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 Glaze Composition with Natural Material Balance and Additives for Antifreeze and Crack Resistance

ANHUI KUNLUN NEW MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023

A ceramic glaze with enhanced antifreeze and crack resistance properties, developed to address the environmental concerns associated with traditional glaze formulations. The glaze composition comprises natural materials such as quartz, potassium feldspar, albite, clay, talc, plant ash, limestone, dolomite, and aggregate. The formulation incorporates a specific balance of these components, along with additives like antifreeze and opacifying agents, to create a glaze that maintains its integrity even in low-temperature environments. The glaze's unique composition enables superior antifreeze performance while maintaining crack resistance, making it suitable for ceramics used in storage applications.

CN115611518A-patent-drawing

3. Brick with Composite Structure Incorporating High-Strength and Thermal Insulation Layers

WUXI YIGANG REFRACTORY MATERIALS CO LTD, Wuxi Yigang Refractory Materials Co., Ltd., 2022

High-strength, corrosion-resistant brick with enhanced thermal insulation properties for building construction. The brick combines the structural integrity of traditional bricks with the thermal insulation capabilities of advanced insulation materials, addressing the challenges of conventional bricks. The brick's unique composition and manufacturing process enable superior durability and thermal performance while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of traditional bricks.

CN217622585U-patent-drawing

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. Multi-Layered Firebrick with Cement Foam Core and Specialized Crack Prevention Layer

ZHEJIANG ZHONGMAO REFRACTORIES CO., LTD., Zhejiang Zhongmao Refractory Co., Ltd., 2018

Firebrick with enhanced durability through a multi-layered construction. The brick comprises a cement foam core with a specialized crack prevention layer at its bottom, a thermal insulation layer on one side of the crack prevention layer, a fireproof layer on the side opposite the thermal insulation layer, and a wear-resistant layer on the side away from the fireproof layer. This layered design addresses thermal expansion and contraction stresses while maintaining structural integrity and preventing cracking.

8. 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.

9. Refractory Brick with Enhanced Mechanical Toughness and Thermal Shock Resistance through Unique Composition and Processing

CHANGXING MENGYOU REFRACTORIES CO LTD, 长兴盟友耐火材料有限公司, 2017

Anti-fracture refractory brick with enhanced mechanical toughness and thermal shock resistance. The brick comprises a refractory material with improved mechanical properties, particularly in terms of toughness and thermal shock resistance, which enables reliable performance in high-temperature applications. The material's unique composition and processing conditions result in a refractory brick that maintains structural integrity under thermal stress conditions, significantly improving its durability and lifespan in furnace and container applications.

CN205991709U-patent-drawing

10. Mullite Brick with Optimized Composition and Processing for Enhanced Thermal Shock and Abrasion Resistance

HUNAN XIANGGANG RUITAI TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, Hunan Xianggang Refractory Technology Co., Ltd., 2016

CDQ mullite brick and preparation method for refractory applications, particularly in CDQ quenching processes. The mullite brick achieves superior performance in CDQ furnaces by combining high thermal shock resistance with excellent abrasion resistance and wear characteristics. The preparation method involves optimizing the mullite composition and processing conditions to achieve the desired combination of properties.

11. 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

12. Brick with Ternary Oxide Coating Forming Spinel Solid Solution for Enhanced Corrosion Resistance

MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORP, 2016

Corrosion-resistant brick for non-ferrous smelting furnaces that inhibits chemical erosion through a novel coating layer. The brick features a surface layer comprising a ternary oxide of iron and components of the brick material, specifically a spinel solid solution with a melting point of 1600°C or higher. This layer is formed by reacting the iron components with the brick material during manufacturing, creating a durable, high-temperature-resistant coating that prevents slag erosion into the brick grain boundaries.

13. 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

14. 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

15. Refractory Brick with Enhanced Thermal Shock Resistance and Vibration Stability for Rotary Kilns

LIUZHOU PUYA TRADE CO LTD, 2015

Thermal shock-resistant refractory brick for rotary kiln furnaces that achieves low temperature softening, high thermal shock resistance, and vibration resistance. The brick's unique composition and manufacturing process enable it to maintain its structural integrity even under extreme temperature fluctuations, while also resisting thermal shock without compromising its load-bearing capacity or vibration characteristics. This breakthrough material addresses the challenges of traditional refractory bricks that fail catastrophically under thermal shock, enabling continuous operation in high-temperature kiln environments.

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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.

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

22. Quartz Stone Overflow Brick with Short Fibers and Compound Additive for Grain Boundary Strengthening and Thermal Shock Resistance

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

24. Aerated Concrete Brick Comprising Sodium Carbonate, Borax, Succinic Acid, Ceramic Sand, and Iron Powder

25. Multi-Layer Corrosion-Resistant Tile with Integrated Ceramic and Reinforcing Layers

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