Raw Materials

The production of bricks relies on the availability of raw materials, fuel, labour and transport; and the availability of these raw materials depends on the local geology of the country. The raw material for brick making is traditionally called clay or brick earth.Clay which is relatively pure produces a bright red brick, though this is also dependent on the firing. Clay with a relatively high proportion of iron oxide produces a deep blue brick and again is dependent on the firing process.

(Brick Building in Britain: R.W. Brunskill)

The Brick Making Process

Throughout the process of making bricks there are traditionally four main stages:

1. Finding and preparing the raw materials.

2. Moulding the green bricks.

3. Drying the bricks.

4. Firing the bricks.

The finished brick may be classified by the manufacturing method used:

1. Hand-Moulded (clamp or kin burned)

2. Machine-Made, simulated hand-made (kiln burned)

3. Machine-Made, extruded, wire-cuts (kiln burned)

4. Machine-Made, pressed bricks (kiln burned)

(Brick Work- History, Technology and Practice: Gerard Lynch)

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