Terracotta Tiles and Bricks-Types,Composition and Uses
Terracotta
Terracotta is a refractory clay product used for making Terracotta tiles and Terracotta bricks.There are two types of terracotta poduct,polish and porous terracotta.
The name terracotta orginated from Italian,terra stands for clay and cotta means burnt.The clay used for the manufacture of terracotta tiles should be high quality.Terracotta is a refractory clay product.
The terracotta tiles colour can be change by varying iron oxide content in clay.Terracotta is widely used for making terracotta bricks and terracotta tiles in modern world.Terracotta tiles improves the aesthetic appearance of the building.
Terracotta tiles are impervious, cheap and hard.
Types of terracotta
The main types of terracotta are porous and polish terracotta.
1.Porous terracotta
Porous terracotta is manufactured by mixing clay with finely manufactured fragmented rocks.
Porous terracotta is light weight.
Porous terracotta is fire resistant and they are resistant to weathering action.
This types of terracotta are sound proof
2.Polish terracotta
Another types of terracotta is polish terracotta.In the name itself,polish terracotta is used for improving the aesthetic appearance of the buidling
The polish terracotta is manufactured from refractory clay mixing with quartz sand and chalk.The polish terracotta is also called terracotta twice burnt.The production process of this types of terracotta involves two stages of burning.The first stage is biscutting,is done in 600°C.
After this stage,this product is cooled with glazed solution which imparts texture and colour to polish terracotta.After this,polish terracotta is dried and fired at 1200ºC.
Polish terracotta is hard and strong.They are leak proof and resistant to weathering action.Any colour can be given to them.
What are composition of terracotta?
The terracotta consist of dry clay,Ground glass,crushed pottery and clean white sand.
What are the uses of terracotta?
The terracotta are used for making terracotta tiles and terracotta bricks.These are a refractory clay product.
They are used for making cornics and arches
They are used for ornamental works.
They types of terracotta are used for sound insulation.