Basic methods and key points of brick quality control

Basic methods and key points of brick quality control

Ensuring stable and qualified brick quality is the lifeline for the survival and development of brick factories. Effective quality control does not only rely on final inspection, but should run through every production link from raw materials to finished products.

1. Source control: Keep raw materials and ingredients in check

Raw material acceptance: Conduct a simple visual inspection and sampling comparison for each batch of sand, gravel, fly ash, cement and other main raw materials entering the factory. Make sure the raw materials are clean, free of excessive impurities (such as soil clods, weeds), and stable in nature. For example, the particle gradation of sand and gravel should be roughly uniform.

Precise batching: this is central to determining the strength of the bricks. Weighing and cutting must be carried out strictly in accordance with the verified raw material ratio. Especially for cement or other cementitious materials used as "glue", the proportions must be precise and must not be estimated by feel. Use accurate measurement tools (e.g. floor scales, batching scales) and calibrate them regularly.

Stir evenly: Control the mixing time and the amount of water added to ensure that all raw materials and water are fully mixed and dry and wet evenly. Improper mixing will lead to uneven softness and hardness inside the bricks, which may lead to cracking later on.

2. Process control: pay close attention to molding and maintenance

Stable forming pressure: The forming pressure of the brick making machine must reach the set value and remain stable. If the pressure is insufficient, the bricks will not be dense and have poor strength; if the pressure fluctuates, the quality of the batch will be uneven. The pressure gauge value needs to be checked regularly and recorded.

Check the appearance of the bricks: Check the wet bricks immediately after forming to see if they have complete edges and corners, a smooth surface and no cracks. This is the most intuitive way to find problems such as mold wear and uneven cloth.

Maintenance management in place: The maintenance of bricks (resting and watering) is a critical stage in the development of strength. It is necessary to ensure that the bricks are kept away from the sun and wind, and have sufficient resting time and prescribed watering and moisturizing. Improper maintenance is the main reason for insufficient strength or cracking of bricks in the later period.

3. Finished product inspection: implementation standards and traceability

Regular sampling inspection: In accordance with national standards or industry specifications, brick samples are regularly randomly selected from the finished product pile for dimensional measurement, appearance inspection, and weight weighing. The most important compressive strength test can be sent to a professional institution for testing regularly (such as every week or every batch), or you can prepare your own simple pressure meter for comparison testing.

Establish inspection records: record in detail the source of raw materials, production date, key process parameters (such as pressure, curing conditions) and inspection results of each batch of bricks. Once a quality problem occurs, records can be quickly traced back to the production link where the problem may have occurred, allowing for precise improvements rather than blind guessing.

Set up a quarantine area for unqualified products: clearly delineate the area to store unqualified bricks that exceed the standard size, have an incomplete appearance or have doubtful strength to prevent them from being mixed into qualified products before leaving the factory and affecting credibility.

Summary: All employees participate, prevention first

Quality control is not a matter for the quality inspector alone, but a systematic project that requires the participation of all employees. From feeders, ingredients workers, machine operators to maintenance workers, the operation of each position directly affects the final quality. Managers should clarify the quality standards for each link and strengthen training. Adhere to the concept of "the next process is the customer of the previous process" and solve the problem internally. By grasping the core points of "raw material ratio, molding pressure, maintenance management, and inspection and traceability", we can systematically improve and stabilize the quality of bricks and win a reputation in the market competition.