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Types of brick
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Contents
[hide]
1 Introduction
2 Method of manufacture
2.1 Common burnt clay bricks
2.2 Sand lime bricks
2.3 Engineering bricks
2.4 Concrete bricks

2.5 Fly ash clay bricks
3 Shape
4 Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Introduction
Bricks are small rectangular blocks that can be used to form parts of buildings, typically their walls. Bricks
are most typically made from clay, although they are also commonly made from calcium-silicate and
concrete.
There are many different types of brick and these are categorised in various ways.
For information on bricklaying, see How to lay bricks.
Method of manufacture
Common burnt clay bricks
Soft mud or dry-press bricks are formed by pressing the brick mixture into moulds and then firing them
in a kiln. Soft-mud bricks are made from a thin mix whereas dry-press bricks are made from a thicker mix
that gives crisper definition. Greater strength is achieved by using greater force when pressing the brick
and by firing it for longer, but this increases the cost.
These can be categorised further as:
First class: Table-moulded and burnt in kilns, with smooth and straight surfaces.
Second class: Ground-moulded and burnt in kilns, with rough and irregular surfaces. Often used with
plaster coating.
Third class: Ground-moulded and moulded in kilns. Used for temporary structures.
Fourth class: Over-burnt with irregular shape. Used as aggregate for concrete in foundations, floors, and
so on.
Sand lime bricks
These are manufactured by mixing sand, fly ash and lime. The brick is then formed by moulding the mix
under pressure. This can achieve a smoother finish and a more uniform shape than clay bricks.
Engineering bricks
Engineering bricks are both dense and strong as they are manufactured at very high temperatures. This
also means they have excellent load-bearing capacity, damp-proof and chemical-resistant properties.
These advantages mean they are generally used for civil engineering applications such as groundworks,
sewers, retaining walls, and so on.
Concrete bricks
These are made from solid concrete and can be used above and below damp-proof course level. They
can also be manufactured in different colours if pigment is added during production.
Fly ash clay bricks
This type of brick is manufactured with fly ash, cement, sand and water at about 1,000°C. Due to the
high concentration of calcium oxide in fly ash, it is described as ‘self-cementing’.
Shape
Bricks can also be categorised according to their shape:

Airbrick: Contain holes to allow the circulation of ‘fresh’ outside air beneath suspended floors and within
cavity walls.
Bullnose: Moulded with a rounded angle.
Channel: Moulded to the shape of a channel or gutter and often used as drains.
Coping: Used to cap the tops of parapets or freestanding walls, typically projecting at least 40 mm
beyond both faces of the wall.
Capping: Also used to cap the tops of parapets or freestanding walls, but these sit flush with the vertical
face of the wall.
Cownose: Moulded with a double bullnose on the end.
Curved sector: Curved for use in the construction of pillars, chimneys, columns, and so on.
Hollow: These are around one-third of the weight of ordinary bricks and are often used in partitions.
Perforated: Contain cylindrical holes and are often used in lightweight structures.
Pistol: Has a rebate cut it into the base which creates a small downstand that conceals the support and
mortar joint.
Purpose-made: For specific purposes, such as splay and cant bricks for door and window jambs,
ornamental bricks, and so on.
Brick veneers / brick slips: These are thin bricks that can be used for cladding.
Radial, tapered or arch bricks.
Angle and cant bricks that form returns and chamfers.
Cill bricks.
Plinth bricks.
Soldier bricks, that form returns for soldier courses.
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Civil EngineeringMaterialsBrickComposition of Bricks - Function of Ingredients
Types of Bricks – Detail Classification of Bricks
Monamy Mustaq
Bricks are a regular size rectangular unit. Bricks are made of clay. They are usually used for most of the
building works. Bricks are most generally used as a substitute for stone when the stone is not available.
Brick in construction site
Types of Bricks
Bricks can be of many types depending on –
Quality
Building Process
Manufacturing Method
Raw Material
Using Location
Weather-resisting Capability
Purpose of Using
Shape
Region
Classification of Bricks Based on Quality
On the basis of quality, Bricks are of the following kinds:
First Class Brick: The size is standard. The color of these bricks is uniform yellow or red. It is well burnt,
regular texture, uniform shape. The absorption capacity is less than 10%, crushing strength is,
280kg/cm2 (mean) where it is 245 kg/cm2 (minimum). It doesn’t have efflorescence. It emits a metallic
sound when struck by another similar brick or struck by a hammer. It is hard enough to resist any
fingernail expression on the brick surface if one tries to do with a thumbnail. It is free from pebbles,
gravels or organic matters. It is generally used-
in a building of long durability, say 100 years
for building exposes to a corrosive environment;
for making coarse aggregates of concrete.

