Freeze-thaw damage in bricks occurs when absorbed water expands by 9% during freezing, creating internal pressures that can exceed 2,000 psi. Traditional clay bricks experience between 50 and 150 freeze-thaw cycles annually in temperate climates, with failure rates increasing dramatically when internal moisture content surpasses 6% by volume.

The fundamental challenge lies in developing brick structures that can accommodate ice crystal formation while maintaining both compressive strength and aesthetic qualities.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including gas-entrained structures with corrugated reinforcement, ceramic glazes with natural antifreeze properties, and multi-layered designs with specialized crack prevention layers. These and other approaches focus on practical manufacturing techniques that can be implemented at scale while meeting building code requirements for structural integrity and durability.

1. Gas-Entrained Brick with Corrugated Structure and Reinforced Through Holes

Diqing Yuhan New Material Development Co., Ltd., DIQING YUHAN NEW MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT CO LTD, 2023

A gas-entrained brick for preventing low-temperature cracking in masonry applications. The brick comprises an upper brick and a lower brick, with a wavy corrugated structure between them. The upper and lower bricks have internal surface grooves, and the corrugated structure features reinforced through holes. The brick body is filled with gas-entrained material, which provides additional strength and durability. The gas-entrained material is dispersed throughout the brick structure, enhancing its resistance to thermal stress and cracking.

CN218479394U-patent-drawing

2. Ceramic Mass Composition with Silicate Additives for Enhanced Frost Resistance

SHCHEPOCHINA YULYA ALEKSEEVNA, SHCHEPOCHKINA YULIYA ALEKSEEVNA, Shchepochkina Yuliya Alekseevna, 2018

A ceramic mass composition for brick production that enhances frost resistance through the addition of specific silicates. The composition, comprising a base of ceramic mass, a high concentration of pegmatite, and a controlled amount of calcium phosphate, provides improved thermal insulation and durability against frost damage.

3. Soft Porcelain Facing Brick with Polymer Matrix for Enhanced Thermal Shock Resistance

HUBEI WANQI NEW MATERIALS CO LTD, Hubei Wanqi New Materials Co., Ltd., 2018

A heat-resistant anti-freeze soft porcelain facing brick that prevents cracking and peeling of the composite material under extreme temperature conditions. The brick incorporates a specialized polymer matrix that enhances the thermal shock resistance of the soft porcelain, while maintaining its flexibility and aesthetic properties. This proprietary combination enables the brick to withstand the thermal stresses associated with freezing temperatures without compromising its structural integrity.

CN207568111U-patent-drawing

4. Ceramic Mass Compositions with Refractory and Quartzite Components for Brick Production

ЩЕПОЧКИНА ЮЛИЯ АЛЕКСЕЕВНА, SHCHEPOCHKINA YULIYA ALEKSEEVNA, SHCHEPOCHINA YULYA ALEKSEEVNA, 2018

Ceramic mass compositions for brick production that enhance frost resistance. The compositions contain a refractory ceramic component with a specific refractory 20-30% and quartzite component with a specific quartzite 70-80%.

RU2648130C1-patent-drawing

5. Ceramic Wall Material Incorporating Microsilica with Specific Surface Area and Thermal Expansion Properties

FEDERALNOE GOSUDARSTVENNOE AVTONOMNOE OBRAZOVATELNOE UCHREZHDENIE VYSSHEGO OBRAZOVANIYA SAMARSKIJ GOSUDARSTVENNYJ AEROKOSMICHESKIJ UNIVERSITET IMENI AKADEMIKA SP KOROLEVA, ФЕДЕРАЛЬНОЕ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОЕ АВТОНОМНОЕ ОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬНОЕ УЧРЕЖДЕНИЕ ВЫСШЕГО ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ САМАРСКИЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ АЭРОКОСМИЧЕСКИЙ УНИВЕРСИТЕТ ИМЕНИ АКАДЕМИКА С.П КОРОЛЕВА, 2017

Ceramic wall materials with enhanced frost resistance and mechanical strength through the use of microsilica from ferrosilicon and ferroalloy production. The composition comprises clay, mezhslantsevuyu burnt rock, and microsilica with specific surface area and low thermal expansion coefficient. The microsilica replaces natural materials in traditional ceramic wall compositions, enabling the production of durable, frost-resistant wall materials while minimizing waste generation.

