EFFECT OF REDUCING GASES ON THE TRANSVERSE STRENGTH OF FIRECLAY BRICKS1

It was reported that fireclay brick, when heated in the presence of carbon monoxide, were disintegrated by the progressive deposition of finely divided carbon at the “iron spots” in the brick. The conditions necessary for the occurrence of this phenomenon were not definitely known, although the known reversibility of the catalytic reaction around 650°C and the outcome of small scale experiments indicated that disintegration would not occur above this temperature. To obtain more definite information on this score, the effect of city gas at 550°C and 1100°C on the transverse strength of three brands of fireclay brick was determined. No significant changes in strength occurred at 1100°C. At 550°C two of the brands suffered very significant decreases in strength, but the other brand was unaffected, although it had the highest iron content.