Second Class Brick: The size is standard, color is uniform yellow or red. It is well burnt, slightly over burnt
is acceptable. It has a regular shape; efflorescence is not appreciable. The absorption capacity is more
than 10% but less than 15%. Crushing strength is 175kg/cm2(mean) where the minimum is 154 kg/cm2.
It emits a metallic sound when struck by another similar brick or struck by a hammer. It is hard enough
to resist any fingernail expression on the brick surface if one tries to do with a thumbnail. It is used for
the construction of one-storied buildings, temporary shed when intended durability is not more than 15
years.
Third Class Brick: The shape and size are not regular. The color is soft and light red colored. It is under
burnt, slightly over burnt is acceptable. It has extensive efflorescence. The texture is non-uniform. The
absorption capacity is more than 15% but less than 20%. The crushing strength is 140kg/cm2(mean)
where the minimum crushing strength is 105kg/cm2. It emits a dull or blunt sound when struck by
another similar brick or struck by a hammer. It leaves fingernail expression when one tries to do with the
thumbnail.
Classification of Bricks Based on Building Process
On the basis of the building process Bricks are of following kinds:
Unburnt Bricks: These are half burnt bricks. The color is yellow. The strength is low. They are used as
surki in lime terracing. They are used as soiling under RCC footing or basement. Such bricks should not
be exposed to rainwater.
Burnt Bricks: Burnt bricks are made by burning them in the kiln. First class, Second Class, Third Class
bricks are burnt bricks.
Over Burnt or Jhama Brick: It is often known as the vitrified brick as it is fired at high temperature and for
a longer period of time than conventional bricks. As a result, the shape is distorted. The absorption
capacity is high. The strength is higher or equivalent to first class bricks. It is used as lime concrete for the
foundation. It is also used as coarse aggregate in the concrete of slab and beam which will not come in
contact with water.
Classification of Bricks Based on Manufacturing Method
On the basis of manufacturing method bricks are of the following kinds:

Extruded Brick: It is created by forcing clay and water into a steel die, with a very regular shape and size,
then cutting the resulting column into shorter units with wires before firing. It is used in constructions
with limited budgets. It has three or four holes constituting up to 25% volume of the brick.
Molded Brick: It is shaped in molds by hand rather being in the machine. Molded bricks between 50-
65mm are available instantly. Other size and shapes are available in 6-8 weeks after the order.
Dry pressed Brick: It is the traditional types of bricks which are made by compressing clay into molds. It
has a deep frog in one bedding surface and shallow frog in another.
Classification of Bricks Based on Raw Materials
On the basis of raw materials bricks are of the following kinds:
Burnt Clay Brick: It is obtained by pressing the clay in molds and fried and dried in kilns. It is the most
used bricks. It requires plastering when used in construction works.
Fly ash clay Brick: It is manufactured when fly ash and clay are molded in 1000 degree Celsius. It contains
a high volume of calcium oxide in fly ash. That is why usually described as self-cementing. It usually
expands when coming into contact with moisture. It is less porous than clay bricks. It proved a smooth
surface so it doesn’t need plastering.
Concrete Brick: It is made of concrete. It is the least used bricks. It has low compression strength and is
of low quality. These bricks are used above and below the damp proof course. These bricks are used can
be used for facades, fences and internal brickworks because of their sound reductions and heat
resistance qualities. It is also called mortar brick. It can be of different colors if the pigment is added
during manufacturing. It should not be used below ground.
Sand-lime Brick: Sand, fly ash and lime are mixed and molded under pressure. During wet mixing, a
chemical reaction takes place to bond the mixtures. Then they are placed in the molds. The color is
greyish as it offers something of an aesthetic view. It offers a smoother finish and uniform appearance
than the clay bricks. As a result, it also doesn’t require plastering. It is used as a load bearing members as
it is immensely strong.
Firebrick: It is also known as refractory bricks. It is manufactured from a specially designed earth. After
burning, it can withstand very high temperature without affecting its shape, size, and strength. It is used
for the lining of chimney and furnaces where the usual temperature is expected to be very high.
Classification of Bricks Based on Using Location
On the basis of using location bricks are of the following kinds:

