PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF RAW MATERIALS FOR THE MANUFACTURING OF BRICK

Brick manufacturing is a traditional activity carried out by the practical knowledge transmitted person to person, why there is no documentation on the raw material and manufacturing process control. The objective of this study was to determine the physicochemical characteristics of the raw material used in the fabrication of the Bricks, as a first instance to be able to make future changes for the quality assurance of the process that allow increasing the resistance to compression of the bricks. A mechanical test about the compressive strength of bricks before and after heat treatment was made. In the analysis of elemental composition, the presence of the following elements was found: C, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, Fe. These elements allowed to obtain a compressive strength of the bricks of 10 to 13kg/cm2 without heat treatment and 20 to 40 kg/cm2 with heat treatment. Morphologically particles of 5 to 300 micrometres were observed in the raw material, and in the Bricks of 15 to 250 micrometres. It is concluded that the great variation of particle size of the raw material leads to a low compressive strength. Other studies with more control in the homogenization of particle size are suggested to obtain greater compression strength. Besides the temperature control in the kiln used to heat treatment is needed. The International Standard ITINTEC 331,017, and the Standard NMX-C-404-1997, establishes 60N / cm2, and 24kg / cm2 as minimum respectively. This study serves as a basis for further studies to help control and ensure the quality of the bricks.