QUALITIES OF GOOD BRICKS

The qualities of good bricks are as follows:

1. Bricks should have perfect edges, must be adequately burnt, should be uniform red or copper in colour and should be free from cracks.
2. Bricks should have rectangular plane surfaces with parallel sides and sharp right-angled edges. The size of a standard brick is 190 mm × 90 mm × 90 mm.
3. It should be hard enough such that no impression is left when scratched with one’s finger nails.
4. Bricks when struck with each other should produce a ringing sound.
5. Bricks should not break when dropped flat from a height of 1 m.
6. Bricks should be homogeneous and compact throughout, and the brick should not have any voids or grit.
7. Bricks should have a percentage of absorption of water by weight less than 20%.
8. Bricks should not show deposits of salts when immersed in water and dried.
9. Bricks should have less thermal conductivity and must be sound proof.
10. Brick should have a minimum crushing strength of 3.5 N/mm².