Facing Brick: The façade material of any building is known as facing brick. Facings bricks are standard in
size, are stronger than other bricks and also have better durability. The color is red or brown shades to
provide a more aesthetic look to the building. There are many types of facing bricks which use different
techniques and technology. Facing bricks should be weather resistant as they are most generally used on
the exterior wall of buildings.
Backing Brick: These types of brick don’t have any special features. They are just used behind the facing
bricks to provide support.
Classification of Bricks Based on Weather-resisting Capability
On the basis of weather-resisting capability bricks are of following kinds:
Severe Weather Grade: These types of bricks are used in the countries which are covered in snow most
of the time of year. These bricks are resistant to any kind of freeze-thaw actions.
Moderate Weather Grade: These types of bricks are used in tropical countries. They can withstand any
high temperature.
No Weather Grade: These bricks do not have any weather resisting capabilities and used on the inside
walls.
Classification of Bricks Based on Their Using
There are many uses of bricks. On the basis of the purpose of their using bricks are of the following
kinds:
Common Bricks: These bricks are the most common bricks used. They don’t have any special features or
requirements. They have low resistance, low quality, low compressive strength. They are usually used on
the interior walls.
Engineering Bricks: These bricks are known for many reasons. They have high compressive strength and
low absorption capacity. They are very strong and dense. They have good load bearing capacity, damp
proof, and chemical resistance properties. They have a uniform red color. They are classified as Class A,
class B, class C. Class A is the strongest but Class B is most used. They are used for mainly civil
engineering works like sewers, manholes, ground works, retaining walls, damp proof courses, etc.
Classification of Bricks Based on Shape
On the basis of shape bricks are of following kinds:

Bullnose Brick: These bricks are molded into round angles. They are used for rounded quoin.
Airbricks: These bricks contain holes to circulate air. They are used on suspended floors and cavity walls.
Channel Bricks: They are molded into the shape of a gutter or channel. They are used in drains.
Coping Bricks: They can be half round, chamfered, Saddleback, angled varied according to the thickness
of the wall.
Cow Nose Bricks: Bricks having double bullnose known as Cow Nose Bricks.
Capping Bricks: These bricks are used to cap the tops of parapets or freestanding walls.
Brick Veneers: These bricks are thin and used for cladding.
Curved Sector Bricks: These are curved in shape. They are used in arcs, pavements, etc.
Hollow Bricks: These bricks are around one-third of the weight of the normal bricks. They are also called
cellular or cavity bricks. Their thickness is from 20-25mm. These bricks pave the way to quicker
construction as they can be laid quickly compared to the normal bricks. They are used in partitioning.
Paving Bricks: These bricks contain a good amount of iron. Iron vitrifies bricks at low temperature. They
are used in garden park floors, pavements. These bricks withstand the abrasive action of traffic thus
making the floor less slippery.
Perforated Bricks: These bricks contain cylindrical holes. They are very light in weight. Their preparation
method is also easy. They consume less clay than the other bricks. They can be of different shapes like
round, square, rectangular. They are used in the construction of the panels for lightweight, structures,
and multistoried frame structures.
Purpose Made Bricks: For specific purposes, these bricks are made. Splay and can’t bricks are made for
doors and window jambs. Engineering bricks are made for civil engineering constructions such as sewers,
manholes, retaining walls. Fire bricks are made for chimneys and fireworks. Ornamental bricks are made
to use for cornices, corbels. Arch bricks are used in arcs.
Classification of Bricks Based on Region
On the basis of the region bricks are of following kinds:
Cream City Bricks: These bricks are from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
London Stock: These bricks are used in London.
Dutch: These are from the Netherlands.
Nanak Shahi Bricks: These are from India.

