In the construction industry, bricks are regarded as a primary building blocks which are used for several different purposes. The bricks need to be strong, durable and tough to provide enough strength to structure so that it can last for years.
Fire bricks are special types of bricks that have ability to withstand under intense heat as well as stop fire flames from spreading. These bricks have low thermal conductivity and extreme high melting point. Owing to these properties, fire bricks are widely used in fireboxes, kilns, fireplaces, liners, woodfire ovens, etc.
What Are Fire Bricks?
Fire bricks are molded rectangular blocks of clay that are made of refractory ceramic material. High in alumina content, fire bricks are baked and treated to make them heat resistant in order to make them withstand high temperatures. Fire bricks are also renowned for their capability of improving the efficiency of heating systems by sustaining excessive heat without fusion. In other words, fire bricks resist the heat to pass through them, instead they reflect the heat waves back to the fireplace, thereby creating more heat inside a fireplace.
Though fire bricks are durable as compared to normal bricks, they also tend to crack or break down over a period of time. This will eventually reduce the efficiency of fireplace. The only way to retain back the efficiency of fireplace is to replace the cracked fire bricks. As the cracks in the fire brick will let the heat to escape from the fireplace. The sides of the fireplace will experience high temperature because of escaped heat and will gradually damage it.
Fire Bricks – Their Various Types & Uses
Fire bricks are available in various ratings, which are based on their composition and applications. The physical properties of firebricks can be adjusted by adding or reducing the amount of refractory material during the manufacturing process. The different specifications of fire bricks includes Dense Bricks, Clay Bricks, Heavy Duty Bricks, Insulating Bricks and many more.
Heavy Duty Fire Bricks are heavier in weight and are designed to withstand extreme temperatures. These fire bricks are mainly used in large-sized furnaces as they have 50% alumina and 50% silica in their composition. These bricks last for a long time and hence, they are used in firebox application at residential, industrial and commercial level.
Clay Bricks are made by using local clay which are fired in a kiln, between 2000F to3000F. These bricks cannot withstand high temperature so they are used for constructing the dome of the furnaces. Decorative arch with pillars on both sides of the oven vent along with the vent landing can be made using these clay bricks.
Insulation Bricks are light in weight and have low thermal conductivity and low heat holding capacity. These bricks have the capability of stopping heat and hence, they are used for as a insulating material in industrial furnaces. Insulation bricks are soft in texture and have small air pockets which increase the insulating properties of these bricks.
Depending upon the composition of fire brick, they are being used for various applications which make them a versatile and indispensable product. Everything from fireplaces, fireboxes to pizza ovens are designed using refractory fire bricks. The heavy duty fire bricks are used in the cooking floor of the oven while the clay bricks are used for making decorative dome and landing base of the oven. Fire brick products are also used in making a thermal shield on the space shuttle.
