Specific Weight of Chamotte, Properties and Calculation Table
Chamotte is refractory clay or kaolin fired to a certain degree of sintering, with chemically bound water removed and plasticity lost. It is used in stoves, fireplaces, linings, refractory mortars, building mixes and decorative ceramics. The term is also used for products and mixes containing chamotte powder or grog.
In artistic ceramics, chamotte is a plastic mass with 30 to 40 percent chamotte grog added, with a grain size from 0.2 to 2.5 mm.
Table of Specific Weight of Chamotte
Because chamotte is a complex material, calculating its specific weight independently in field conditions is practically impossible. Such measurements are carried out in special chemical laboratories. However, the average specific weight of chamotte is known and ranges from 1.8 to 2.2 g/cm³.
For easier calculations, the table below gives values for the weight of chamotte, the specific weight of chamotte and these values depending on the units of measurement.
| Material | Specific weight (g/cm³) | Weight of 1 m³ (kg) |
| Chamotte | From 1.8 to 2.2 | From 1800 to 2200 |
Properties of Chamotte
Chamotte is valued for refractoriness, thermal resistance and relatively stable behavior when heated. It is used mainly where a material works at elevated temperatures: in stoves, fireplaces, linings, refractory mortars and heat-resistant concretes.
Chamotte powder and dry mixes should be protected from moisture during storage: wetting reduces flowability, complicates dosing and can lower the quality of the finished mortar.
According to application, chamotte is commonly divided into the following types:
- Chamotte aggregates. This type includes aggregates and binders for refractory mortars and concretes, such as chamotte stone and chamotte powder.
- Chamotte brick. This is refractory brick of the ShB, ShA and ShL ranges. It is very light and highly refractory.
- Refractory mortars. This group includes different mortars, such as chamotte, silica, magnesia, high-alumina and others.
- Refractory cements. These are special cements with increased heat resistance, including high-alumina cements and GC grade cement with numbers 40, 50 and 60.
- Refractory concrete. These are dry refractory mixes, including masonry and repair mortars, concrete, mixes for shotcreting and lining, and spinel-type ramming masses.
- Other products using chamotte. These include refractory boards, ramming masses, backfills, ceramic products, lining materials and mixes where chamotte is used as a refractory aggregate.
Environmental Impact of Chamotte
Chamotte production involves firing, so if cleaning technologies are not properly maintained, dust and harmful compounds may be emitted into the air around production facilities. Chamotte dust also plays a significant role in environmental pollution. Inhaling this dust is dangerous to health and, with long-term exposure, may increase the risk of occupational respiratory diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does 1 m³ of chamotte weigh?
The article gives 1,800-2,200 kg/m³ for dense material. Chamotte grog, powder or dry mixes can have a lower bulk density.
What affects chamotte density?
Density depends on the source clay or kaolin, firing degree, grain size, porosity and moisture. Chamotte brick, grog and powder therefore have different design values.
Where is chamotte used?
Chamotte is used in refractory brick, mortars, concretes, furnace linings, fireplaces and ceramic work. For high temperatures, select the grade by the material datasheet.