Roman: These are used in Roman constructions,
Staffordshire Blue Brick: These are from England.
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Civil EngineeringMaterialsBrickCharacteristics of Good Bricks
Characteristics of Good Bricks
It is always desirable to use the best quality brick in constructions. Therefore, the Characteristics of a
good brick must be investigated. Generally good bricks possesses following properties-
Characteristics of good bricks
Bricks should be uniform in color, size and shape. Standard size of brick should be maintained.
They should be sound and compact.
They should be free from cracks and other flaws such as air bubbles, stone nodules etc. with sharp and
square edges.
Bricks should not absorb more than 1⁄5 of their own weight of water when immersed in water for 24
hours (15% to 20% of dry weight).
The compressive strength of bricks should be in range of 2000 to 5000 psi (15 to 35 MPa).
Salt attack hampers the durability of brick. The presence of excess soluble salts in brick also causes
efflorescence. The percentage of soluble salts (sulphates of calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium)
should not exceed 2.5% in brunt bricks.
Brick should not change in volume when wetted.
Bricks should neither overburnt nor under-brunt.
Generally, the weight per brick should be 6 lbs. and the unit weight should be less than 125 lbs. per cubic
ft.
The thermal conductivity of bricks should be low as it is desirable that the building built with them
should be cool in summer and warm in winter.
Bricks should be sound proof.
Bricks should be non-inflammable and incombustible.
Bricks should be free from lime pitting.
tags: properties of bricks, qualities of bricks, good brick, best bricks, good bricks, brick properties, brick
property, brick qualities, brick quality, properties of bricks in construction, requirements of good brick,
WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES OF GOOD BRICKS?, Qualities of a good brick
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Civil EngineeringMaterialsBrickComposition of Bricks - Function of Ingredients
Composition of Bricks - Function of Ingredients
Tahsina Alam
Bricks are rectangular units of construction material. Bricks are used in masonry construction, walls, and
pavements. It is used as a substitute of stone, where the stone is not readily available. Brick chips are
often used as coarse aggregate in the concrete mix.
Raw-Green-Bricks
Figure: Raw (Green) Bricks
Percentage of Constituents of Brick (Weight Basis)
There are six major ingredients of brick. The general percentage of these ingredients in brick is given
below:
Ingredient
Percentage in brick
Silica (SiO2) 55%
Alumina (Al2O3) 30%
Iron Oxide (Fe2O3) 8%
Magnesia (MgO) 5%
Lime(CaO) 1%
Organic Matter 1%
Chief Ingredients of Brick and Their Functions
Silica (Sand) and Alumina (Clay), these two are the most prominent ingredients in brick clay. When mixed
with water in proper proportions, it gains plasticity. The plastic mass can be easily molded and dried. It
should not go through cracking, shrinkage or warping.
Alumina
Alumina is the main constituent of clay. It acts as a cementing material in raw brick. Brick clay is plastic
due to the presence of alumina. This plasticity ensures that bricks can be molded. An excess amount of
alumina in clay may cause the bricks to shrink, warp or crack on drying and burning as any other
cementing material.
Clay-for-Brick-formation
Figure: Clay for Brick formation
Silica
Good quality bricks contain 50-60% silica. It is present in both free and combined form. As frees sand, it
remains mechanically mixed with clay. In combined form, it reacts with alumina to form aluminosilicates.
Silica prevents raw bricks from cracking, shrinking and warping. The higher the proportion of sand, the
more and shapely and uniform in texture will be the brick. Although, excess silica destroys cohesion
between the brick clay particles and makes brick brittle and weak. The durability of bricks largely
