The aim of this work was to characterize clays industrially used for the production of ceramic bricks. The clays were characterized by particle size distribution, Atterberg limits and chemical composition determination, X-ray diffraction and differential thermal and gravimetric analyses. Test specimens were prepared by extrusion and fired at 800, 900 and 1000 ºC. Fired test specimens were characterized in terms of water absorption and mechanical strength. Commercially produced ceramic bricks were also characterized in terms of water absorption and mechanical strength. The results showed that clays had plasticity limits in the range indicated for brick clay industry and are composed by kaolinite, quartz, mica and feldspars, with some samples presenting goethite and silicon-aluminous hydroxide. The suitability to produce ceramic bricks using the studied samples could be determined by the characterization process.
clays; ceramic bricks; red ceramic; characterization
