MATERIAL DATA SHEET

Clay Brick, various types, finishes and sizes for envelope use (76mm, 90mm, 110mm wall thickness)

Brick
mineral › Clay-Based › Brick
mineralclay-basedmasonrythermal-massfire-resistantaustralian-madedurablestructuralnon-combustiblerecyclable
ATLAS CODE
MIN-CLY-BRK-002
Clay Brick, various types, finishes and sizes for envelope use (76mm, 90mm, 110mm wall thickness)
Category mineral
Material Family Clay-Based
Regulatory Status Non-combustible
Density
1430-1950 kg/m³ kg/m³
Carbon (A1-A5)
200-345 kgCO₂e/m³ kgCO₂e
Fire Class
Non-combustible
Lifespan
100+ years yrs
Description

Clay bricks are manufactured from selected clays, shales and other minerals, moulded or extruded into shape and fired in kilns at temperatures between 900-1200°C. Standard Australian dimensions are 230mm × 110mm × 76mm, with variations for 90mm and 110mm wall thicknesses. These units provide structural integrity, thermal mass benefits, and aesthetic versatility for residential and commercial construction across all Australian climate zones (BCA Zones 1-8).

Typical Uses
  • External load-bearing walls
  • Cavity wall construction (double brick)
  • Brick veneer cladding systems
  • Internal partition walls
  • Retaining walls
  • Firewall construction
  • Heritage restoration projects
  • Acoustic barrier walls
  • Architectural feature walls
  • Bushfire-prone area construction (BAL-FZ rated)
Recycled Content 0-30%
Renewable Content 0-15%
Recyclability 100%
Embodied Carbon 200-345 kgCO₂e/m³ kgCO₂e
Embodied Energy 2.5-3.0 MJ/kg MJ/kg
EPD Available Yes
Advantages
Exceptional durability (100+ year lifespan)High thermal mass for passive solar designNon-combustible with excellent fire resistanceLow maintenance requirementsLocally manufactured reducing transport emissionsRecyclable and reusable at end of lifeNo VOC emissionsNatural humidity regulationExcellent acoustic insulation propertiesColourfast and UV resistantTermite and vermin resistantSuitable for all BAL ratings including BAL-FZ
Cautions
High embodied energy from firing processLabour-intensive installationRelatively high initial costHeavy material requiring robust foundationsLimited insulation value without cavityPotential for efflorescence in some conditionsMortar joints require periodic maintenanceSlower construction compared to lightweight systemsTransport weight impacts logistics costsSkills shortage in bricklaying trades
TECHNICAL DATA: PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES MIN-CLY-BRK-002
Density (Dry) 1430-1950 kg/m³ kg/m³
Specific Gravity 1.8-2.2
Porosity 25-35% %
Water Absorption 12-20% %
Hardness 5-7 Mohs scale
Surface Roughness 0.5-3.0 mm Ra μm
UV Resistance Excellent
Chemical Resistance Good-Excellent
pH Tolerance 3-11
Compressive Strength 10-50 MPa MPa
Tensile Strength 2.0-4.0 MPa MPa
Flexural Strength 2.5-5.0 MPa MPa
Shear Strength 0.3-0.5 MPa MPa
Elastic Modulus 5-25 GPa GPa
Yield Strength N/A MPa
Impact Resistance Moderate J/m
Bearing Capacity 1.5-4.0 MPa kN/m²
Poisson's Ratio 0.15-0.25
Creep Resistance Excellent
Abrasion Resistance High
Thermal Conductivity 0.55-0.78 W/m·K W/mK
Thermal Resistance R0.14-0.20 m²·K/W (110mm) m²K/W
Specific Heat Capacity 800-920 J/kg·K J/kgK
Thermal Expansion 5-8 × 10⁻⁶/°C μm/m·K
Melting Point 1700-1800°C °C
Ignition Temperature N/A °C
Sound Transmission Class (STC) 45-53 STC
Noise Reduction Coeff. (NRC) 0.03-0.05
Optical
Light Transmittance 0% %
Light Reflectance (LRV) 10-60% %
Solar Reflectance (SRI) 10-45

Clay bricks have been manufactured in Australia since European settlement in 1788, with the first commercial brickworks established in Sydney in 1789. Modern Australian manufacturing began in the early 1900s with companies like Austral Bricks (1908). The industry has evolved from hand-moulding and clamp kilns to modern tunnel kilns and extrusion technology. Australian innovation includes development of dry-pressed bricks, use of biomass fuels, and achievement of carbon-neutral production at select facilities. Current focus on reducing embodied carbon through alternative fuels and improved efficiency, with industry commitment to 15% emissions reduction by 2030.

SAFETY, ECOLOGY & INSTALLATION MIN-CLY-BRK-002
Flame Spread Index 0
Smoke Developed Index 0
Combustibility Class Non-combustible
Ignition Temperature N/A °C
Fire Resistance Rating 60-240 minutes hours
Heat Release Rate 0 kW/m² kW/m²
Toxicity of Combustion None
Embodied Carbon (A1-A3) 200-345 kgCO₂e/m³ kgCO₂e/kg
Embodied Energy 2.5-3.0 MJ/kg MJ/kg
Water Footprint 2-4 L/brick L/kg
EPD Available Yes
Recycled Content 30%
Renewable Content 15%
LEED Points MR, EQ, SS categories
Circular Economy Score High /100
VOC Emissions Zero g/L
Skill Level Trade qualified
Crew Size 2-4 persons
Installation Time 40-60 bricks per hour hr/m²
Curing Time 7-28 days hours
Setting Time 1-2 hours min
Temperature Range 2-40°C °C
Humidity Range 20-90% RH %
Required Tools
TrowelsSpirit levelsString linesBrick sawMortar mixerJointing toolsScaffolding
Certifications Required
Trade qualificationWhite cardWorking at heights
Weather Limitations
No laying below 2°CProtection required in rainHot weather procedures above 35°C
COMMERCIAL, LOGISTICS & REGULATORY MIN-CLY-BRK-002
Material Cost $800-1500 per 1000 bricks
Installation Cost $65-110 per m²
Annual Maintenance $0.50-2.00 per m²
Lifecycle Cost (50yr) $150-250 per m² (50 years)
Market Availability Excellent
Lead Time 1-4 weeks weeks
Design Life 100+ years years
Warranty Period 50-100 years years
Maintenance Interval 10-25 years months
Service Temp Range -40 to 1000°C °C
Freeze/Thaw Resistance Good-Excellent
Dimensional Stability Excellent
Certifications Held
AS/NZS 4455.1:2008 complianceISO 9001:2015Climate Active (selected products)EPD Australasia verifiedGBCA Green Star compliantZero VOC emissionsRed List Free (Declare label)Non-toxic material certification
Fire Code Compliance
AS 1530.1 Non-combustibilityAS 1530.4 Fire resistanceAS 3959 Bushfire construction
Standards Compliance
NCC/BCA compliantAS 3700-2018 Masonry StructuresAS/NZS 4455.1:2008 Masonry UnitsASTM C67 Sampling and testingASTM C62 Building brickISO 9001 Quality managementEN 771-1 Clay masonry units

DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.

ID: MIN-CLY-BRK-002 Schema: v3.0