depends upon the proper proportion of silica and alumina.
sand
Figure: Sand
Lime
Bricks should contain a little amount of finely powdered lime. It enables silica (of a required portion) to
melt at the furnace temperature of 1650oC and binds the particles of brick together resulting in strong
and durable bricks. At about 1100o C, lime acts as a catalyst to elevate the furnace temperature to
1650oC at which silica fuses. This slightly fused silica works as a strong cementing material. Excess lime
in brick clay will cause vitrification of bricks. It causes bricks to melt, as more than the required amount
of silica will fuse. The bricks then lose their shape and become disfigured.
powdered-lime
Figure: Powdered Lime
Iron Oxide
Bricks contain a small quantity of Iron Oxide. Iron Oxide acts a flux like lime, thus helps silica to fuse at
low temperature. It imparts a red color to bricks upon burning. Iron also increases the durability and
impermeability of the bricks.
iron-oxide-3
Figure: Iron Oxide powder
Magnesia
A small proportion of magnesium decreases shrinkage and gives a yellow tint to the bricks. An excess
amount of it causes bricks to decay.
Harmful Ingredients of Brick
Lime
Excess lime melts the bricks and disfigures it. If CaCO3 exists (in the purest form, i.e., if it contains at least
95% CaO) in lime-lump in brick clay, it converts into quicklime on burning. When these bricks come in
contact with water, quicklime slakes and expands. And causes disintegration of bricks.
disintegration-of-bricks
Alkalis
Alkalis are mainly salt of Sodium (Na) and Potassium (K). It acts as a flux in the kiln and causes fusion,
warping, and twisting of bricks. Alkalis absorb moisture from the atmosphere and cause dampness &
efflorescence in bricks (because of the presence of hygroscopic salts, e.g., CaCl2, MgCl2, etc.).
Pebbles, Stones & Gravels
Their presence does not allow thorough mixing of earth, thus the bricks produced are weaker. Such
bricks cannot be broken at the desired section and they break very irregularly.
Pebbles-Stones-and-Gravels
Figure: Pebbles, Stones, and Gravels
Iron Pyrites (FeS)
Iron Pyrites causes crystallization & disintegration of bricks while burning. It discolors bricks in the form
of black slag.
Organic Matter
Organic matter in bricks makes bricks porous resulting in low density and weaker bricks.
References
Singh, G, 1996, Building Materials. 3rd ed. Standard Publishers Distributors. Delhi, India.
Aziz, M.A. 1973. A Text Book of Engineering Materials. University Campus. Dhaka, Bangladesh.
What is brick?
Types of Bricks
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Keywords:
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Civil EngineeringMaterialsBrickCharacteristics of Good Bricks
Uses of Brick
Brick plays very important role in the field of civil engineering construction. Bricks are used as an
alternative of stones in construction purpose. Here some main uses of construction brick are given
below.
Construction of walls of any size
Construction of floors
Construction of arches and cornices
Construction of brick retaining wall
Making Khoa (Broken bricks of required size) to use as an aggregate in concrete
Manufacture of surki (powdered bricks) to be used in lime plaster and lime concrete
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Civil EngineeringMaterialsBrickDensity of Brick
Tahsina Alam
Bricks are mainly used in the construction of wall, floor, cornices, and arches. Brick chips are also used as
a substitute for stone chips in the concrete mix where a stone is not available or an economic solution is
preferred. In all the above-mentioned cases, compression load governs. Due to this, the compressive
strength of bricks is a very important parameter.
Specified Compressive Strength
According to BDS 2002
Grade Mean Strength (kg/cm2 ) Minimum Strength (kg/cm2 )
S 280 245
A 175 154
B 140 105
According to Indian Standard (IS 1077:1992)
Classification Average Strength (N/mm2) Average Strength (kg/cm2)

