Technological Principles and Technological Flowchart for the Production of Soft-molded Facing Ceramic Bricks

Soft-molded facing ceramic bricks have recently become increasingly popular in construction. Until recently, this type of brick has been imported. Currently, only a few companies produce it in small quantity in our country using simple manufacturing techniques. This is due to the fact that, for various reasons, this method has not been developed in our country. Consequently, there are no methods for evaluating and selecting raw materials for this method, neither technological recommendations nor production schemes based on manufacturing techniques and the required brick type are developed, and no molding equipment is manufactured. Given the current situation, research in this area is highly relevant. Purpose: To develop a fundamental, variable technological flowchart of soft-molded facing ceramic bricks based on research results and pilot testing. Methodology : Various types of clay, silica clay, and man-made raw materials from southern Russia and also additives are used for improving technological properties of molding compounds. Research findings: A variable technological flowchart is developed for the production of soft-molded facing ceramic bricks using different molding techniques, depending on the desired surface texture, such as crumpled, wrinkled, tuberculate, grooved, wavy, cavernous. Practical implications: The proposed technological flowchart and technological parameters for the production of soft-molded facing ceramic bricks can serve as the basis for their production in Russia, production and selection of national equipment, development of complete production lines, raw material testing methods, and selection of molding compound compositions for this method.