REFRACTORY FIRE BRICKS: COMPLETE GUIDE

Refractory brick, often known as fire brick, is a form of brick that is built or constructed to withstand intense heat. This type of brick, for example, is used to build kilns and furnaces. Numerous producers all around the world produce refractory bricks in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles. The majority of refractory fire bricks manufacturers also provide personalized fire bricks to their customers. The main advantage of utilizing refractory brick is that it can readily tolerate high temperatures without failing. Whereas other bricks readily heat up, this type of brick is noted for insulating characteristics.

What Are Refractory Fire Bricks?

Refractory bricks are a type of refractory ceramic material that is used to line furnaces, kilns, and fireboxes. This brick is designed to endure high temperatures while still having a low thermal conductivity for maximum energy efficiency.

Refractory fire bricks can lead to heat without melting or fusing. Silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide are common ingredients in fire brick. To get the desired effect, the technique for producing fire brick entails baking at a high temperature.

Types of Refractory Bricks?

There are 3 main types of refractory fire bricks.

Acid Refractory Bricks

Acidic fire brick, also known as acid-resistant brick, is used to withstand the acidic impacts of chemicals or weather.

Normal refractory brick made of natural fire clay is generally as excellent as acid brick, but if greater acid resistance is necessary, an additional amount of silica is placed on fire clay, which can account for up to 97 percent of its composition. Lime at a concentration of 1 to 2% can be added to binding bases. Acid bricks are burned at high temperatures over long periods of time.

Basic Refractory Bricks

These bricks have excellent corrosion and chemical resistance. They contain a large amount of magnesia, and lime is also used as a binding element. Magnesite bricks, Magnesia-carbon bricks, Magnesia-chrome bricks, and other basic fire bricks are available.

Neutral Refractory Bricks

These are suitable for both acidic and basic linings. They are resistant to acidic gases as well as corrosive effects. Neutral bricks are classified into two types: high alumina bricks and chromite bricks. 

High alumina bricks contain a large amount of alumina, whereas chromite bricks contain chromium, iron oxide, silica, bauxite, and iron ore in varying proportions.

Neutral bricks are employed to keep the acid and basic linings of a furnace from reacting. They are not very significant because they are not used for fire resistance.

What Are Uses?

The following are some uses for refractory fire bricks:

• Refractory bricks work as line the interior floors of, chimneys, kilns, furnaces and other similar structures.
• To build fire-resistant constructions in order to reduce structural faults that lead to fires.
• For the interior lining of a wood-fired oven.
• Because of their decreased thermal conductivity, ovens are used as an insulating element in furnaces.

Know more about: The importance of refractory materials

Advantages of Refractory Fire Bricks!

Here are some of the most common benefits of refractory fire bricks:

Insulating Nature

Insulating Nature – A refractory brick will be used primarily for its insulating properties. It has the power to stop heat and prevent it from passing through to the opposite side. Its usage in the construction of a house will keep the interior warm during the spring and fall.

Weather Resistance 

One of the most typical issues on building sites is the damage that conventional bricks sustain as a result of changes in climate conditions or improper storage. You will only require a dry storage area if you use refractory bricks.

Superior Durability

Despite insulating properties, refractory  fire bricks are more durable than conventional bricks which generate from ordinary clay. Another appealing feature of fire bricks is their low weight in comparison to their durability.

Easy To Store

It has always been discovered that many bricks are quickly destroyed in large or lengthy construction projects owing to improper storage and changes in temperature conditions. There is no variation in storage between refractory and fire brick. Just keep them in a dry place, as moisture might deteriorate such bricks.

Cost-Effective

They are not only imaginative, but they are also economical. They are not pricey, unlike the additional fire bricks. Lighter versions can be much more costly than heavier versions. Despite their density, they can be extremely resilient.

Customized 

The fact that refractory bricks can be acquired from manufacturers who offer bespoke firebricks is one of their most appealing features. You can order them in the shape, size, and specifications that best fit your needs.

Because of these advantages, the price of these firebricks is reasonable. You can not only profit from the amazing benefits they provide, but you can even order them in design to add your unique and creative touch.

Composition of Fireclay & Refractory

Fire clay: A larger percentage of non-detrimental silica and alumina should be present in fire clay. They should contain only trace amounts of harmful lime, magnesia, iron oxide, and alkalis.

Silica (SiO2): Silica softens at around 2800°F and eventually fuses and becomes a glassy substance at around 3200°F. It melts at about 3300°F. Because of its high softening and melting points, it has become the primary material used in the production of refractory bricks. 

Alumina (Al2O3): Alumina has a higher melting and fusion temperature than silica. It melts at around 3800°F. As a result, it is used in conjunction with silica.

Lime, Magnesia, Iron Oxide, and Alkalis – The presence of these hazardous components serve as fluxes, lowering the softening and fusion temperatures.

Application of Refractory Bricks 

Where heat insulation is necessary, fire brick or refractory brick is commonly used. This sort of brick, for example, has been widely employed in the construction of the furnace. These types of bricks are even employed in housing construction projects in extreme weather circumstances, such as extreme hot or cold areas. In hot weather, refractory brick keeps the interior chilly, while in cold weather, it keeps the home warm on the inside. These are some of the most prevalent uses for refractory or fire brick.

Characteristic of Refractory Bricks

The following are the characteristics of fire refractory or fire bricks:

• The hue of refractory bricks is pale yellow or white.
•  They come in sizes varying from 9 X 4.5 X 2.5 inches to 9 X 2.75 X 2.25 inches.
• A typical fire brick weighs between 30 and 35 N.
• Fire brick has a compressive strength ranging from 200 to 220 Kg/cm2.
• The amount of moisture absorption is between 5 and 10%.
• A typical fire brick weighs between 30 and 35 N. 
• Fire brick has a compressive strength ranging from 200 to 220 Kg/cm2.
• The percentage of moisture absorption is between 5 and 10%.
• They are chemically resistant.
• It may be more resistant to wear. 
• Thermal conductivity – The heat flow rate per unit area through the material per unit area with the porosity in-unit temperature gradient circumstances.
• Brick has good impact resistance and long service life.
• At higher temperatures, resist the action of slag erosion and avoid destruction.

Properties of Good Refractory Bricks

• To get the intended result, the refractory bricks are of good quality. The properties of good fire bricks are as follows.
• Extreme stress in furnace walls and arches needs refractory bricks to sustain.
• They must maintain their stiffness even at high temperatures.
• At the heating rate, irreversible volume fluctuation should not occur. Because shrinking causes junctions and effects to open in a leaking furnace.
• They must be able to withstand the tendency of cracking and splitting off fragments when exposed to a quick change in temperature.
• This should not be able to quickly create fusible commodities with slags.
• They are unable to react with furnace gases.
• They should achieve a compressive strength of between 20000 and 30000 psi. 
• When kept in water for 24 hours, they should not eat more than 6% of their weight in water. 

Take Away 

Although refractory bricks may resist extremely high temperatures, they often have lower heat conductivity. Ganeshas is one of the best Refractory Fire Brick Manufacturers in India.