35 35 350
30 30 300
25 25 250
20 20 200
17.5 17.5 175
15 15 150
12.5 12.5 125
10 10 100
7.5 7.5 75
5 5 50
3.5 3.5 35
Compressive Strength Test of Bricks
The determination of Compressive Strength Test of Brick is carried out under the specification of ASTM
C67-03.
Sampling of Brick
Selection of Test Specimen: Full-size representative bricks should be sampled randomly to cover the
whole range color, texture, and sizes from a shipment.
Numbers of Test Specimen: At least 10 bricks should be chosen from each lot of 1000000 bricks or
fraction thereof. For larger lots, five individual bricks should be chosen from each lot of 500000 bricks or
fraction thereof.
Each sample must be marked for identification purposes. Markings must not cover more than 5% of the
superficial area of the sample.
Weight determination
Drying
The test specimens should be dried in a ventilated oven at 230oF to 239oF (110oC to 115oC) for at least
24 hours and until two successive weighting at intervals of 2 hours shows an increment of loss not
greater than 0.2% of the last previously determined weight of the specimen.
Cooling
After drying, the specimens need to be cooled in a drying room. The temperature must be kept 75+15o F
(24+8oC), with a relative humidity between 30 and 70%.
Materials Used
Cement: Quick hardening cement
Sand: Locally available good quality sand
Capping Material: Capping is usually done either using gypsum or Sulphur clay mixture. For the later, a
mixture containing 40 to 60 weight % Sulphur, the remainder being fire clay or other suitable inert
material passing a No.100 sieve with or without plasticizer is used.
Apparatus
Capping Mold: Four 1 inch (25.4 mm) square steel bars on the surface plate to form a rectangular mold
approximately ½ inch (12.7 mm) greater in either inside dimension than the brick specimen used.
Testing Machine
Test Procedure
Preparation of the Sample
Dry half bricks with full height and width of the unit and length equal to one half of the full length of the
unit + 1 inch (25.4 mm). Ends should be plane and parallel.
Capping the Specimen

