COMPARISON OF FIRING TEMPERATURE ON PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CONSTRUCTION COMMON BRICKS

Abstract

This research aims to study and analyze the characteristics and properties of raw materials used in the production process of common clay bricks from the Small and Micro Enterprise Community clay brick-making groups in San Bun Reung village, Lampang Province. The raw materials used in the study were sourced locally, specifically from the SiKam clay source (RCB-1) and the BunRai clay source (RCB-2). The characteristics and properties of the raw materials were analyzed using laser diffraction particle size measurement, chemical composition by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and mineral composition by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The samples were then fired at temperatures of 800, 900, and 1000°C. The tested properties of the common clay bricks included shrinkage after firing, water absorption, and compressive strength. The experimental results indicated that the properties of the bricks made from the BunRai clay source fired at 900°C (RCB-2) had a shrinkage rate of 13.30%, a water absorption rate of 13.40%, and conformed to the industrial product standards (TIS 77-2545), which state that it should not exceed 25%. The compressive strength was measured at 34.50 MPa. The Small and Micro Enterprise Community clay brick-making groups in San Bun Reung village can utilize the RCB-2 clay in the production process and firing at 900 degrees Celsius, resulting in bricks that meet the standards of industrial products (TIS 77-2545).