stiff-mud process

clay

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

The stiff-mud process is a method used in brickmaking. In this process, a stiff mixture of clay and water is extruded through a die, forming a continuous column. Wires are then used to cut individual bricks from this emerging column. This technique is a common method for forming structural clay products, which are ceramic materials used in building construction, such as bricks, tiles, and pipes. These products are made from a blend of clays, quartz, and feldspar, which are shaped and then fired in a kiln to create durable, load-bearing materials.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

brick and tile
Mixing and forming
In the stiff-mud process the clay is mixed with water to render it plastic, after which it is forced through a die that extrudes a column of clay like the toothpaste squeezed from a tube (see the Figure). The column gives two dimensions of the unit being…
Read More
In the stiff-mud process the clay is mixed with water to render it plastic, after which it is forced through a die that extrudes a column of clay like the toothpaste squeezed from a tube (see the Figure). The column gives two dimensions of the unit being…
Read More