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W5 Bricks - Ceramics

Ceramics, originating from the Greek word for fired earth, are made primarily from clay and exhibit high density and hardness but low tensile strength. Their production involves pressing clay into molds and firing at high temperatures to create durable products, with surface characteristics influenced by molding and firing processes. Bricks, adhering to a strict measurement system, are utilized in various constructions, with recent innovations focusing on larger formats and improved thermal protection, while also being suitable for recycling when properly separated from mortar.

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13 views4 pages

W5 Bricks - Ceramics

Ceramics, originating from the Greek word for fired earth, are made primarily from clay and exhibit high density and hardness but low tensile strength. Their production involves pressing clay into molds and firing at high temperatures to create durable products, with surface characteristics influenced by molding and firing processes. Bricks, adhering to a strict measurement system, are utilized in various constructions, with recent innovations focusing on larger formats and improved thermal protection, while also being suitable for recycling when properly separated from mortar.

Uploaded by

clarawessolowski
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CERAMICS and BRICKS

- Ceramics go back to 4th century BC


- Their name derives from the Greek "keramos"= fired earth
- The basic material is clay -> consists largely of hydrous aluminum
compounds, and has flat foliar structure that

Ceramics have…
HIGH: gross density, hardness, com
pressive strength and abrasion
resistance
LOW: tensile strength (like stone)

Production
- Traditionally, the soft mass is pressed into a mold to create a
"green tile”
- In today's extrusion presses, the mouthpiece or nozzle can be
changed to alter the cross section of the product; the extruded
ribbon is cut to length according to the product size required.
Firing and properties
- does not become water-resistant until it has been fired.
- fuses at a temperature of about 800 °C. From about 1200 C° the
sintering process takes place: the aluminum compounds fuse to
produce a vitreous structure. Cavities are surrounded, and the
capillarity thus reduced to a minimum, giving a frost-proof sintered
product.
- Ceramics lose volume in the firing process (up to 15%)..
- Fired ceramics are subdivided into ordinary and fine ceramics by
grain size and by the degree of porosity.

Surface
- Surface color and texture are produced by the molding and firing
process. An additional possibility is surface coating, where the product
acquires a hard ceramic covering, the engobe (Slip).
- This then determines the hardness, smoothness and color of the
ceramics, and can seal the surface of earthenware, for example.
- Ceramics can also be treated using techniques such as flaming.

- The dimensions of bricks

B are subject to a strict


octametric system.

R - Normal and thin formats,


much used in fair-face

I masonry, have been


replaced by large-format
C bricks or blocks if not
visible, using the same
K system of measurements
so different wall courses
can be matched.
Wall texture

- The texture of brick masonry is determined by the jointing of the


bricks, with stretcher and header courses keying the masonry
together.

- usual joint thickness of


1 cm derives from the
high tolerances
in brick dimensions,
and differences in
shape can be
compensated for by
the joint design.

Solid construction
- Bricks are used in a variety of ways. New developments, with larger
formats and lower weights, have speeded up the building process.
- Low weights and low conductivity are also thermal protection
requirements.
To improve, and to meet raised thermal protection requirements for
facades with single-shell masonry, wood chips or polystyrene are
mixed with the clay.

Recycling
- Bricks, have high primary energy consumption but a high durability.
They are suitable for product recycling if they can be separated from
the joining mortar.
- Ceramic panels & roofing tiles that are used with open joints and
without mortar are ideal for recycling and repairs.

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