Refractory Material

Which Refractory Material is Best for Steel Mills?

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In steel production, refractory materials are not only protective barriers for high-temperature equipment but also fundamental to ensuring production stability and product quality. With a wide variety of compositions, each production stage requires different performance characteristics from refractory materials. Scientific selection and application of these materials can enhance production efficiency and reduce costs for enterprises. So, how should the steel industry choose suitable refractory materials? Refractory materials are typically classified into three main categories: 1. Shaped Refractory Materials: These include MgO-C bricks, high-alumina bricks, slide gates, nozzles, etc. They are suitable for areas like furnace linings, ladles, and tundishes that must endure prolonged exposure to high temperatures and mechanical impacts. 2. Unshaped Refractory Materials： These include castables, gunning mass, and ramming mass, primarily used for lining repairs in complex shapes or comprehensive construction of steel production equipment. They offer high flexibility in construction. 3. Refractory Raw Materials: Examples include fused magnesia, white fused alumina, tabular alumina, and calcined bauxite, which are the essential bases for producing shaped or unshaped refractory materials. In recent years, with the increasing variety and purity requirements of steel products, demand for high-performance refractory materials has grown steadily. Given the strong chemical reactions during high-temperature stages in production—such as molten steel, slag, and high-temperature gases—the performance and quality of refractory materials are critical factors. Application of Refractory Materials in the Steel Industry Refractory materials in the steel industry are chosen based on specific production processes and raw material requirements: Magnesia-Based Refractory Materials: Known for their high refractoriness and excellent high-temperature strength, combined with outstanding resistance to alkaline slag erosion, these materials are widely used in converters, electric arc furnaces, and other high-temperature, high-corrosion areas in steelmaking. Alumina-Based Refractory Materials: With high-temperature stability and strong mechanical strength, these materials are ideal for processes requiring high wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and thermal shock resistance, thereby extending equipment lifespan. Zirconia-Based Refractory Materials: Renowned for their excellent corrosion resistance, high melting point, and low thermal conductivity, these materials are widely used in high-purity steel production and processes requiring exceptional resistance to corrosion, meeting the higher product quality demands of the steel industry. Silica-Based Refractory Materials: These materials, with high melting points, low costs, and good chemical stability and thermal shock resistance, are widely applied in the steel industry. However, their effectiveness is limited under ultra-high-temperature conditions. Key Role of Refractory Materials in Steel Production Refractory materials are not only protective barriers for equipment but also critical factors influencing steel production efficiency and product quality. The most suitable refractory material for the steel industry does not have a single fixed answer; it depends on the specific application scenario. Whether magnesia-based, alumina-based, or zirconia-based materials, each process stage imposes unique requirements on refractory materials. Choosing refractory materials wisely requires thorough consideration of specific process needs, production conditions, and cost-effectiveness. Combining professional technical support with scientific management can not only extend equipment lifespan and optimize costs but also create greater value for steel enterprises. Contact Us Related Posts More Blog

Three Key Points to Differentiate Fused Magnesia and Large Crystal Fused Magnesia

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Fused Magnesia and Large Crystal Fused Magnesia are both high-performance magnesia refractory materials with extensive industrial applications. However, they differ significantly in raw materials, preparation processes, chemical and physical properties, and application fields. 1. Raw Material Sources and Preparation Processes Fused Magnesia Sand: Made from magnesite ore containing more than 47% magnesium, directly melted. This process ensures high purity and stable chemical composition. Large Crystal Fused Magnesia Sand: Made from light-burned magnesia powder containing 91%-92% magnesium, melted in an electric arc furnace to produce large crystal forms. This process results in larger, denser crystalline grains. Magnesite ore Light-burned magnesia powde 2. Comparison of Chemical and Physical Properties Fused Magnesia: Features high purity, large crystal grains, dense structure, strong slag resistance, good thermal shock stability, stable chemical properties, high compressive strength, strong insulation performance, erosion resistance, and corrosion resistance. Suitable for refractory needs in high-temperature environments. Large Crystal Fused Magnesia: In addition to the characteristics of fused magnesia, its large crystalline form provides superior high-temperature flexural strength, thermal conductivity, and insulation performance. Fused Magnesia Large Crystal Fused Magnesia 3. Application Fields and Suitable Scenarios Fused Magnesia: Mainly used for making special refractory bricks such as magnesia bricks, magnesia-carbon bricks, and magnesia-chrome bricks, as well as monolithic refractories like dry spraying materials and ramming materials. Widely used in metallurgy, building materials, light industry, and furnace linings. Large Crystal Fused Magnesia: In addition to the applications of fused magnesia, it is also suitable for refractory materials for steelmaking furnace linings, refractory bricks, monolithic refractories, and as a filler for making thermocouples and thermal insulation materials, ceramic raw materials, sintering aids, defense, medical devices, and other fields. Both fused magnesia and large crystal fused magnesia are high-performance magnesia refractory materials. However, due to differences in raw material sources, preparation processes, and chemical and physical properties, the choice of refractory material should be based on project requirements, environmental conditions, and performance needs to provide the best support and assurance for project success and durability. Contact Us Related Posts More Blog

