Refractory Bricks

Acid Resistant Brick

Highland acid resistant brick (SiO₂ 65–75%, acid resistance ≥98% in 98% H₂SO₄ at 80°C/48h, water absorption ≤0.5%, CCS ≥30MPa) is engineered for pickling tank linings, concentrated acid storage vessels, chemical plant floor systems, and flue gas desulfurization tower walls.

Also referred to as acid proof brick, acid brick, or chemical resistant brick, this specialized refractory product blocks acid penetration through its dense sintered structure — outperforming standard fire bricks, high-alumina bricks, and fire clay bricks in corrosive environments. ISO 9001:2015 certified. Standard sizes stocked: 150×75×25mm, 230×113×40mm, 230×113×65mm.

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What Is Acid Resistant Brick?

Acid resistant brick is a silica-rich refractory brick manufactured from high-purity quartz sand and feldspar, pressed at 1500 tons and sintered at 1250–1350°C for 48 hours. The resulting dense structure (bulk density 2.3–2.5 g/cm³) creates a near-impermeable barrier against hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and most mineral acids — making it the standard lining material for equipment handling corrosive liquids.

The key difference between acid resistant brick and ordinary refractory brick lies in chemical composition and firing protocol. Standard fire bricks prioritize high-temperature mechanical strength but offer minimal acid protection (fire clay bricks typically achieve ≤80% acid resistance). High-alumina bricks focus on refractoriness above 1500°C but only reach ~85% acid resistance. In contrast, acid proof bricks trade some maximum service temperature for superior acid resistance — maintaining structural integrity in environments where conventional bricks dissolve within months.

Acid Resistant Brick

Acid Resistant Brick vs Fire Brick — Key Differences

Property Acid Resistant Brick Fire Clay Brick High-Alumina Brick
SiO₂ content 65–75% 50–60% 40–50%
Al₂O₃ content 20–30% 30–40% 55–80%
Acid resistance (98% H₂SO₄, 80°C, 48h) ≥98% ≤80% ~85%
Water absorption ≤0.5% 10–15% 8–12%
Max service temperature 1000°C continuous 1300°C 1500°C+
CCS ≥30MPa 25–30MPa 40–60MPa
Primary use Acid lining Furnace lining High-temp zones

For equipment handling acids at ambient to moderate temperatures (up to 1000°C), acid resistant bricks are the correct specification. For high-temperature kilns above 1200°C with acidic atmospheres, a combination lining using acid brick in lower-temperature acid zones and high-alumina brick in upper-temperature zones is recommended.

Types of Acid Proof Brick

Highland supplies three grades of acid resistant bricks to match different operating conditions. Selecting the correct grade depends on acid concentration, temperature range, and mechanical stress.

Standard Acid Proof Brick

SiO₂ 65–75%, acid resistance ≥98%, water absorption ≤0.5%. Designed for ambient-to-moderate temperature acid contact (up to 100°C continuous): pickling tanks, acid storage vessels, chemical flooring, and electroplating baths. This is the most widely specified grade and covers the majority of acid proof brick lining applications.

High-Temperature Acid Resistant Brick

Reinforced formulation with added mullite for thermal shock resistance (≥5 cycles, 600°C water quench). Service range 120–600°C with maintained acid resistance. Used in FGD tower hot gas entry zones, acid vapor ducts, and chemical calcination kiln feed sections where both acid attack and thermal cycling occur simultaneously.

Chemical Resistant Brick (Custom Profile)

High-grade variant (acid resistance ≥99.8%, water absorption ≤0.2%) with custom curved, wedge, or irregular profiles radius-matched to specific equipment geometries. Chemical resistant brick is the industry term for this premium grade — it eliminates wedge-shaped joints in cylindrical tanks and reactor vessels, which are the primary failure point in standard rectangular-brick cylindrical linings. Thickness adjustable from 25mm to 100mm.

