Microstructural Characterization of Fired Clay Bricks in the Chontalpa Region, Tabasco, Mexico

In the Mexican state of Tabasco, clay-like materials are of particular interest in the handcraft and construction industries. Combining both and due to the abundance of clay on this region, fired clay bricks are commonly used in construction. These are done in an artesian way without proper quality control. We present a chemical content analysis study for three particular areas in the Chontalpa region in Tabasco, where the mud used to produce the fired clay bricks is obtained. It is found that the mineralogical composition and firing temperature influence the brick porosity promoting textural and physical changes.