How to Find Reliable Suppliers for Calcined Bauxite?

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Refractory Characteristics of Calcined Bauxite Calcined bauxite is one of the refractory raw materials, it is sintered after high-temperature treatment, ( Normally sintered it in rotary kilns, round kilns, or shaft kilns at temperatures around 1600°C – 1800°C）， alumina (Al2O3) content ranging from 70% to 90%. The excellent refractory properties of calcined bauxite make it one of the main raw materials for the production of shaped and unshaped refractory material. Strictly Quality Control to Ensure Quality We implement strict quality control of calcined bauxite to ensure that each batch of product meets high standards. Calcined bauxite refractory raw materials are able to meet the high standards of customers in terms of chemical stability and physical properties. Product sampling inspection Calcined Bauxite Products Can Be Customised According to different customers’ application scenarios, we can match calcined bauxite products with different index specifications as required. To meet the needs of high alumina refractory materials, refractory casting materials, refractory bricks and so on. At the same time, we are committed to providing customers with more comprehensive solutions, covering refractory performance, stability and after-sales products and other aspects. Technical Support & R&D Our professional technical team provides you with comprehensive technical support and consultation to ensure that calcined bauxite gives full play to its performance advantages in use. The R&D team is committed to continuous innovation to provide more advanced and reliable solutions. And we attach great importance to customer experience, not only provide quality products, but also actively communicate and cooperate with customers. We continuously listen to customer feedback and improve our services to ensure that our customers get maximum satisfaction from working with us. Contact Us Related Posts More Blog

What Is the Main Raw Material for Magnesium Carbon Brick?

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The main raw materials for magnesia carbon bricks include fused magnesia or sintered magnesia, flake graphite, organic binders, and antioxidants. Magnesia carbon bricks are a crucial component in various high-temperature applications such as electric arc furnaces, converters, and ladles. One of the key factors contributing to their exceptional performance is the selection of raw materials. In this blog post, we will explore the main raw material for magnesia carbon bricks. And delve into its significance in the manufacturing process. The Main Raw Materials of Magnesium Carbon Brick 1. Magnesium Sand Magnesium sand stands out as a core raw material in the production of MgO-C bricks, with a distinction between electrofused magnesium sand and sintered magnesium sand. Fused magnesia is favored for its advantages, such as high bulk density and large crystalline grains. The magnesium sand used in MgO-C bricks for metallurgical equipment not only requires specific chemical composition but also emphasizes a high density and large crystalline structure to meet the demanding conditions of smelting. 2. Graphite Flake graphite actively functions as the primary carbon source for magnesia-carbon bricks, leveraging its exceptional physical properties such as non-wetting characteristics with slag, high thermal conductivity, and low thermal expansion, thereby establishing it as an ideal carbon source. The active utilization of high-purity graphite enhances the performance of the bricks. Furthermore, carbon black actively plays a role in improving spalling resistance, increasing residual carbon content, and actively elevating the density of MgO-C bricks. 3. Binders Common binding agents utilized in the production of MgO-C bricks encompass coal tar, coal pitch, petroleum asphalt, along with specialized carbonaceous resins, polyols, denatured asphalt phenolic resins, and more. These binding agents, upon carbonization under high-temperature conditions, form mosaic structures and in-situ carbon fiber materials, thereby enhancing the high-temperature performance of refractory materials. 4. Antioxidant To enhance the antioxidant properties of MgO-C bricks, manufacturers typically introduce small amounts of additives, including Si, Al, Mg, SiC, and B4C. These additives actively react with oxygen at operational temperatures from a thermodynamic perspective, creating substances with a greater affinity than carbon for oxygen, thereby prioritizing protection for carbon. From a kinetic standpoint, antioxidants actively alter the microstructure of carbon composite refractories, increasing densification, blocking pores, and hindering the diffusion of oxygen and reaction products, consequently actively improving refractory performance. Magnesium carbon brick is a type of refractory brick commonly used in various industries. It is made using the raw materials mentioned above and is known for its high thermal conductivity and resistance to corrosion.