6. Method for Integrating Silicate Compositions into Ceramic Bricks for Enhanced Frost Resistance

Shchepochkina Yulia Alekseevna, SHCHEPOCHKINA YULIYA ALEKSEEVNA, 2016

A method for enhancing the frost resistance of ceramic bricks through the incorporation of specific silicate compositions. The method involves incorporating a silicate material with enhanced thermal shock resistance into the ceramic mass before firing, thereby improving the brick's ability to withstand freezing temperatures.

RU2597213C1-patent-drawing

7. Mortar Composition Incorporating Autoclaved Aerated Brick Material with Variable Thermal Conductivity and Frost Resistance

ANHUI KUNLONG BUILDING MATERIAL CO LTD, 2015

A mortar for aerated bricks that combines improved thermal performance with enhanced frost resistance. The mortar combines aerated brick production with a specialized composition that enhances both insulation properties and thermal conductivity. The aerated brick production process incorporates a unique combination of high-temperature autoclave and conventional mixing processes, resulting in aerated bricks that are both lightweight and have superior thermal performance compared to conventional aerated bricks. The mortar formulation incorporates this aerated brick material into a standard mortar composition, providing improved thermal conductivity and frost resistance while maintaining the aerated brick's lightweight and aerated structure.

CN105198319A-patent-drawing

8. Method for Producing Ceramic Tiles with Enhanced Freeze-Thaw Resistance via Multi-Step Composite Formation and Sintering Process

ANHUI YAOU CERAMIC CO LTD, 2015

A method for improving the freeze-thaw resistance of ceramic tiles through a multi-step process. The method involves grinding and mixing refractory metal oxide and semi-metal oxide powders with quartz sand and other inorganic materials, followed by pressing and glazing the resulting composite material. The composite is then subjected to a specific sintering and firing process that enhances its thermal shock resistance. The resulting ceramic tile exhibits superior freeze-thaw durability compared to conventional ceramic tiles.

CN104909728A-patent-drawing

9. Ceramic Bricks Incorporating Calcium-Containing Blast Furnace Slag with Aphanic Structure

Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Professional Education Samara State University of Economics, FEDERALNOE GOSUDARSTVENNOE BJUDZHETNOE OBRAZOVATELNOE UCHREZHDENIE VYSSHEGO PROFESSIONALNOGO OBRAZOVANIJA SAMARSKIJ GOSUDARSTVENNYJ EHKONOMICHESKIJ UNIVERSITET, 2015

Ceramic bricks with enhanced frost resistance and acid resistance, achieved through the incorporation of calcium-containing blast furnace slag with aphanic structure. The slag, which forms a glass phase with rare microlites, provides improved mechanical properties at high temperatures. The incorporation of this slag-based material into clay bricks enhances their durability in extreme environmental conditions.

RU2555974C1-patent-drawing

10. Ceramic Bricks Incorporating High Refractory Clay Minerals with Enhanced Frost and Acid Resistance

ФЕДЕРАЛЬНОЕ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОЕ БЮДЖЕТНОЕ ОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬНОЕ УЧРЕЖДЕНИЕ ВЫСШЕГО ПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНОГО ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ САМАРСКИЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИЙ УНИВЕРСИТЕТ, FEDERALNOE GOSUDARSTVENNOE BJUDZHETNOE OBRAZOVATELNOE UCHREZHDENIE VYSSHEGO PROFESSIONALNOGO OBRAZOVANIJA SAMARSKIJ GOSUDARSTVENNYJ EHKONOMICHESKIJ UNIVERSITET, 2015

Ceramic bricks with enhanced frost resistance and acid resistance through the incorporation of specific clay minerals. The invention involves the use of clay minerals with high refractory properties, particularly those containing calcium, sodium, magnesium, and aluminum oxides, to improve the thermal stability of ceramic bricks. These clay minerals, such as clay from the Obraztsovskaya and Beydellitovaya regions, exhibit enhanced refractory properties and high binding capacities, enabling the production of bricks with improved thermal resistance to frost and acid attack.