If the surface which will become the bearing surfaces during the compression test is recessed or
paneled, the depressions have to be filled with a mortar composed of 1 part by weight of quick-
hardening cement and 2 parts by weight of sand. The specimens are to be aged at 48 hours before
capping them. Where the recess exceeds ½ inch (12.7 mm), a brick or tile slab section or metal plate is
used as a core fill.
The capping mold is to be placed.
The Sulphur mixture is to be heated in a thermostatically controlled heating pot to a temperature

sufficient to maintain fluidity for a reasonable period of time after contact with the surface being
capped. Care is required to prevent overheating and the liquid is to be stirred before using.
The mold should be filled to a depth of ¼ inch with molten Sulphur material. The surface is to be placed
in the liquid vertically.
The unit must remain undisturbed for minimum 2 hours until solidification.
Testing the Specimen
Brick specimens are to be tested flatwise. The specimen is to be centered under the spherical upper
bearing within 1/16 inch.
Compressive-Strength-of-a-Brick
Figure: Compressive Strength Test of Brick
The load should be applied up to one half of the expected maximum load, at any convenient rate. Then
the remaining load has to be applied at a uniform rate in 1-2 minutes.
Calculation:
Compressive Strength, C= (W/A)
Where,
W= Calibrated maximum load

A= Average of the gross areas of the upper and lower bearing surfaces of the specimen.
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Keywords Compressive Strength of Brick, Brick, Indian standard compressive strength of brick,
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Civil EngineeringMaterialsBrickDensity of Brick

Density of Brick
Tahsina Alam
Brick density is an important parameter. Density indicates the weight of the brickwork. Cores, Cells, and
Frogs decrease the density and in turn, decrease the material cost.
While fire clay bricks have a density of 2400 kg/m3, for common red bricks it is 1900 kg/m3 . [1]
Apart from material density, brick density can be measured directly. The mass and volume of an oven-
dried brick are measured. The bulk density can be determined by dividing the mass by volume.
\[Bulk\; Density=\frac{Mass}{Volume}\;in \; kg/m^{3}\; or \;lb/ft^{3}\]
References:
1. https://www.simetric.co.uk/si_materials.htm
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Civil EngineeringMaterialsBrickThermal Conductivity of Brick
Tahsina Alam
Thermal conductivity of a material is its ability to conduct heat.
Good Bricks should have low thermal conductivity so that houses keep cool in summer and warm in
winter. Special Insulating Bricks are sometimes required for thermal insulation in structures.
Common red bricks have a thermal conductivity of 0.6 Wm-1K-1 . For insulating bricks, the value is even
lower 0.15 Wm-1K-1. [1]
References:
1. http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Tables/thrcn.html
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Civil EngineeringMaterialsBrickWhat is Refractory or Fire Bricks? Types, Composition
Tahsina Alam
Refractory bricks are also known as firebrick or fire brick.
Refractory bricks or fire bricks are the type of bricks which can withstand high temperature as a
construction material. The color of fire bricks is usually white, or yellowish white, and they weigh about 3
kg each. They must have a high fusion point.
Fire clay is used for making this type of bricks. This clay can resist high temperature without undergoing
any appreciable change in structural properties like melting or softening.
Composition of Fire Clay
Fire clay should contain a higher percentage of ‘non-detrimental’ silica and alumina. They should have a
very small quantity of detrimental lime, magnesia, iron oxide, and alkalis.
Silica: Silica (SiO2) becomes soft at about 2800 ℉ and finally fuses and becomes a glassy substance at
about 3200℉. It melts around 3300℉. This high softening and melting point has established it as the
principal material for the production of refractory bricks.
Alumina: Alumina (Al2O3) has even higher softening and fusion temperature than silica. It melts at about
3800℉. It is, therefore, used in combination with silica.
Lime, Magnesia, Iron oxide and Alkalis: The presence of these detrimental components acts as fluxes to
lower the softening and fusion temperature.
Table 1. Approximate Composition of Fire Clays
Components Percentage
Silica 60-96
Alumina 2-36
Lime, Magnesia, Iron oxide and Alkalis 2-5
Manufacturing Process of Fire Brick
The manufacturing process of fire brick is similar to ordinary bricks. The usual steps are
Digging
Weathering
Tempering
Moulding
Burning
Fire bricks are produced from fire clay. The burnings are carried out in a superior type of kiln under
carefully graduated temperature control. Processes of burning and cooling are kept rather slow.
Types of Fire Bricks
There are mainly three varieties of refractory bricks.

Acid Refractories
Ordinary Fire Bricks
Silica Bricks
Ganister Bricks
Basic Refractories
Magnesite Bricks
Dolomite Bricks
Bauxite Bricks
Neutral Refractories
Chromite Bricks
Carborundum
Chrome Magnesite Bricks
Spinal Bricks
Forsterite Bricks
Brief descriptions of these refractory brick types are given below.
Acid Refractories
i) Ordinary Fire Bricks
- Made of natural fire clay with a mixture of crushed clay and sand
- Contains 50-75% silica and 20-40% alumina with fluxing matter below 10%
- Used as good quality acid refractory lining to furnaces
- Resists upto 1600℃
ii) Silica Bricks

