Page 520 - Handbook of Thermal Analysis of Construction Materials

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Clay-Based Construction

Products

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The performance of clay-based construction products, e.g., bricks
and roofing tiles, can be monitored using thermal methods. The types of raw
materials, viz., clay and accessory minerals, and their reactions that occur
during the firing process and the durability of clay products can be
examined through the application of DTA, TG, TMA, and dilatometric
methods. This is particularly important for quality control as physical and
chemical behaviors are dependent on the raw material characteristics, e.g.,
composition, particle size, and morphology.
This chapter focuses on the application of thermal methods specific
to raw materials suitable for industrial clay products that are suitable for
brick-making. Details of thermal processes for the following materials are
discussed: singular, binary, and ternary clay-based systems; structural
ceramics; solid waste in clay bricks; significant archaeological clay prod-
ucts; and brick clay products from Central Europe.

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