyday life and industry due to their good performance characteristics.
How to choose a good fireclay brick
The composition of fireclay bricks, its size and porosity are the main characteristics, but it is also important to choose a high-quality material made. Everything may look beautiful on paper, but in practice, an incorrectly made brick will cause problems. When choosing, you need to pay attention to:
- Appearance . _ The brick should be of a uniform shade, without obvious transitions between light and dark areas. The surfaces of the SB should be smooth, but without a film formed due to long-term storage in the oven. Of course, any chips, cracks and other obvious damage are also undesirable;
Only smooth and hard brick will be of high quality Source izkirpicha.com
- Sound . Helps identify internal damage. When colliding with a steel object, a clear sound should occur without unnecessary vibrations;
- Sectional view . The outer part of the brick should have a more saturated color than the inner one. If the material has a dark core, there is a danger that the brick was burned in the oven.
Where can I buy?
This question is important for many home craftsmen. Definitely large specialized construction stores. It is better if the company is an official dealer of the manufacturer.
The most important thing is where to buy stove blocks. It is much more important to check their quality and all documentation from the sellers. Sometimes construction markets charge high prices for products from well-known brands. Use the data provided in this article and carefully check the quality and measure the dimensions of heat-resistant bricks. At the slightest deviation, think - maybe go to another store and look for quality material?
Fireclay clay - features and composition
Fireclay fireclay is made from pure kaolin; it is fired in a special oven at a temperature of about 1500°C. As a result of this treatment, the plasticity and moisture content of the clay decreases. The material turns out to be solid with different densities. After firing, the clay is crushed to obtain a mass divided into fractions.
Crushed clay in packaging Source izkirpicha.com
Fireclay also contains the following components:
- quartz;
- aluminosilicate ceramics;
- oxides of potassium, sodium, iron, calcium and magnesium.
This chemical composition increases the clay’s strength, tolerance to difficult operating conditions and ductility. This allowed the material to be used not only in construction, but also in art.
Adviсe
- Laying refractory bricks is used for certain places; in order to accurately calculate the amount of material required, it is advisable to consult with a furnace specialist.
- To build stoves and fireplaces, you need to choose the material very carefully. Since reliability, strength, service life, as well as safety depend on this. The use of low-quality material or material not intended for these purposes can lead to disastrous consequences - the structure will soon collapse.
Follow all the recommendations and you will succeed!
Using clay for masonry mortar
To build anything from fireclay bricks, you will need to use a special mortar. It consists of the following components:
- Crushed refractory clay.
- Fireclay additive.
- Water.
How to dilute fireclay clay correctly:
- Pour water over the clay and leave to soak for 1-3 days. In this case, you will have to stir it from time to time.
- If the clay is not crushed, it will have to be ground. For this, experts recommend using a sieve with 3×3 mm cells.
- Add fireclay sand to the clay and mix the mixture thoroughly.
- Gradually add water to the mixture and stir. The result should be a mixture that resembles sour cream in consistency.
Preparation of the solution Source indclimat.ru
The proportions of clay and sand should be used 1 to 2. Sometimes liquid glass or a little salt can be added to the solution, this improves its quality.
Short description
Refractory bricks for stoves are capable of not collapsing and deforming under the influence of high temperatures - the main difference from conventional building materials. It is made from several types of clay with the addition of substances that increase the heat resistance of products.
It is recommended to use several types of building materials when laying individual parts of the stove. To cover the outer layer, red ceramic or white silicate is used, and the firebox is lined with fireclay bricks
It is important to maintain the overall color scheme of the heater on the outside and inside
In order not to overpay, you should not buy parts with a grade above M-300 for a household oven. The digital value indicates the safety factor of the products. If the grade is below 100, the material is of poor quality with improper geometry and density of the material. M-500 bricks are used for laying industrial or powerful units.
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Using clay for plaster
Fireclay clay as a plaster in the application process is not much different from conventional plastering with cement. To complete the work, you will only need a large and medium spatula.
The solution is prepared in a ratio of 7:2:1, where the following materials are in order from greatest to least:
- Quarry sand.
- Fireclay sand.
- Portland cement.
Portland cement is an essential component in the composition Source udarnik.spb.ru
As in the case of masonry mortar, salt can be added to improve properties. Only 100 grams is enough for a bucket.
Fireclay clay, which is used for plaster, is applied with a spatula. During the process, you need to quickly pick up all the small drops and level the surface. The thickness of the plaster layer should be 1-2 mm. After this, leave to dry, the exact time of which will be indicated on the fireclay clay packaging.
The use of fireclay clay in art
Representatives of art liked the unique properties of the material, so today you can see a wide variety of products made from fireclay clay. Souvenir figurines and ceramic dishes are made from it. The products are suitable for decorating a private home, office, restaurant in the national style.
Products made from fireclay clay Source goldvoice.club
The high plasticity of the material allows you to create detailed figures. People and animals with characteristic facial features and fragments of ornamentation are found even on the smallest figures. The environmental friendliness of the material also plays an important role.
To create a figurine or other work of art from ceramics, plastic clay with the addition of fireclay sand (up to 40%) is used. The process begins with developing a sketch, drawing up a mold and pouring material into it. Once the product has completely dried, it will be ready.
