Facing bricks are primarily made from clay extracted from the ground. This clay is then mixed with water and various other additives. This clay mixture is carefully formed into individual brick units, which are subsequently fired at high temperatures within a kiln.
The Facing Brick Production Process
The creation of facing bricks involves a fundamental process based on natural materials and high heat:
- Material Preparation: Clay extracted from the ground forms the base.
- Mixing: The clay is mixed with water and other additives to achieve the correct consistency.
- Forming: The prepared clay mixture is then formed into individual units. This shaping step gives the bricks their characteristic size and form.
- Firing: The formed units are then fired to high temperatures in a kiln. This crucial step hardens the clay and makes the brick durable.
Types of Brick Production Processes
Based on how the individual units are formed, there are distinct methods used in facing brick production. According to the reference, there are 3 types of brick production process:
- Stock (handform): Often results in bricks with unique textures, traditionally shaped by hand or machine assistance mimicking hand-forming.
- Waterstruck: Uses water to release the clay from the mould, creating a distinctive texture.
- Wirecut (extruded): Clay is pushed through a die and then cut into individual brick lengths by wires, resulting in a more uniform shape.
Each of these processes influences the final texture, shape, and appearance of the facing brick, offering different aesthetic choices for construction projects.