What Are The Common Refractory Materials For Blast Furnace?

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In the early stages of long process steelmaking, the blast furnace is a shaft furnace that burns coke by blowing hot air and reduces iron ore to hot metal. It is a thermal device for the continuous production of iron in a high temperature and reducing atmosphere. Refractory Materials for Blast Furnaces 1.Anhydrous clay Anhydrous clay is a kind of refractory material used for sealing iron mouth. It has the characteristics of good filling, easy opening, corrosion resistance, improvement of furnace environment, stable iron mouth and so on. 2.Graphite block Graphite block is a kind of high temperature refractory material, made of high purity graphite. Can be customized according to customer needs, with good thermal conductivity, high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance and other characteristics. 3. Silicon carbide brick Silicon carbide brick is a refractory material made of silicon carbide as the main raw material. The product has the characteristics of good wear resistance, corrosion resistance, high temperature strength, good thermal shock stability, high thermal conductivity, small thermal expansion coefficient and so on. In SUMMARY: Our commitment to innovation and quality assurance ensures that our blast furnace refractories contribute to the life, stability and efficiency of blast furnace operations. Discover our full range of solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of the steel plant production process. We offer a wide range of blast furnace refractories, from silicon carbide bricks in the throat to carbon blocks in the bottom. We take strict quality control measures to ensure that all delivered products meet the highest standards, accordingly extending the life of the blast furnace and increasing its operating efficiency.

The Common Refractory Materials for Iron Ladle Applications

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Reliable refractory materials play a vital role in extending the life of the iron ladle and improving operational efficiency. Our experienced team specializes in designing and customizing a complete range of iron ladle refractories to meet the specific conditions at your site. The Common Refractory Materials for Iron Ladle: 1. Al2O3-SiC-C bricks: Al₂O₃-SiC-C Brick (aluminum silicon carbide carbon brick) is made of high quality materials such as corundum, graphite, scaled graphite and silicon carbide through advanced technology. It is known for its excellent resistance to slag erosion, outstanding thermal shock resistance and long service life, making it ideal for iron ladle applications. 2. Al2O3-SiC Castable: Al2O3-SiC Castable has impressive properties based on sintered or electrofused corundum as aggregate, sintered or electrofused corundum powder and silicon carbide powder as matrix with various additives. Its high resistance to slag corrosion, erosion and excellent thermal shock stability make it a reliable choice for iron ladle applications. Conclusion In conclusion, refractory materials such as Al2O3-SiC-C bricks and Al2O3-SiC castable produced using advanced technology and high quality components, can significantly improve the performance and service life of iron ladles. We are committed to customizing our refractory solutions to steel plants’ site-specific conditions to ensure that they are perfectly matched to your operational requirements, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the steel production process.

