Clinker
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Clinker has several meanings:
- In boat building, clinker is a method of constructing wooden boats. In some parts of the world it is known as lapstrake. The shell is assembled without a frame so that the planks overlap each other gaining support from each other. They are then tied together with steamed lengths of wood, typically oak or elm, called timbers, which resemble ribs. These are bent transversely into the already built shell and riveted to the lands of the strakes. Early iron vessels too, were clinker-built.
- In combustion, clinker is also the name of the rocky glassy material that remains after burning coal.
- In metallurgy, clinker is the term for the material remaining after the process of smelting a metal ore. It may contain ash from the smelting fire, and also the impurities, rock, and unreduced metal oxides. Clinker is used in the manufacture of Portland cement.
- In construction, clinker bricks are used on buildings as an architectural detailing.