Today, there are many finishing materials on the market that are specially “aged” in order to obtain a distinctive aesthetic effect. Chamotte clay is one of them. It has unique plasticity properties, has a wide range of applications, and is becoming more and more popular all over the world.
Chamotte is a type of clay, a ceramic product, a refractory mixture produced using a special technology. This is a new (appeared in the XIX century), but already quite popular natural material. Products from it in their structure and color resemble an old stone, on which cracks and chips are visible. The surface is beige, rough, pleasant to the touch. Fireclay products fit perfectly into the interior with wooden furniture.
Production technology
The process of making fireclay consists of the following steps:
1. Procurement of raw materials - clay comes in pieces or pressed briquettes.
2. Roasting - takes place in shaft, rotary kilns at a temperature of at least 1200 ° C. The water absorption of fired chamotte is inbetween two and ten percent.
3. Grinding - fired chamotte is ground to a powder form of the required granularity in mills. The average specific surface is 8000 cm/g.
Main tasks of the technological process:
- firing until plasticity is lost;
- removal of water chemical bonds.
Chamotte clay - properties
The popularity of chamotte is related to its properties, these are:
- mechanical strength;
- does not shrink;
- high quality;
- environmental friendliness - natural clean material;
- fire resistance, high heat resistance, heat resistance;
- not afraid of moisture, waterproof;
- frost resistance;
- profitability.
Scope of application
The obtained fireclay clay is used as an additive to building materials, clay. This reduces the plasticity and shrinkage of products during drying and firing. For example, the addition of fireclay makes it possible to make sculptures weighing more than 250 kg. The use of such material helps to convey the era of antiquity, ancient Greek art, Japanese motifs, elements of primitive art. In Europe, chamotte clay is used for cladding facades, fireplaces, and walls. In industry, refractory bricks, various heat-resistant products, and ceramics are produced from such clay.
A number of companies offer collectible fireclay tiles. Its rough side is perfectly smooth, and the chipped effect,scuffs, jagged edges are created only on the visible part. The more pronounced heterogeneity and curvilinearity, the more expensive such a tile is.
Chamotte clay conveys the naturalness of nature, and this is what everyone lacks in the modern world. Therefore, products made from it will always be in demand, even during fashionable renovations and smooth surfaces. Chamotte is rapidly gaining popularity all over the world as a finishing decorative material for architecture. Its properties are time-tested, so we can say with confidence that this is a high-quality and reliable material. Chamotte is the perfect "defect" in ceramics.
