12. Ceramic Products

This chapter deals with the group of building and construction materials termed ceramic products. They include a variety of products such as bricks, roof tiles, wall and floor tiles, and sanitary ware. After summarizing the characteristics of the major types of raw materials used in the construction ceramic industry, the complex world of clay and clay minerals is introduced, including the geological environments of formation of these natural materials. Main groups of ceramic products are further described. Definition and types of bricks as well as their manufacturing process are discussed with the incorporation of a heading devoted to refractory bricks. Roof tiles are then considered. Wall and floor tiles are the next group of ceramic products to be summarized. Their definition and types, manufacturing process, and glazes and frits products, which are crucial in the current wall and floor tiles industry, are introduced. The last heading of the chapter is devoted to sanitary wear, of great importance in the present building sector.