- Contains 95% silica
- Manufactured from sandstones or quartzite with an addition of 2-3% of lime to act as a bind material
and flux
- Suitable for
the acid lining of furnaces for producing glass
for the walls and arches of basic open-hearth steel furnaces
copper melting furnaces
iii) Ganister Bricks
-Ganister Bricks are made from the siliceous variety of ganister rock. This rock containing 85% of silica
and 10% clay with an addition of 2% of lime
- Very hard, compact and rigid at a high temperature of 2100℃
Basic Refractories
i) Magnesite Bricks
- Manufactured from fire clay containing 85% of magnesium oxide,3-5% iron oxide, and the balance lime
and alumina
- Used as the basic lining of furnaces
- Resists upto 1800℃-2100℃
ii) Dolomite Bricks
- Manufactured from the fire clay containing a high percentage of dolomite

- Cheap substitutes for magnesia bricks in furnace lining. Serpentine is used to improve their strength
- Resists temperature upto 1400℃-1600℃
iii) Bauxite Bricks
- Manufactured from fire clay containing 86% Bauxite
Neutral Refractories
They are used to separate the acid and basic linings of a furnace so that they cannot react with each
other. They are not very important as they are not used for fire resisting purpose.
i) Chromite Bricks
- Made from fire clay containing 50% of chrome iron ore, 30% iron oxide (Ferrous oxide) and 20% bauxite
with little silica
- Resists temperature upto 2000℃
ii) Carborundum
- A special type of natural refractory bricks
- Made from fire clay containing a higher percentage of silicon carbide
- Used in electric furnaces
- Resists temperature upto 1900℃
iii) Chrome Magnesite Bricks

They are made from a mixture of chrome and magnesite.
iv) Spinal Bricks
These bricks are manufactured from a mixture of alumina and magnesia taken in equal proportions.
v) Forsterite Bricks
These bricks are manufactured from magnesium silicone oxide mineral ( 2 MgO SiO2)
Laying of fire bricks
Fire clay mortar is used for laying of fire bricks, not lime or cement mortar. Generally, 1.5 to 2 cft of fire
clay mortar is required for laying 100 nos of standard ordinary size fire bricks.
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Civil EngineeringMaterialsBrickProperties of Good Refractory Bricks

Tahsina Alam
To serve the desired purpose the refractory bricks must be good in quality. Followings are the properties
of good refractory bricks.
Refractory bricks must resist stress developed at high temperature in furnace walls and arches.
They must preserve their rigidity at high temperature.
Irreversible volume change should not occur at the furnace temperature. Because shrinkage leads to the
opening of joints and results in a leaky furnace.
They must resist the tendency to crack and split off fragments when exposed to a sudden change of
temperature.
They must not easily form fusible products with slags.
They must not react with furnace gases.
Refractory bricks should weigh about 150 lbs per cubic ft (cft).
They should take a compressive strength of about 20000 to 30000 psi.
They should not absorb more than 6% of water by wt when kept in water for 24 hours.
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Civil EngineeringMaterialsBrickUses of Refractory Bricks (Fire Bricks)
Uses of Refractory Bricks (Fire Bricks)
Fire bricks are used for the construction of
Boilers
Combustion Chambers
Chimney Flues etc.
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Brick wall.jpg Brick laying robot.jpg

2.1 Common burnt clay bricks

2.2 Sand lime bricks

2.3 Engineering bricks

2.4 Concrete bricks

4 Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

For information on bricklaying, see How to lay bricks.

Common burnt clay bricks

These can be categorised further as:

Sand lime bricks

Fly ash clay bricks

Bricks can also be categorised according to their shape:

Bullnose: Moulded with a rounded angle.

Cownose: Moulded with a double bullnose on the end.

Radial, tapered or arch bricks.

Angle and cant bricks that form returns and chamfers.

Soldier bricks, that form returns for soldier courses.

Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

How to lay bricks.

Types of brick bonding.

Which way up should you lay a brick?

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