Refractory materials are those that resist high temperatures without melting or oxidizing. They are widely used in industries such as steelmaking and glass manufacturing. The properties of refractory materials are very important because they determine their suitability for various applications.
For example, the melting point of alumina (Al2O3) is 2,700°C, whereas zirconia (ZrO2) has a melting point of 3,500°C. This means that Al2O3 is much harder than ZrO2. To learn more; stay tuned, this guide explains the properties of refractory material as well as its characteristics too.
Refractoriness of Refractory Materials:
Refractoriness is the quality of refractory materials that allows them to sustain high temperatures without melting under no stress. An example of a technical index is refractiveness. The definition of refractoriness for refractory materials differs from the melting point. The chemical mineral compositions and distribution of the materials are the most fundamental factors that affect the degree of refractoriness. The refractoriness of refractory products will be significantly decreased by a variety of impurity components, particularly those with high flow functions.
Therefore, ensuring and enhancing the purity of raw materials should be the primary goal in order to increase the refractoriness of refractory materials. Refractoriness is unquestionably a technical criterion to assess the quality of refractory materials; at this level, the material loses its mechanical strength and resistance to corrosion. As a result, it is incorrect to assume that better bricks correspond to increased refractoriness.
The majority of the time, loads and fluxes of foreign items are present when refractory materials are used at high temperatures. As a result, the product’s refractoriness cannot be taken as the maximum use temperature for the product. Other qualities must be thoroughly taken into consideration.
Physical & Chemical Properties of Refractory Materials:
Quality and suitability for application of refractory material depend upon their physical, thermal, and chemical properties. The most common properties of the refractory material are listed below.
Physical Properties of Refractory Materials
Bulk density
Porosity
Cold compressive strength
Flexural strength
Wear resistance
Chemical Properties of Refractory Materials
Corrosion resistance
Thermal Properties of Refractory Materials
Melting point
Thermal expansion
Dimensional stability
Thermal shock
Thermal conductivity
Polymetric cone equivalent (PVE)
Characteristics of Refractory Materials:
Here are the following characteristics of refractory materials; take a look!
- Refractory materials are those substances that have high melting points and low vapor pressures at elevated temperatures. These characteristics make them useful for many industrial applications.
- Refractory materials have been used in glass manufacturing since ancient times. Glasses are formed by heating sand to a molten state, then pouring the molten mixture into molds where it cools and hardens. In modern times, refractories are used in furnaces to protect metal parts from extreme heat.
- Refractory materials were first developed in the 19th century for use in blast furnaces. Blast furnaces use extremely hot air to melt iron ore and produce pig iron. The resulting product is called steel. Steel is much stronger than iron and is used in construction, automobiles, and machinery.
- Refractory materials can withstand temperatures of over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,100 degrees Celsius). At these temperatures, they do not burn easily and do not react chemically with oxygen. As a result, they are often used in chemical processes.
- Refractory materials may be classified according to their physical properties. Examples include alumina, silica, magnesia, zirconia, and mullite.
Conclusion:
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