Fire brick

Fire brick is a heat-resistant ceramic masonry unit used to line furnaces, fireplaces, kilns, and other structures exposed to high temperatures. Its composition and firing allow it to withstand heat better than ordinary building brick.

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Refractory: A material designed to retain strength and resist chemical attack at high temperatures. Fire brick is a common shaped refractory used in masonry linings.
Thermal shock: Damage caused when rapid temperature changes create damaging stress within a material. Sudden heating or cooling can crack fire-brick linings.
Masonry fireplace: A fireplace built from masonry, typically with a firebox and chimney. Fire brick protects the fireplace firebox from direct flame and heat.
Common brick: A fired-clay masonry unit intended for general building construction. Common brick is not designed for prolonged exposure to furnace temperatures.
Fire clay: A clay rich in alumina and silica that can withstand high firing temperatures. Fire clay is a traditional raw material for many fire bricks.
Thermal conductivity: A measure of how readily a material transfers heat. Fire-brick conductivity affects heat loss through a furnace wall.
Pottery kiln: A heated chamber used to fire pottery and other ceramic objects. Kiln walls use refractory brick to contain heat during ceramic firing.
Insulating fire brick: A lightweight, porous refractory brick designed to reduce heat transfer. It trades some strength for insulation compared with dense fire brick.
Chamotte: Granulated fired clay used as an aggregate in refractory ceramics. Chamotte helps limit shrinkage and cracking in fire-brick bodies.
Thermal expansion: The change in a material’s dimensions as its temperature changes. Expansion determines the movement and spacing required in a brick lining.