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Refractory

The term “refractory” defines a group of materials, which can withstand high temperatures. In general, non-metallic materials that are exposed to environments above 1.000 F are considered as refractory. Refractory materials have a wide range of uses, from rocket launch platforms to industrial furnaces. However, the steel industry is the biggest consumer and uses nearly %70 of all refractory materials produced each year. A refractory material must be stable physically and chemically at all times, especially when exposed to high temperatures. Ability to resist thermal shocks, efficiency of thermal expansion, and staying chemically inert at all times are the most defining features of refractory materials.

Classification of Refractory Materials

Classification of refractory materials is based on their chemical composition. There are three main categories based on this classification:

-          Acidic Refractories : They are usually made of alumina and silica. Acidic refractories are not affected by acids, but basic materials can affect them easily. Fire bricks are the most common example in this category.

-          Basic Refractories : They are usually made of magnesia. Basic refractories are not affected by basics, but acidic materials can affect them easily. They are mostly used as a lining material in industrial furnaces.

-          Neutral Refractories : They are usually made of chromium. Neutral refractories are not affected by acids nor basics. Chromium carbon is the most common example of this category.

Composition of Refractory Materials

It is also possible to categorize refractory materials by their method of manufacture and shapes. Another common categorization technique is based on fusion temperatures. For example, Zirconia can stand against 2.000 C easily. On the other hand, fire bricks (refractory bricks) can only withstand up to 1.580 C. Refractory materials consist of different formulas according to their uses, but as we mentioned above, staying stable under high temperatures is a common feature for all of them.

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