Silicate brick: composition, types, properties and application

Silicate brick is a relatively young building material that is in great demand among buyers. It has many differences from ordinary clay bricks, but it is also used in many areas. Let's get acquainted closer with this demanded building material, find out what are its main properties and composition.

Silicate brick is an autoclave building material, which is dominated by quartz sand. Make such a material by dry pressing, after which it is treated with water vapor. Such products have the perfect shape.

Quartz sand (necessarily thoroughly cleaned), air lime and, of course, water are used as raw materials for the manufacture of silicate bricks. Manufacturing technology of this building material provides for 3 main stages:

• preparation of raw material solution;
• pressing brick raw;
• send to autoclave.

Raw solution can be prepared in two ways. Let us consider in more detail each of them.

• Drum method. When it all the components of the solution in a dry state pour in a special drum. There they are mixed until they become homogeneous. Then the resulting composition is treated with steam. In the course of processing, it is moistened, with the gradual slaking of lime.
• Silo method. With this method, all the ingredients are sent to the mixer. There is mixing sand, water and lime. After that, the moistened mixture is sent to silos, where it is infused for 10 hours.

The next step is pressing raw. Special forms for the press are poured with raw material solution and sent to a special device. The pressing process is carried out under high pressure conditions.After this treatment, the compaction of the raw material takes place, almost all air is removed from its composition. The intervals between individual grains of sand become minimal.

This is followed by drying under autoclave conditions. Already prepared parts are sent to the equipment, where the direct steaming of raw bricks under high pressure takes place. This process usually takes no more than 10-14 hours. During this time, the raw hardens to the end and becomes as strong as possible.

At the end of all processes, the temperature of steam in the autoclave gradually decreases. If this happens quickly, the product may crack / crack, it can no longer be used.

Silicate brick is a popular building material with many positive qualities. The product made according to state standard specification has such important characteristics:

• decent level of strength;
• high density;
• water absorption;
• resistance to low temperatures;
• thermal conductivity;
• sound absorption.

The strength characteristics of a modern silicate brick directly depend on itsmarkings. Based on the provisions of GOST, there are several different series of silicate blocks (M75-M300). The numbers in this case indicate the maximum load per 1 square. see. The larger the figure, the stronger the building material.

As for the density of silicate brick, it mainly depends on the specific type and brand of the model. For example, the density level of corpulent bricks can range from 1600 to 1900 kg / m. cc If we are talking about hollow "brothers", then here the density will vary from 1000 to 1450 kg / m. cc The strength properties of silicate bricks are influenced by the moisture conductivity of the building material. So, when saturated with moisture, this parameter is usually reduced.

Water absorption is another important characteristic of silicate brick. The coefficient of this parameter depends on several factors, such as:

• the structure of the material;
• percentage of porosity;
• moisture level during the formation of raw.

The coefficient of moisture absorption is put in the appropriate GOST. In accordance with this documentation, the level of water absorption of silicate bricks can be from 6 to 16%.

Frost resistance is a technical characteristic of silicate brick. It indicates how many cycles of freezing and defrosting are able to withstand this building material. Resistance to frost products is indicated by the letter F, and digital values ​​are represented by numbers from 15 to 100.

The thermal conductivity of these products depends on the distinctive features of their design. In this case, the main role is played by the brick structure - solid or hollow.

Silicate brick on a par with other building materials has both advantages and disadvantages. First, let's look at the list of silicate pluses.

• This material boasts excellent strength characteristics. It is very difficult to damage or destroy.
• The silicate brick is ecologically safe. It does not harm either man or the environment.In its composition there are no hazardous and toxic components that can cause serious damage to the health of those who are in contact with it.
• Silicate brick is also good because it is compatible with almost any masonry mortar. It can be both standard cement-sand compositions, and special glue based on polymeric materials. Look for a specialized composition is not necessary.
• This building material boasts an aesthetic appearance. From it are obtained neat buildings, permanently preserving the visual appeal.

• Silicate brick can easily withstand temperatures up to 600 degrees. Moreover, he is not afraid of fire (does not burn, does not support burning).
• This material is not afraid of low temperatures and frost. Under the influence of these factors, silicate is not destroyed and is not covered with cracks.
• Buildings of silicate bricks can boast quite good sound insulation qualities. They almost do not hear street sounds.
• This building material is characterized by good vapor permeability. Due to this quality, a comfortable microclimate always takes place in silicate dwellings.
• A characteristic feature of silicate brick is an ideal geometry. That is why it is very convenient to work with him, and as a result, neat and aesthetic structures are obtained.
• This building material is inexpensive.

And now let us see what is wrong with the silicate brick.

It is characterized by high thermal conductivity.

• He has an impressive weight, so working with him alone can be quite difficult. And in the transportation of silicate is not particularly economical.
• This material is distinguished by high water absorption. Over time, this can lead to the destruction of bricks.
• Silicate brick has a small size, so for the manufacture of a building it takes quite a lot, which does not always work economically. At the same time a large number of small blocks takes a significant amount of solution.
• Silicate does not like exposure to too high temperatures (especially regular).
• Silicate brick does not have smooth forms and decorative additions.

