CALCIUM SILICATE BRICKS

Calcium Silicate Bricks also referred to as Lime-Silica Bricks are a mix of sand and lime. These are mixed together with water and pressed by a 500 ton press to the desired size and shape. The bricks are then transferred to an autoclave where they are high pressure steamed for more than 12 hours, using landfill bio gas to produce the steam needed. This causes the lime to combine with the sand to form Calcium Silicate. White in colour and extremely hard our Calcium Silicate Bricks are between 10-18 MPa, this is above Australian standards for house bricks. Furthermore carbon dioxide from the atmosphere acts slowly on the bricks improving their strength and hardness over the years.

Specs:

300mm x 162mm x 90mm

Specs:

300mm x 76mm x 90mm

Due to its excellent insulating properties, Calcium Silicate bricks ensure a reduction in both internal heat and humidity levels in hotter months. In the colder months Calcium Silicate bricks reduce heat loss to the atmosphere. Being dense, Calcium Silicate is a genuine noise insulation material. Tests conducted at Curtin University (WA) show a sound reduction of 50% or greater when tested in accordance with Australian Standard AS 1191-1985 (measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission).

Calcium Silicate Bricks sustained a fire resistant period of 90 minutes, when tested in accordance with Australian Standard 3700-1988 (section 7. Design For Fire Resistance). This is an excellent analysis. Calcium Silicate bricks can be subjected to heavy loads and meet the requirement of Australian Standard 1653-1985 for compressive strength analysis.

Calcium Silicate bricks are accurate in size, ensuring ease of placement resulting in a reduction in workload for the bricklayer. Offering durability, strength and performance, at a cost lower than similar building materials. Since 1983 in excess of 10,000 houses in WA have been built using Calcium Silicate bricks.

ADVANTAGES
1. Low cost, accuracy and uniformity of shape which makes laying and bonding easy.
2. Smooth surface and light colour makes them suitable for internal walls without plaster i.e.; factory units, sheds etc.
3. Invariably free from efflorescence.
4. Unaffected by repeated freezing or thawing.
5. Resistance to fire and the transfer of heat and sound is similar to that of clay bricks.
6. Its manufacture uses reusable energy and biogas.
7. No harmful residues or emissions are produced.

MIXING OF MORTAR
The final strength of the mortar mix should not exceed that of the bricks used. If the mix has too much cement vertical cracking may occur. As a guide a 4:1:1 ratio is sufficient. That comprises of 4 brickies sand 1 Part cement and 1 hydrated lime. As you travel nearer the coast, your lime content needs to decrease.

For the home handyperson 9 shovels of sand to half a bag of cement/ lime mix will suffice. By mixing dry first then adding water to a tooth paste consistency usually done in a wheelbarrow. As a guide it should lay you about 50 multilock bricks. The locking system of the multilock means a cost saving in terms of less mortar use on the perp ends, although the first and last course of bricks should have the perpendiculars cemented.

FINISHES
When rendering, always moisten walls before application. Whist rendering is a preferred finish to your brickwork project; there are other methods to use like bagging, or jointing and painting. Bagging as the name implies is just a case of firstly damping the wall, then making a wetter mixture than normal and applying to the wall with a sponge adding a swirl like action to your desired effect.

When rendering the same ratio for laying the bricks will do an excellent job, and you may like to use cream coloured cement for a brighter look.

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