Fire Clay

Want to build an oven, masonry heater or something else that needs to withstand high heat? Read on.

“All refractory are based on fire clay, what it contains, alumina and silica. In fact all high heat resistant firebricks, mortars, insulation, pottery, ceramics, ceramic blankets or ceramic tiles on the space shuttle are made of fire clay.

Fire clay is a normal mud, simple as that, but a mud with higher Alumina (AL) content. Has usually whiter-lighter color. Whitish to yellowish, pinkish, light brownish. It’s also cheap as mud. Refractory or pottery suppliers sell it, even if it comes in dry powdered form in bags fire clay is still very heavy. You only need one bag per dome if you buy the clay in dry powdered form. Commonly Alumina content of fire clay ranges between 24% – 34% Al and Silica from 50% to 60%.”

Read the full article at Traditional Ovens