11. Ceramic Brick Composition with Silicate and Ceramic Additives Incorporating Loess-Like Loam, Fine Coal, and Jacket Slag

SHCHEPOCHKINA JULIJA ALEKSEEVNA, SHCHEPOCHINA YULYA ALEKSEEVNA, SHCHEPOCHKINA YULIYA ALEKSEEVNA, 2015

Enhancing frost resistance in ceramic bricks through the incorporation of specific silicate and ceramic components. The composition comprises clay raw materials (loess-like loam) 91,0-97,0; fine coal 1.0-3.0; Vatra of jacket slag 2.0-6.0.

12. Bricks with Enhanced Frost Resistance via Novel Ceramic Matrix and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Process

ЩЕПОЧКИНА ЮЛИЯ АЛЕКСЕЕВНА, SHCHEPOCHKINA JULIJA ALEKSEEVNA, SHCHEPOCHINA YULYA ALEKSEEVNA, 2015

Mass-produced bricks with enhanced frost resistance through a novel ceramic matrix composition. The composition comprises a ceramic matrix with a specific composition of ceramic particles and a binder, and a supercritical carbon dioxide process for forming the bricks.

RU2548259C1-patent-drawing

13. Ceramic Brick Composition with Clay Matrix and Variable Glass Component Proportions

Shchepochkina Yulia Alekseevna, SHCHEPOCHKINA JULIJA ALEKSEEVNA, 2015

Enhancing frost resistance in ceramic brick production through a novel ceramic mixture composition. The composition comprises a clay matrix with specific proportions of coal, crushed brick, and glass components. The glass components, which include ground waste glass, are added in varying percentages to enhance the material's thermal conductivity and frost resistance properties. This composition enables improved thermal performance in cold-weather applications by incorporating the thermal conductivity benefits of glass while maintaining the structural integrity of the ceramic mass.

14. Bricks Comprising Waste Pegmatite Ore with Fine-Grained Thermal Conductivity and Frost Resistance Properties

SHCHEPOCHKINA JULIJA ALEKSEEVNA, Shchepochkina Yulia Alekseevna, 2015

Mass-produced bricks with enhanced frost resistance through the incorporation of waste materials. The bricks contain waste pegmatite ore, which is typically discarded in the mining process. The waste ore is processed to produce a fine-grained material with high thermal conductivity, which is then mixed with clay to create the brick composition. The resulting bricks exhibit improved thermal conductivity and frost resistance, making them suitable for applications in cold climates.

RU2548411C1-patent-drawing

15. Brick Composition Incorporating Pegmatite Ore Waste for Enhanced Frost Resistance

ЩЕПОЧКИНА ЮЛИЯ АЛЕКСЕЕВНА, SHCHEPOCHKINA JULIJA ALEKSEEVNA, 2015

Mass production of bricks with enhanced frost resistance achieved through the incorporation of waste materials from pegmatite ore into clay-based brick compositions. The waste materials, which are typically generated during the mining process of pegmatites, are combined with clay to create a new brick product that retains superior frost resistance compared to traditional clay-based bricks. The waste materials, which may include waste rock and minerals, are processed into a form suitable for incorporation into the clay matrix. This innovative approach enables the production of bricks with improved thermal insulation properties, particularly in cold climates where frost protection is critical.

16. Brick Composition Incorporating Waste Pegmatite Ore for Enhanced Frost Resistance

Shchepochkina Yulia Alekseevna, SHCHEPOCHKINA JULIJA ALEKSEEVNA, 2015

Mass-produced bricks with enhanced frost resistance through a novel composition that combines clay with waste pegmatite ore. The composition, comprising 65-89 wt.% clay and 10-30 wt.% waste pegmatite ore, offers improved thermal insulation and durability in cold climates.

17. Ceramic Mass Comprising Clay, Crushed Bricks, Ground Waste Glass, and Hydrogen Peroxide Solution with Specific Processing Steps

ЩЕПОЧКИНА ЮЛИЯ АЛЕКСЕЕВНА, SHCHEPOCHKINA JULIJA ALEKSEEVNA, 2015

Ceramic mass for bricks and tiles with enhanced frost resistance, achieved through a specific composition of raw materials. The composition comprises clay, crushed bricks, ground waste glass, and a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide in a specific ratio. The raw materials undergo additional processing steps including crushing, sieving, and treatment with hydrogen peroxide before being combined in the final ceramic mass. This unique combination of raw materials and processing steps enables the production of bricks and tiles with improved thermal resistance against frost damage.

RU2539071C1-patent-drawing

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