The Uses and Advantages of Magnesium Carbon Bricks in Steel Making Industry

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In the realm of iron and steel metallurgy, the choice of construction materials for steelmaking furnaces holds paramount importance. Among these materials, magnesium carbon bricks, renowned for their exceptional refractory properties, have emerged as a popular choice. This blog presents an overview of the characteristics, production process, and the extensive applications of magnesium carbon bricks within the steel smelting industry. 1. Characteristics of Magnesium Carbon Bricks: Magnesium carbon bricks are engineered from premium graphite and high-purity magnesium oxide, crafting high-performance refractory materials known for the following attributes: Lightweight and High Strength: Magnesium carbon bricks boast low density yet impressive strength, facilitating ease of processing and construction. Robust Corrosion Resistance: These bricks can endure corrosive environments, effectively extending the service life of furnace linings. Exceptional Fire Resistance: Thanks to the high melting point of magnesium oxide, these bricks can withstand temperatures exceeding 1500°C. Superior Electrical Conductivity: Magnesium carbon bricks exhibit robust electrical conductivity, capable of resisting arc burn-through, ensuring the stability of the furnace lining. 2. Production Process of Magnesium Carbon Bricks: The production process of magnesium carbon bricks encompasses the following sequential steps: Crushing: Raw materials are initially crushed to facilitate subsequent mixing and molding. Sampling: Quality sampling of the crushed raw materials is performed to ensure compliance with defined requirements. Mixing: The crushed raw materials are blended to create a homogeneous mixture. Inspection: Rigorous inspection of the mix confirms that its composition and properties meet predefined standards. Batching: Based on production schedules and customer specifications, the mixture and auxiliary materials are batched. Inspection: Post-batching inspections are conducted to validate the composition and performance of the products. Molding: The batched products undergo molding and processing to produce magnesium carbon bricks that meet the required specifications. Calcination: The molded magnesium carbon brick products are subjected to high-temperature calcination to complete material densification and optimize performance. Inspection: A final check is conducted on the calcined magnesium carbon brick products to ensure they meet quality and performance criteria. 3. Application of Magnesium Carbon Bricks in Steel Making Industry In steelmaking electric furnaces, the advantage of magnesium carbon bricks lies in their excellent refractory properties and high temperature strength. Due to its high melting point, magnesium carbon bricks can withstand the high temperature environment in the process of high temperature steelmaking, effectively protecting the furnace lining and extending the service life of the furnace. In addition, magnesium carbon brick also has excellent anti-erosion performance, can resist the erosion of impurities in steel, to ensure the quality of steelmaking. In converter applications, magnesium carbon bricks assume a pivotal role as the primary material for converter linings due to their remarkable thermal shock resistance and resistance to slag erosion. They are suitable for all converter types, ranging from large to small converters. In ladle applications, magnesium carbon bricks are favored as ladle lining materials, thanks to their excellent refractoriness and resistance to molten steel erosion. They accommodate various ladle sizes, from large to small. Furthermore, magnesium carbon bricks find extensive use in electric furnace linings and diverse high-temperature equipment applications. In conclusion, magnesium carbon bricks are highly regarded within the realm of iron and steel metallurgy as high-performance refractory materials. Their exceptional performance and versatile applications contribute to the efficiency, stability, and sustainability of iron and steel metallurgical production. With the continuous advancement of science and technology, it is anticipated that the performance and application scope of magnesium carbon bricks will undergo further expansion and enhancement in the future.

BOF Refractories

3 Main Refractory Materials and Solutions for Steelmaking Converters

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Refractory materials are the backbone of efficient steelmaking converters, ensuring their structural and functional stability under extreme conditions. In this article, we will delve into three key refractory materials and the solutions they provide for steelmaking converters. TAPPING HOLE BRICKS Tapping hole bricks for Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) are crafted from high-quality fused magnesia and high-purity flake graphite, using high-pressure molding or isostatic pressing. These bricks exhibit low porosity, exceptional high-temperature strength, robust resistance to erosion and scouring, good oxidation resistance, and a long service life. MGO-C BRICKS BOF magnesia carbon bricks are manufactured using large crystalline high-purity fused magnesia and high-purity flake graphite as the primary materials. They are formed under high pressure, utilizing a resin binder and compound antioxidant. These bricks possess low porosity, excellent high-temperature strength, corrosion resistance, and spalling resistance. Customers can choose different brands of magnesia carbon bricks based on smelting conditions, whether it’s for the slag line, impact zone, or trunnion. GUNNING MASS Gunning mass is formulated with high-quality magnesia and magnesia calcium sand as the main ingredients, combined with compound binders. This material boasts strong adhesion, a low rebound rate, easy sintering, and exceptional erosion resistance. It is well-suited for spray repair maintenance of the converter’s trunnion and slag line. ZTM’s Refractory Material Solutions ZTM’s converter R&D team is dedicated to enhancing converter longevity, reducing production costs, and increasing profitability for customers. Our comprehensive refractory material solutions include permanent lining magnesia bricks, working lining magnesia carbon bricks, tap hole bricks, and various gunning materials. We capitalize on our proximity to magnesia mines to ensure the highest quality refractory materials for converters. Moreover, our technical team provides customers with continuous after-sales support, offering professional technical guidance during installation and usage to extend the converter’s service life. Our experienced R&D team can design and customize a complete set of converter refractories tailored to customer site conditions. Simultaneously, our steelmaking technical team offers support in various aspects, such as slag splashing, to enhance BOF refractory performance. With years of rich experience, we are committed to serving customers from around the world. Join us in enhancing your steelmaking converters with top-notch refractory materials and tailored solutions.

