Refractory bricks find application in diverse industrial settings and, as such, need to be sourced based on their characteristic properties. While some of them may be apt for use in high temperatures, others may be perfect for highly abrasive environments. There are several manufacturers in India who manufacture these materials in different capacities. As such, it becomes quite difficult to find the right manufacturer and the right quality of products that would be appropriate for a particular environment. The following points present an overview of different kinds of bricks, their properties and application.
The Key Characteristics of Refractory Bricks
Refractory bricks have unique properties that make them suitable for installation in different harsh environments. These properties are as follows:
Temperature Resistance: These bricks are used in high-temperature environments because of their varying heat-tolerating capacities. While fireclay bricks are suitable for environments with moderate temperatures, those with high alumina or magnesia content are suitable for very high temperatures.
Chemical resistance: Refractory bricks are also used in environments that are exposed to harsh chemicals. While procuring refractory bricks for such environments, it is also extremely important to understand the chemicals to which they will be exposed. Whether it is an acidic environment or an alkaline one, the bricks have to be resistant to corrosion to maintain their structural integrity.
Thermal conductivity: Refractory bricks are also chosen based on their ability to conduct and dissipate heat. While in places like furnaces where heat retention is required bricks with low thermal conductivity are used, in environments where fast cooling is desirable, bricks with high thermal conductivity are required as they dissipate heat faster.
Mechanical Strength: Refractory bricks also need to have great mechanical strength as often have to withstand high pressure and abrasion. They need to be resistant to breakage during installation and quick wear and tear when in use.
Fire brick manufacturers in India make these refractory materials in different sizes and shapes. Along with the standard shapes and sizes, they can also be fabricated into straight, curved and interlocking designs based on the specific needs of the buyers.
After developing a clear understanding of the different types of refractory bricks, people can start searching for the manufacturer to source the products. They can continue their search in the following ways:
- The directory published by the All India Refractory Manufacturer’s Association can be a good resource to find potential suppliers of refractory materials and bricks.
- People can also look for refractory product manufacturers online, as there are several reputed websites that provide such B2B listings.
- Industry-specific trade shows can also help find the best refractory product manufacturers.
On shortlisting a few suppliers, people can start evaluating the services based on a few parameters like the following:
The manufacturer’s available product range: Only once the buyer knows that a particular manufacturer makes the specific products that they need, they can start the negotiations to procure the products.
The Technical Expertise of the manufacturer: A manufacturer that has a team of expert technicians and a strong R&D team can always be trusted for the best quality products.
The Quality Certifications: While looking for a supplier to source the products from, it is also important to make sure that they have quality certifications like the ISO 9001, which is ideally awarded to organizations that adhere to strict quality management standards.
The cost structure: While evaluating a company, it is also extremely important to evaluate the price structure very carefully. Not only should people consider the unit cost, they should also consider other overhead costs like transportation charges when evaluating the price structures. While evaluating the cost, buyers should also factor in the replacement cost as replacements can turn out to be quite expensive in the long run.
The Performance of the Products: Even if a particular manufacturer meets all the criteria in terms of cost and organisational structure, it is important to evaluate the performance of its refractory bricks. The bricks should be highly resistant to various harsh environments and also be highly energy efficient.
Customer Reviews: Customer reviews, both positive and negative, should be taken very seriously when evaluating and finalising the manufacturer of refractory products. People can also try to get feedback related to a particular company from other businesses in the same domain.
Besides evaluating a manufacturer based on the above mentioned parameters, people should also insist on compatibility testing before buying the products. Most reputed fire brick manufacturers in India are well equipped to offer laboratory testing services which help in determining the product’s suitability for a particular environment.
Therefore, people can always find the best refractory brick manufacturers in India by carefully evaluating and understanding their organisation’s needs and the supplier’s USPs.