Properties Of Good Refractory Bricks Or Fire Bricks - Are Recommended In The Furnace

By Author: Apurva Jain
Total Articles: 1
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When it comes to furnaces, fireboxes, and kilns, blocks made up of refractory ceramic materials are used. These blocks are known as fire bricks or alternatively refractory bricks. And they are primarily utilized because they are resistant to high temperatures and have a low thermal conductivity, resulting in greater efficiency. These bricks can easily withstand extremely high temperatures and that without any melting or fusion, which results in them keeping their structure for a longer period of time.

But before one goes and discusses the properties of good refractory bricks, it is vital that they understand different types of refractory bricks present in the market. And while their ultimate purpose is the same, their application varies.

Fire bricks or refractory bricks can be distinguished into three categories: basic refractory bricks, acid fire bricks or acid resistant bricks, and neutral refractory bricks.

Basic Refractory bricks containing a huge amount of magnesia are favored because of their corrosion and chemical resistance properties. ...
... Whereas Acid Resistant bricks, as the name suggests, are acid proof bricks and are utilized to resist acidic reactions from chemicals and even from the weather. An acid resistant bricks lining of silica is added on natural fire clay to increase the resistance of refractory bricks.

Neutral refractory bricks contain the properties of both acid fire bricks and basic refractory bricks; they offer good resistance against the acidic nature of chemicals, environment, as well as against corrosion, but they are not utilized for fire-resistance purposes.

Now we come to the properties of good refractory bricks or fire bricks, which are recommended in the furnaces.

• Able to handle high temperatures

Naturally, the first task of good refractory bricks is to be able to handle extremely high temperatures of the furnaces. Some fire bricks can handle up to 1600 degrees of high temperature.

• Must be able to conserve their rigidity at such high temperatures

Another essential aspect of fire bricks is maintaining their rigidity at extreme temperatures as it is crucial to maintain the structural integrity of the brick to maintain the structure.

• No irreversible change in the volume at the furnace

In a good refractory brick, irreversible volume fluctuation does not happen. Any leakage will lead to the opening of junctions in a leaky furnace, which is simply not good news. So, another crucial property of good refractory bricks is their ability to avoid irreversible volume fluctuations at furnace temperatures.

• Do not split or crack.

A key feature of refractory brick or fire bricks is when exposed to high temperature or even rapid fluctuation in temperature, it would crack or split off fragments. It is a vital property as it is usual for refractory bricks of fire bricks in furnaces to get exposed to a rapid change of temperature.

• Do not react to furnace gases.

A good refractory brick does not react to furnace gases, no matter what they may be. Such a reaction could easily cause a structural change to occur in the refractory bricks, which would only spell disaster. That is why a good refractory brick does not react to furnace gases.

• Only consume a limited amount of water.

An indicative property of a good refractory brick is that it does not consume more than 6 percent of the water of their weight if left exposed to water for a period of 24 hours.

• A compressive strength on the upwards of 20000 psi

Good refractory bricks have a compressive strength in the range of 20000 psi to 30000 psi.

• Not form fusible commodities with slags.

Good refractory bricks do not form fusible commodities with slags, or at least they do not do that easily.

Refmon Industries is the largest refractories manufacturing industry in Alwar, India. We are a well-established Refractory & Insulation manufacturing company since 2015. We are a leader in Refractory Bricks, Lining, Tiles, Cement for Indian Cement Industry. Refmon enjoys over 25% market share in refractory bricks and provides a full line of services including refractory design and layout, refractory application, and maintenance for greenfield projects.