Dictionary of Moisture Protection & Restoration

Tensile strength = The resistance to force that pulls apart a material to rupture; the maximum tensile stress which the material can sustain. Tension = Force tending to pull material apart, as on the bottom of a lintel or beam. A stretching force. Terra cotta =

Clay that has been molded in shape and then treated in a kiln at high temperature; typically reddish-brown in color when unglazed; when glazed, usually colored and used for ornamental work. After the first half of the 19 th century, terra cotta became an economical alternative to stone as an exterior cladding material. Terra cotta cladding is difficult to waterproof as there is no membrane behind and it depends entirely on the joints to keep the water from penetrating the substrate.

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