A Comprehensive Guide to Ladle Refractories: Top 5 Types and Characteristics

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In the steelmaking process of the iron and steel industry, ladle refractories play a vital role. They not only provide good furnace lining for high temperature smelting, but also protect the furnace body and improve smelting efficiency. In this article, we will introduce the types, characteristics, functions and application scenarios of ladle refractories in detail. Types Characteristics of Ladle Refractory Materials There are various types of refractory materials used in ladles, each designed to serve specific purposes. Here are some of the most common types: AL₂O₃-MGO-C brick AL₂O₃-MGO-C brick is made of calcined magnesia, calcined corundum, and large flake graphite as the main raw materials, with resin as the binder. This type of brick has the advantages of resistance to slag erosion, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance, and is mainly used for the walls and bottom of steel ladles. MGO-C BRICK FOR LADLE MGO-C brick for ladle is made of high quality magnesium oxide and flake graphite by pressing. It has excellent slag and molten steel erosion resistance, volume stability and good thermal shock stability, and is suitable for the smelting of ordinary carbon and high carbon steels. SLIDE GATE The slide gate has low impurity and maintains stable quality. Its good performance in terms of strength, erosion resistance, and thermal shock resistance enables the slide gates to cast multiple ladles of molten steel. UPPER NOZZLE & LOWER NOZZLE The upper nozzle and lower nozzle of the ladle supplied by our company are made of corundum and spinel as the main raw materials, with phenolic resin serving as the binder. The product exhibits excellent thermal shock stability, high-temperature strength, and strong resistance to steel erosion. PURGING PLUG & WELL BLOCK The purging plug and well block are made of chrome corundum and other materials, and they are installed at the bottom of the ladle, serving as important functional components. They feature a stable structure, a wide range of air permeability, easy adjustment of gas flow, a high blowing rate, resistance to scouring and erosion, and a long service life. Roles of Ladle Refractory Materials： Ladle refractory materials serve several critical functions in the steelmaking process: Protecting the steel ladle lining: During the steelmaking process, the lining of the steel ladle is subject to erosion from the high-temperature furnace slag and molten steel. Using refractory materials for steel ladles can effectively protect the lining from damage, improving the service life of the steel ladle. Enhancing resistance to furnace slag erosion: In a converter or electric arc furnace, the high-temperature slag erosion of the steel ladle is inevitable. Using refractory materials for steel ladles can enhance resistance to slag erosion and reduce damage to the lining of the steel ladle. Improving the quality of molten steel: Refractory materials for steel ladles have a lower杂质 content and better thermal stability, which can reduce the content of impurities in molten steel and improve its purity and quality. Reducing energy consumption: By using refractory materials for steel ladles, it can reduce fluctuations in the temperature of molten steel during the steelmaking process, lower energy consumption, and improve steelmaking efficiency. In conclusion With the continuous progress and development of the steel industry, the demand for high efficiency, energy saving and environmental protection is increasing. With its continuous innovation spirit and strong R&D strength, ZTM Refractory Materials will continue to lead technological innovation in the field of ladle refractories to meet the ever-increasing demands of the industry.