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Refractory Define

The simplest and most direct refractory define is that these are materials which can withstand high temperatures for a long time.  Refractory materials have many industrial uses. The most commonly known example is fire bricks. Industrial furnaces made with these bricks are used in different industries for many different purposes. However, refractory define is not limited to only fire bricks, of course. Overall, all non-metallic materials which can withstand 1.000 F and above temperatures without degradation of their chemical and physical structure are within the scope of refractory define. In this regard, one of the most important and distinguishing features of the refractories can also be acknowledged: they are not metallic materials.

What Does Refractory Mean?

The iron and steel industry consumes approximately 70% of the refractory materials ever produced. Refractories are generally used in industrial furnaces, reactors, ignition units and kilns. Glass manufacturing, fire shields, and rocket platforms are other usage areas. A refractory material should be resistant to thermal shock. In other words, it should not expand or become narrow when exposed to high temperatures. The refractory material must maintain its chemical structure in all conditions. The most important raw materials used for refractory production are aluminum, silicon, and magnesium. But the raw material is decided according to the purpose of the refractory. For example, for refractories that need to withstand very high temperatures, zirconia and carbon graphite is preferred. If the target temperature is over 4,000 C, hafnium carbide will be a better choice.

Properties of Refractory Materials

Refractory define also changes according to the chemical resistance of the materials used. Refractories can be divided into three groups: acidic - neutral - basic. Acidic refractories consist of aluminum and silica. They are not affected by acidic materials, however, the basic materials easily wear them. The opposite can also be said for the basic refractories. The neutral refractories can resist both to acidic and basic materials. Refractory define also changes according to the manufacturing methods. Because refractory materials are also divided into various categories according to the manufacturing techniques. The most common categories are dry pressing, manual shaping, smelting and monolithic.

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