Difference Between Fly Ash Bricks And Clay Bricks | Fly Ash Bricks Vs Clay Bricks

In this blog article, I will explain all the differences between Fly Ash Bricks and Clay Bricks.

Let’s start!

Difference Between Fly Ash Bricks And Clay Bricks

Criteria	Fly Ash Bricks	Clay Bricks
Raw Material	Fly ash, cement, sand, water	Clay, water
Production Process	Produced using a hydraulic press	Produced by firing clay in a kiln
Strength	High compressive strength	Lower compressive strength
Porosity	Low porosity, less than 10%	High porosity, ranging from 20-25%
Density	Lower density, around 1,000-1,200 kg/m3	Higher density, around 1,900-2,000 kg/m3
Water Absorption	Low water absorption, less than 10%	High water absorption, ranging from 15-20%
Size	Uniform size and shape, with smooth edges	Non-uniform size and shape, with rough edges
Thermal Conductivity	Low thermal conductivity, making it an efficient insulator	High thermal conductivity, making it less efficient as an insulator
Sound Insulation	Good sound insulation properties	Poor sound insulation properties
Fire Resistance	High fire resistance, suitable for high-temperature applications	Lower fire resistance, not suitable for high-temperature applications
Efflorescence	Nil efflorescence, meaning no salt deposits on the surface	May occur efflorescence, resulting in salt deposits on the surface
Curing Time	Less curing time, as little as 7 days	More curing time, typically 21-28 days
Carbon Footprint	Lower carbon footprint, as fly ash is a waste material	Higher carbon footprint, as clay bricks require more energy to produce
Cost	Slightly more expensive than clay bricks	Less expensive than fly ash bricks
Availability of Raw Material	Fly ash is a byproduct of coal combustion and is abundant	Clay is a limited resource
Durability	Long-lasting and durable	Less durable and prone to weathering over time
Environmental Impact	Environmentally friendly, as it uses waste materials and reduces carbon emissions	May harm the environment due to the high energy consumption required during production
Maintenance	Low maintenance, as it is resistant to weathering and erosion	Higher maintenance, as clay bricks are more prone to erosion and weathering
Flexibility	Can be made in various shapes and sizes, suitable for customized projects	Limited flexibility, suitable only for standardized projects
Toxicity	Non-toxic, as it does not contain harmful chemicals	May contain harmful chemicals, such as lead and arsenic, if not produced under proper conditions
Aesthetic Appeal	Modern and sleek appearance, with a smooth surface finish	Traditional and rustic appearance, with a rough surface finish
Surface Finish	Smooth surface finish, suitable for painting and finishing	Rough surface finish, not suitable for painting and finishing
Thermal Stability	High thermal stability, suitable for extreme weather conditions	Lower thermal stability, not suitable for extreme weather conditions
Effort Required for Construction	Easy to handle and construct, reducing labor costs	Difficult to handle and construct, requiring more labor and time
Weight	Lighter in weight, reducing transportation costs	Heavier in weight, increasing transportation costs
Water Resistance	High water resistance, suitable for damp conditions	Lower water resistance, prone to water damage and erosion
Acid Resistance	High acid resistance, suitable for acidic soil conditions	Lower acid resistance, prone to corrosion in acidic soil conditions

What Are Fly Ash Bricks?

These are factory-made bricks by mixing fly ash, cement, sand/stone dust, and water. Fly Ash Bricks are cheaper than clay bricks.

What Are Clay Bricks?

Clay bricks are made of clay, commonly formed into a rectangular shape and burnt in a kiln at an elevated temperature to harden. These bricks are most commonly and broadly used in construction works.

Read More:

• Types of Clay Brick

Fly Ash Bricks Vs Clay Bricks: Key Points To Remember

1. Fly ash bricks are made in molds thus are always of uniform shape. Clay bricks are irregular shapes and sizes as they as hand made.
2. The color of fly ash brick is uniform and charming. But clay bricks are not uniform in color as the color of brick based on soil.
3. Fly ash bricks have a smooth finish therefore plastering is not needed. Normal clay bricks always need plastering.
4. Fly ash bricks are lighter in weight compare to clay bricks.
5. The compressive strength of fly ash brick is around 100 kg/cm2 and the compressive strength of clay brick is approx 35 kg/cm2.
6. Fly ash bricks can absorb more vibration compared to clay bricks.
7. Fly ash bricks are less porous compare to clay bricks.
8. Fly ash bricks are stronger and denser compare to typical clay bricks.
9. Less mortar requirement in fly ash brick construction compares to clay brick construction.
10. Fewer breakages and wastages compare to red clay bricks.
11. The cost of fly ash bricks is approximately 30% lower compared to clay bricks.
12. Fly ash bricks are more eco-friendly as they are made of waste materials that come from the combustion of coal in thermal power plants. But clay bricks are made of clay gathered from fertile land topsoil and chimney needed.

Conclusion

Thus from the above comparison, it is clear that fly ash bricks are better than clay bricks. You can utilize fly ash bricks in any construction without any doubt.