Many buyers are confident that ceramic and silicate bricks are absolutely the same and do not have significant differences from each other.In fact, these materials are different. Let's make a comparison between these two types of bricks.

• The difference between silicate and ceramic materials is that the second is not afraid of the action of high temperatures, and the first under their influence begins to crack. Silicate does not last long if constantly exposed to fire or flue gases.
• If there are voids in silicate, they are always in the form of a cylinder. These parts are located in the very center of the unit. In the case of ceramics, these elements are much larger, they can be of any shape, and are evenly spaced along the entire length of the block.

• Silicate brick is much more massive than ceramic.
• According to the level of frost resistance, fire resistance and water resistance, silicate is inferior to ceramics.
• The difference between these products lies in strength. Silicate bricks are considered to be the most reliable and sturdy, unlike ceramic ones.
• Silicate is cheaper than ceramics.

There are several subspecies of silicate brick. Each of them has its own characteristics.

The silicate brick content may contain a combination of different raw materials. On this basis, several subspecies of this building material are distinguished.

• Lime sandy. The most popular silicate brick subtype used most often. 7-10% of lime and 90-93% of quartz sand are present in its composition.
• Ash-lime. This product contains 75-80% ash, as well as 20-25% lime.
• Lime-slag. This building material is produced by combining porous slag and lime.

Also distinguish bricks:

• corpulent;
• hollow

On the basis of direct use, silicate bricks are divided into the following types:

• ordinary - such products at the end of all work are completely closed with the help of finishing material;
• front (or facing) - such building materials are bought for facing various structures.

In addition, silicate bricks produce:

• unpainted (these are white, light gray products);
• colored (such options are made with the introduction of the pigment ingredient).

Modern bricks have the following length parameters, thickness and width:

• 250x120x65 mm;
• 250x120x88 mm;
• 250x120x38 mm.

As for weight, it can be different:

• simple single variants usually weigh from 3.2 to 3.7 kg;
• thick single-and-a-half bricks weigh from 3.7 to 5 kg;
• double bricks differ in weight of 5.4 kg.

Before you go to the store for silicate bricks, you must correctly calculate how much of this building material will be in 1 cu. m. masonry. Based on the calculations, it will be possible to find out how many pieces of blocks should be in each pack or pallet, what length, width and height they should have. Experts advise buying such materials with a small margin.

Different subspecies of silicate bricks have not only different dimensions, but also a label indicating their characteristics.

• Marking "M" with numbers from 25 to 300 indicates the level of strength of building materials (the higher the number, the stronger the brick).
• The designation “F” with digital symbols is intended to pay attention to the level of frost resistance of building materials.

The silicate brick can have the most different color. So, in order to give this building material a classic white hue, they add to the raw material a special dye. Other pigments can also be used, as a result of which colored bricks are obtained, for example, red or yellow.Often, during the addition of the pigment components, special modifying ingredients are sent to the compositions, making the silicate more frost-resistant and stronger.

Silicate brick is a very demanded material. It is permissible to apply both in low-rise and high-rise construction. In this case, means the construction of external and internal walls, partitions, ventilation channels of residential and industrial buildings. Garages, garden houses and even fences are also built from such bricks. As for the preparation of a high-quality building base, here it is better to turn to ceramic, rather than silicate building material.

Always pay attention to the surface of the silicate brick before letting it go. If on usual products there may be small chips or minor irregularities, then on silicate copies of those should not be in any case.

Dimensions of bricks must be accurately and correctly selected. Here deviations are not allowed.

When looking for a suitable brick, it is important to pay attention to its marking. The building material should be as close as possible to the upcoming work.Otherwise, it may be subject to rapid destruction under the action of too large loads for it.

If you plan to build the walls of the house, then you should not buy bricks marked M75. Such products are permissible to use only in the construction of single-storey buildings. If we are talking about the design of walls and internal partitions, then it is allowed to use a brick brand M100, and sometimes M75.

Before building a house of silicate, it is important to calculate the foundation, which seamlessly withstands the substantial load from the construction of an impressive weight. Also dwelling from silicate brick is required to warm with materials suitable for this. You should not neglect this process, otherwise the house will be cold and completely uncomfortable.

In rural areas, silicate bricks are often referred to as an alternative to refractory products. In most cases, fire supervision cannot detect this. But do not use silicate in the manufacture of objects such as stoves. It is better to turn to more suitable materials for this.

If you need to build a base, then the use of silica brick should be abandoned.Such structures are usually made of ceramic materials.

Do not look for too cheap stuff. Too low and attractive price may be a sign of dubious quality products. In pursuit of cheapness, you risk being left with unreliable and short-lived blocks.

Note that silicate is not friendly with groundwater. Upon contact with them, the building material may begin to deteriorate rapidly. This is due to the fact that in the groundwater there are often acids that negatively affect the binder component of bricks.

All you need to know about silicate brick - see in the video.