Fire Clay in Perth

[alexi82]

Hi Guys

Any ideas where I can find this? Ive rang around the refractories and no luck...potters market are out of it for 4 weeks...

Is builders clay a similar product?

Help!

[cobblerdave]

Re: Fire Clay in Perth

G'day
Builders clay or brickies clay can be used. It gives the mortar its plasticity and makes it easy to work with. WFO do not get to the temps where the refractive properties of fireclay are fired so its not really required.
Regards dave

[alexi82]

Re: Fire Clay in Perth

Cheers. However apparently we can't get it over here in WA. Brickies sand here has 22% clay so they reckon that is enough and don't need it.

is 22% clay content in the sand enough for the homebrew?

[david s]

Re: Fire Clay in Perth

That's a lot so it should be enough. Too much clay leads to shrinkage cracks so probably don't add any more.

[alexi82]

Re: Fire Clay in Perth

interesting. so with that amount of clay, I am thinking 1 part portland, 1 part lime, 3 parts brickies sand...and that should suffice for a home brew mortar. no need to add additional fire clay or use any refractory mortars...?

[wotavidone]

Re: Fire Clay in Perth

If you used 4 parts sand (with about one quarter of it being clay) it would be near enough to 3 parts sand, 1 part clay, would it not?