Acid Resistant Brick

Key Specifications & Properties

Parameter Standard Grade High Grade
SiO₂ 65–75% 70–78%
Al₂O₃ 20–30% 18–25%
Acid resistance (98% H₂SO₄, 80°C, 48h) ≥98% ≥99.8%
Water absorption ≤0.5% ≤0.2%
Bulk density 2.3–2.5 g/cm³ 2.4–2.6 g/cm³
Cold compressive strength ≥30MPa ≥35MPa
Refractoriness 1650°C 1700°C
Max service temperature 1000°C continuous 1000°C continuous
Thermal shock resistance ≥3 cycles ≥5 cycles
Standard sizes 150×75×25 / 230×113×40 / 230×113×65mm
Lead time 30–40 days (standard) / 40–60 days (custom)

Acid resistance by acid type: ≥98% in H₂SO₄ (98%), ≥97% in HCl (37%), ≥96% in HNO₃ (65%), ≥92% in HF (40%). The reduced resistance to hydrofluoric acid is inherent to silica-based brick — for HF service, carbon-filled acid brick or special formulations are available on request.

Applications by Industry

Steel & Metallurgy

Pickling tank linings (HCl/H₂SO₄), acid washing lines, acidic wastewater treatment ponds. Standard 230×113×65mm brick with sodium silicate mortar. Service life 3–5 years vs 6–8 months for ordinary brick.

Chemical Processing

Concentrated acid storage tanks, reactor vessel linings, acid transport pipe interiors. High-grade chemical resistant brick with ≤0.2% water absorption + anti-permeation membrane underlayer.

Power Generation

FGD tower and duct linings in coal-fired and waste incineration plants. Thermal cycling 50–180°C with dilute H₂SO₄/H₂SO₃ exposure. High-temperature grade with expansion joints at 1.5m intervals.

Glass & Ceramic

Glass etching acid storage, acid leaching tanks, wastewater treatment pools. Curved custom bricks for cylindrical tank walls. HF-resistant formulations available for glass etching lines.

Installation & Mortar Guidance

Proper installation is as critical as brick quality for long-term lining performance. The most common lining failure mode is not brick degradation but acid attack at mortar joints. Key requirements:

  • Mortar selection: Matched sodium silicate acid-resistant mortar for standard applications; potassium silicate mortar for phosphoric acid service. Never use general-purpose refractory mortar.
  • Joint width: ≤2mm for pickling tanks and storage vessels. Wider joints create preferential acid attack paths.
  • Anti-permeation layer: For tank floors handling concentrated acid, apply a membrane underlayer (lead sheet or synthetic liner) beneath the brick lining.
  • Expansion joints: Mandatory at 1.5m intervals in FGD and thermal cycling service. Omitting expansion joints causes thermally-induced joint blow-out.
  • Curing: Minimum 72-hour cure at ambient temperature before acid exposure. Full chemical resistance develops over 7 days.

Acid Resistant Brick (1)

Choosing an Acid Resistant Brick Supplier

Selecting the right acid resistant brick supplier determines not only product quality but also long-term lining performance and technical support quality. Key evaluation criteria:

  • Third-party testing: Every batch should carry ISO 9001:2015 certification with test reports covering acid resistance, CCS, water absorption, and dimensional accuracy. Request actual reports, not declarations.
  • Raw material control: Reputable acid resistant brick suppliers inspect incoming quartz sand and feldspar for impurity content (≤0.5%). Impurities above this threshold directly reduce acid resistance.
  • Custom capability: Curved bricks, special thicknesses (25–100mm), and irregular profiles require mold tooling and press capacity. Confirm the supplier manufactures custom shapes in-house rather than outsourcing.
  • Technical support: The supplier should provide zone-specific specification (which grade for which equipment zone), mortar matching, and installation guidance — not just product shipment.
  • Batch consistency: Request data from at least three prior shipments showing parameter consistency. Inconsistent acid resistance between batches indicates poor process control.

