Damage to fireclay bricks when heated. The opinion of the stove-makers

Fireclay bricks are suitable for laying stoves, barbecues, chimneys, fireplaces, etc.

there is 4 types: alumina, basic, quartz and carbonaceous. The most popular first option.

You should know how to choose the right bricks. The porosity of especially strong materials is less than 3%, and the ultra-lightweight material has a porosity of up to 85%. The less the material weighs, the lower the heat capacity and the higher the thermal conductivity. There are bricks of different shapes in stores. There are even trapezoidal or wedge-shaped ones. There are also differences in technology.

Pick a brick by sound. If you knock on it, then there should be a special metallic sound. If deaf, then perhaps inside the crack. Externally, the bricks should be free of cracks and have a uniform color.

Refractory Brick Emissions

Some stove-makers assure that fireclay bricks, when heated, release harmful substances (heavy metals) and must be covered with tiles or other facing.

One familiar stove-maker said that waste bricks are better suited for laying out the stove. Allegedly, everything harmful in it burned out and evaporated.

To find out the truth, you need to know what elements the material consists of.

What is fireclay brick

Refractory material with a special degree of strength. Its main element is chamotte (refractory clay). Withstands up to 1800 gr. and at the same time has good frost resistance. With temperature drops, cracks do not appear.

Minuses: higher cost and insufficient moisture resistance.

The fire-resistant material is characterized by a sandy color with large inclusions. They are made from refractory clays with the use of additives. For instance, aluminium oxide, which gives the material the very same strength, porosity.

Others supplements reduce the fat content of clay. During the manufacture, sand, graphite powder, coal, slag or other additives are added. There are also burnout supplements: coke breeze, anthracite. There is nothing harmful in the components listed above.

Output: no harm from such a brick occurs when heated. The rumor about its harmful secretions probably comes from the production itself. It does not serve as an example for those who protect the environment.