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used firebrick identification

updated sat 27 jun 98

 

Bill Downs on fri 26 jun 98

Well I've been grinding mortar off of used fire brick for almost forever, but
I'm getting close to the end less than a thousand to go.I've made afew
observations and I'd like to have them verified if possible. To start with are
the densest bricks the highest duty bricks? In the bunch I'm working these
are AZTEX and MEX R CO AZTEX anybody familiar? Other bricks have brands of MO
REX, JAY FINE,CARNIGIE,CAR D, YUKON,MO FLINT, PREMIER,and MEX MO REX etc.
Identifing any of these brands would be a great help to me. All came from a
local sugar mill boiler that was scraped along with the sugar industry here on
the BIG ISLAND HAWAII.Some of these could be as new as ten years (YUKON) or as
old as a hundred years (CARNEGIE or PREMIER).Advice on mortar mixes for a wood
fired kiln would also be appreciated, I'm considering Kyanite as part or all
of the grog. Is this a good idea?Roof is next then kiln building can begin!
Thanx.... a dusty Bill Downs