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salt kiln bricks

updated wed 31 jul 96

 

Nan Rothwell on tue 30 jul 96

----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Does anyone know if it is possible to use soft bricks in a kiln, and do
wood and or salt firings in it?? (soft insulating fire bricks)

RJMOORE

I've fired salt (with propane) for almost twenty years and have tried (and
failed) with a number of different soft-bricks and high-alumina compounds,
incuding fancy shelves and castables. In my experience, some high-alumina
materials resist salting on the surface, but the fumes seem to break down
whatever binds them so they lose structural integrity. My most sucessful
kiln-building material has been high-temperature hardbrick -- like AP Green
Mizzou brick.

The one exception to this rule was the K-23 brick made by Babcock and Wilcox.
That soft brick, (which I fear is no longer available) held up beautifully
for over 80+ firings as door bricks. I don't know if there's an equivalent
softbrick available today but I'd be unwilling to exposei the other
softbrick I've tried to repeated doses of salt. I hope this info helps. If
anyone knows of an equivlant to the old B&W K-23, or of some other softbrick
that holds up well to repeated saltings, I'd love to hear about it!!

Nan Rothwell -- Rothsmith@aol.com