A Complete Guide on Insulating Fire Bricks

An insulating fire brick (IFB) is a distinct form of brick produced with fire clay, which holds strong resistance against extreme temperatures, and they are used for kiln, fireplaces, lining furnaces, and fireboxes, etc.

Insulating Fire bricks are manufactured almost the same way normal bricks are produced, the only difference is the duration of the burning stage.

They are shaped refractory products with its application temperature over 800 degrees and its porosity higher than forty- five (45) percent. Fire bricks are exposed to much higher temperatures and are burned for longer periods.

Well, it is also imperative to purchase your insulating fire bricks from a reliable and reputable manufacturer. That way, you can be sure of the quality of the bricks.

Fire clay is usually employed for producing fire bricks, and it is placed in the kiln and fired up until it is semi-vitrified.

Fire clay has two major components which are alumina and silica. The percentage of silica ranges from sixty (60) to seventy (70) percent while alumina on the other hand ranges from twenty-five (25) to thirty-five (35) percent.

Although there are other components of fire clay such as magnesium, potassium, iron, titanium, and oxides of calcium, their total percentage usually doesn’t go beyond five (5) percent.

Features of insulating fire bricks

1. Low thermal conductivity

2. Reduced heat storage

3. Quality insulating properties

4. Powerful thermal shock resistance

5. High level of heat resistance and durability

Types of Insulating Fire Bricks

1. High alumina insulation refractory brick

High alumina insulation fire bricks are majorly used to construct and protect the linings of hot air furnace, blast furnace, reverberatory furnace, rotary kiln, etc. using high thermal stability, high-temperature strength and strong chemical slag erosion resistance.  

2. Lightweight fire clay insulation brick  

This type can be used in melting furnace, regenerative equipment, annealing furnace, soaking pit, gas furnace, and any other industrial hot working equipment with excellent performance.  

However, it can also be used with industrial hot working equipment with bulk density, low thermal conductivity, and low impurity.  

3. Mullite insulation fire brick

Mullite insulation brick is created with small air space like the honeycomb and they have an excellent insulating property.

They can be used in industrial furnace and kilns like for hot face furnace lining or outer back up heat lining insulation with characteristics of resisting high temperature and saving heat energy effectively.  

4. Alumina bubble brick

Alumina bubble brick is a quality refractory material used for resisting high temperatures. It can also be used for service linings when producing high-purity quartz for electronics production.

Uses of Insulating Fire Bricks

· They are used for the inner lining of wood-fired ovens.

· These are used for lining the inner surface of kilns, furnaces, chimneys, etc.

· They can be used to build fire-resistant structures to reduce the damage of such structure by fire accidents.

· They serve as an insulating material for furnaces, ovens because they have lower thermal conductivity.

Take Away

The insulating fire bricks can be used across many manufacturing industries ranging from glass to ceramics, iron and steel, refining, power generation, sulfur recovery, and many others.  

Nevertheless, it is very important to purchase your insulating fire bricks from reputable and quality manufacturing companies, this is how you will get the best from your insulating fire bricks.