What Is Refractory Bricks?
2025-11-27 09:35:15
Refractory bricks are a type of industrial brick material that can be used for extended periods in high-temperature environments without melting, decomposing, or losing structural strength. They are widely used in high-temperature kilns and thermal equipment in industries such as metallurgy, building materials, power, chemicals, cement, and ceramics. As a fundamental product in the refractory material system, refractory bricks not only require excellent refractoriness but also high compressive strength, good thermal shock resistance, strong wear resistance, and high chemical stability. Therefore, they play an irreplaceable and vital role in industrial production.
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I. Basic Definition of Refractory Bricks
Refractory bricks, also known as refractory material bricks, refer to sintered or monolithic ceramic materials with a refractoriness of not less than 1580℃. Their main raw materials are natural minerals, such as high-alumina bauxite, magnesia, silica, clay, and corundum, manufactured through processes such as batching, molding, drying, and firing. Refractory bricks maintain volume stability and structural integrity under high-temperature conditions, without undergoing drastic thermal expansion or contraction, ensuring the long-term stable operation of kilns.
II. Main Classifications of Refractory Bricks
Based on differences in chemical properties, mineral composition, and production processes, refractory bricks can be classified into the following main categories:
1. Silica Refractory Bricks
Mainly composed of quartz, these bricks have high refractoriness, a softening temperature under load exceeding 1640℃, and strong acid resistance. They are commonly used in acidic furnace linings such as coke ovens and glass kilns.

2. High-Alumina Refractory Bricks
Made from high-alumina bauxite containing more than 48% Al₂O₃, these bricks have high refractoriness and high compressive strength. They are widely used in iron and steel smelting, electric furnaces, blast furnaces, and cement rotary kilns.

3. Clay Refractory Bricks
Containing 30%–48% Al₂O₃, these are among the most widely used and cost-effective refractory bricks, mainly used in the walls and flues of general industrial furnaces and kilns.

4. Magnesia Refractory Bricks
Mainly composed of MgO, these bricks exhibit strong alkali resistance but are unsuitable for acidic furnace linings. They are primarily used in the alkaline sections of converters, electric arc furnaces, and glass furnaces.

5. Special Refractory Bricks
Examples include corundum bricks, silicon carbide bricks, zircon sand bricks, and carbon bricks. These are typically used in special operating conditions, such as areas with high wear and corrosion.

If you are interested in refractory bricks, please contact us for specifications and prices.
Email: info@rsrefractories.com
WhatsApp: +8615038278221
III. Main Performance Indicators of Refractory Bricks
1. Refractoriness
This refers to the material's ability to remain unmelted under high temperatures, a crucial indicator for evaluating refractory bricks.
2. Load Softening Temperature
This indicates the temperature at which a refractory brick begins to deform under load and is closely related to its actual service life.
3. Compressive Strength
The compressive strength of a refractory brick at room temperature, affecting its load-bearing performance in kiln structures.
4. Thermal Shock Resistance
This refers to the refractory brick's ability to resist repeated temperature changes without cracking, particularly important for cement kilns and smelting furnaces.
5. Chemical Stability
Refractory bricks must resist various forms of slag erosion, such as acids, alkalis, and molten metal, to ensure the long-term operation of the kiln.
IV. Application Areas of Refractory Bricks
Refractory bricks have extremely wide applications in industrial fields, mainly including:
Metallurgical Industry: Blast furnaces, converters, electric arc furnaces, blast furnaces, tapholes, etc.;
Building Materials Industry: Cement rotary kilns, preheaters, grate coolers, etc.;
Chemical Industry: Cracking furnaces, synthetic ammonia furnaces, sulfuric acid furnaces;
Glass Industry: Glass melting furnace walls, regenerators;
Power Industry: Boiler combustion chambers, flues;
Ceramic Industry and other furnace and kiln equipment.
The selection of refractory bricks usually requires professional design based on the kiln type, temperature range, corrosive media, and workload to ensure the overall stability of the furnace lining.
V. The Role of Refractory Bricks in Industrial Production
Refractory bricks are not only an important component of the kiln structure, but also directly related to equipment safety, product quality, and enterprise energy costs. High-quality refractory bricks can reduce maintenance frequency, improve production efficiency, extend the service life of kilns, and save enterprises a lot of costs.
If you are interested in refractory bricks, please contact us for specifications and prices.
Email: info@rsrefractories.com
WhatsApp: +8615038278221
