Refractory Bricks: Types, Specifications, and Characteristics

Refractory Bricks: Types, Specifications, and Characteristics
Refractory bricks, manufactured by the top basic refractory bricks suppliers in India are unconventional types of bricks. These bricks find applications in the making of structures which are exposed to extremely high temperatures including kilns, furnaces, and a large number of other structures. 
 
Refractory bricks are also called ceramic bricks or fire bricks. These bricks are generally manufactured in a way that they withstand extreme ranges of temperature fluctuations with no degradation in their appearance. Made up of special clay, the base material utilized for fire bricks is given treatment in such a way it withstands harsh temperatures when given a form of a brick or block. 
 
The refractory blocks for construction are fundamentally made out of two components, silica, and alumina. Both silica and alumina are refractory materials. A refractory or refractory material is alluded to as a kind of material that doesn't deteriorate in states of high temperature. They offer amazing resistance when presented with heat intensity and high temperatures.

Types of Fire Bricks

  • Basic refractory bricks that include dolomite blocks, bauxite blocks, and Magnesite blocks
  • Acidic refractory bricks that include ordinary fire block, Ganister block, and silica bauxite block
  • Neutral refractory bricks include Chrome magnesite blocks, Spinal blocks, Forsterite blocks Chromium blocks, and Carborundum. 

Specifications of Fire Bricks at a Glance 

Let us take a look at some of the basic specifications of refractory bricks as a significant masonry material/element. 
  • Weight - in ideal situations, each ceramic block weighs 3 kilograms
  • Dimensions - manufactured in a rectangular shape, the dimensions of an ideal refractory brick range between 9 inches x 4 inches x 1 inch to 9 inches x 4 inches x 3 inches
  • Composition – Silica – Varies from 60 to 96 per cent
  • Alumina – Varies from 2 to 36 per cent.
  • Other elements include (Lime, Magnesium, Iron oxide, and alkali) – which vary from 2 to 5%
  • Colour - can be yellowish to grey to red and orangish
  • Temperature –can resist heat up to a temperature of 2100 degrees Celsius (3600 degrees Fahrenheit).

Some of the primary characteristics of refractory bricks

Some of the primary characteristics of refractory bricks are as under:

  • They are generally yellowish-white in colour
  • They offer outstanding thermal resistance along with a great compressive strength
  • Their chemical composition is quite different from the chemical composition of normal bricks
  • Contain around 25 to 30% alumina and 60 to 70% silica apart from the oxides of magnesium, calcium, and potassium
  • Can be used in the construction of kilns, furnaces, etc. 
  • Have the ability to withstand temperatures up to 2100 degrees Celsius
  • They have an outstanding thermal capacity that helps many different structures to remain stable across various temperature ranges. 

Applications of Fire Bricks

Fire bricks or refractory bricks find applications in a large number of settings as excellent masonry materials. The applications can be divided into 2 major categories: –
 
1. Applications of fire bricks in high temperatures
2. Application of fire bricks in low temperatures.
 
  • The silica fire blocks are used for the development of steel-production furnaces. The temperature inside the furnaces remains around 3000 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • The refractory bricks are utilized as a building material to develop the inward covering of furnaces, chimneys, and other similar structures exposed to high temperatures.
  • They are also utilized to construct fire-resistant structures. The fire bricks bring down the possibility of any structural defects caused by high heat and temperatures.
  • Fire bricks are also used to make the inner lining of ovens that are made using wood as wood dies do not offer any fire resistance. 

Advantages of Refractory Bricks at Glance 

Relatively inexpensive

Refractory bricks come cheaper on the pricing front as the raw materials used to manufacture them are easily accessible and available.  

Resistant to fire 

The fire bricks come with an unmatched ability to resist fire and high temperatures. They make any structure not only fire-resistant but also bring down the possibility of structural damage caused by heat.

The easy manufacturing process

As far as the manufacturing process of fire bricks is concerned, it is quite similar to the manufacturing of conventional bricks that are widely used for masonry works.

No requirement for skilled labors

When it comes to the placement methodology of fire bricks, it is also quite similar to the conventional brick playing procedure. Therefore, they do not call for any skilled labour to carry out the task of brick-laying. 

Resistant to moisture

They can also absorb water, and this ability makes them an ideal water-resistant building material.

Customized sizes

Though the fire blocks come in a large number of shapes and sizes, they can be manufactured in various customized sizes as per the exact project requirements.
 
Notwithstanding the actual blocks, the mortar utilized should likewise endure high temperatures. Accordingly, it is typically made out of unique aggregates like vermiculite and refractory clay. Like the blocks, it can likewise contain alumina (Al2O3), mullite-zirconia, and different materials. It is consistently vital to accentuate that while planning or building structures that will interact with fire, it is crucial to pay attention to the materials utilized working together with the expert guidelines. 

Concluding Remarks

The driving force of the refractory industry - RHI Magnesita India is the leader in refractories the world over. The company has the largest number of locations around the globe to provide its valued customers with the most innovative, reliable products and services. Owing to its exceptional vertical integration – right from mining to production to full-service solutions, the company also provides the most robust supply and quality security. 
 
Well-known for high-quality magnesia bricks supply, RHI Magnesita India, right from the very beginning has been a leading supplier of high-grade refractory products, systems and solutions especially built for industrial high-temperature processes that in various conditions exceed 1,200°C in a large number of industries, including steel, cement, non-ferrous metals and glass. 
 
Some of the specialty products manufactured and supplied by the company include Isostatically pressed Continuous Casting Refractories, Ladle to Tundish Shrouds, Monoblock Stoppers, Submerged Entry Nozzle/ Submerged Entry Shrouds, Convertor Tap Hole Sleeve, Slide Gate Plates, Nozzles and Well Blocks, Tundish Nozzles, Bottom Purging Refractories and Top Purging Lances, Slag Arresting Darts, Basic Spray Mass for Tundish working lining, Castables, High Alumina Bricks, and Magnesia Carbon Bricks.