"Refractory" refers to any material that is heat resistant. It also refers to materials that change in appearance when heated, but which cannot be destroyed or physically altered. Additionally, refractory refers to industrial substances that act as casting buffers in molds when sand and metal are involved. The following three types of refractory coatings and what they do are explained in an easy-to-follow guide so that it makes sense why you would want an industrial brick refractory coating on all bricks you buy.

​Water-Based Coatings

​Water-based coatings are typically used for large steel castings, such as the entire side of an army tank or a panel of a submarine. In regards to a brick coating, the water-based coatings are not used all that often, but they can be used when the brick is very porous and will accept the coating. The result is a less rough surface that is less likely to scratch flesh when touched. 

Water-Based Dip Coatings

​Water-based dip coatings takes the items to be coated and quickly dips and momentarily submerges them in the coating. Sandy, gritty edges are eliminated, and dipped objects spend less time in the cleaning and refining rooms. Dipping items into a refractory coating reduces the amount of items scrapped, a major monetary benefit that most consumers of dipped brick can get behind.

​Alcohol-Based Coatings

Alcohol-based coatings kill bacteria that can grow on bricks. The bacteria provide the perfect place for mold and mildew to grow as well. When the bricks are coated with an alcohol-based coating, it prevents growths of unwanted fungi and bacteria. The bricks stay cleaner, longer, and require far less maintenance over the course of the next few years. This is important to note where the bricks might be in a very damp, very moist, and/or very humid environment.

Choosing a Refractory Coating on Your Bricks

​Most often, you buy bricks and they are already coated with one or more refractory coatings. You do not really have to think about it. You can tell that the bricks are coated by the descriptions on the sale signs by each stack and type of brick. For example, if the sign says that a particular kind of brick is "mold-proof," there is a very good chance that this kind of brick has been through the alcohol-based coating process. You can request additional information about any brick that makes a statement about its properties.