Highland Refractory manufactures acid resistant bricks under ISO 9001:2015 with CE certification, third-party tested per batch, with 30–40 day standard lead time and 40–60 day custom lead time. Test reports accompany every shipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between acid resistant brick and acid proof brick?
These terms are used interchangeably in the industry. Both refer to silica-rich brick (SiO₂ 65–75%) with acid resistance ≥98% tested in 98% sulfuric acid. Some suppliers distinguish "acid proof" as the higher grade (≥99.8% acid resistance, ≤0.2% water absorption), but there is no universal standard for this distinction. Always verify by test report, not terminology.
What is acid resist brick?
"Acid resist brick" is a shorthand used by some engineers and procurement specs to refer to acid resistant brick or acid proof brick. It is the same product category — silica-rich refractory brick designed to resist chemical attack from mineral acids. When you see "acid resist brick" in a specification, request acid resistant brick with ≥98% acid resistance and water absorption ≤0.5%.
What is chemical resistant brick and how does it differ from acid resistant brick?
Chemical resistant brick is a broader term covering brick that resists acids, alkalis, and other corrosive chemicals. Acid resistant brick specifically targets mineral acid resistance. In practice, most chemical resistant brick on the market is silica-based acid resistant brick, and the terms overlap significantly. For alkali service (NaOH, KOH), different brick formulations are required — confirm the specific chemical environment with your supplier.
What acid does acid brick not resist?
Standard silica-based acid brick has reduced resistance to hydrofluoric acid (HF) and hot concentrated phosphoric acid. HF attacks silica directly, dissolving the brick matrix. For HF service, carbon-filled acid brick or special formulations are required. Always confirm the specific acid, concentration, and temperature with your supplier before specification.
How long does acid resistant brick lining last?
With proper installation and matched acid-resistant mortar, acid proof brick lining typically lasts 3–5 years in pickling tank service and 5–8 years in storage tank service. Ordinary fire brick or low-grade acid brick in the same environment fails in 6–8 months. The primary failure mode is joint attack, not brick body degradation — proper mortar selection and joint width control extend lining life significantly.
Can acid resistant bricks be used at high temperature?
Standard grade acid resistant brick is rated for 1000°C continuous service. For applications above 100°C with thermal cycling (FGD towers, acid vapor ducts), the high-temperature reinforced grade with thermal shock resistance ≥5 cycles is recommended. The refractoriness (softening point) of acid brick is 1650°C, but continuous service temperature is lower due to thermal shock considerations.
What sizes are available for acid resistant bricks?
Standard stocked sizes: 150×75×25mm, 230×113×40mm, 230×113×65mm. Custom sizes available with thickness from 25mm to 100mm, including curved bricks radius-matched to tank walls, wedge bricks for arches, and irregular profiles for special equipment. Custom lead time is 40–60 working days from approved drawings.
How are acid proof bricks installed?
Acid proof bricks are installed using matched sodium silicate or potassium silicate acid-resistant mortar at joint width ≤2mm. For concentrated acid tank floors, an anti-permeation membrane underlayer is required. Expansion joints at 1.5m intervals are mandatory in thermal cycling service. Mortar must cure 72 hours minimum before acid exposure.
What is the price range of acid resistant bricks?
Pricing depends on grade (standard vs high), size (standard vs custom), and order quantity. Standard grade acid resistant brick in standard sizes with MOQ 500 pieces is the most economical option. Custom profiles and high-grade chemical resistant brick carry a premium. Contact Highland Refractory with your application details for a quoted price.
Do you provide test reports and certifications?
Yes. Every batch of Highland acid resistant brick ships with ISO 9001:2015 certification and third-party test reports covering acid resistance, cold compressive strength, water absorption, bulk density, and dimensional accuracy. CE and SGS certifications are available on request.

Request Acid Resistant Brick Specification

Submit your application details — acid type, concentration, temperature, and equipment type. We will recommend the correct grade, size, and mortar system within 2 business hours.

Contact Us: info@highlandrefractory.com

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