Homogenization of brickmaking clays and clay bodies

During the manufacture of structural clay products, especially solid bricks or those having a small perforation volume, an orientation of the clay particles occurs during shaping, which is known as 'laminations'. The damage arising takes the form of bark-like texture or S- or double-S cracks. One of the main causes of such defects can be traced to inadequate mixing of the individual raw material components. The type of mixing discussed here should be understood as mixing in the extremely narrow range generally termed 'homogenization'. Appropriate machines are required to perform the necessary homogenization. This paper aims to interpret data and test results obtained during the development of these machines, with particular reference to a circular screen feeder.