A ceramic material made to stay solid and load-bearing at high temperature, generally with a softening point above about 1500 C, and to stand up to the slag, molten metal, hot gas and abrasion inside a furnace or kiln. Refractories are classed by chemistry (acid, neutral, basic), by form (shaped bricks or unshaped monolithics) and by job (dense working linings or insulating backup). Steelmaking uses the largest share, followed by cement, glass, nonferrous metals and petrochemicals.
Refractory bill for the ladle fleet went up 20 percent this year, find out if it's price or lining life.
Plant people say refractory as a noun for the whole lining, as in the refractory is shot, not just for the material on the pallet.
Also heard as
- refractories
- refractory lining
Related terms
Basic refractory
Refractory based on magnesia, lime or dolomite that resists basic slags with high lime-to-silica ratios.
Monolithic
Unshaped refractory supplied as a mix and installed in place to form a jointless lining.
Working lining
Innermost refractory layer in contact with the process, designed to wear and be replaced on a schedule.
Refractoriness
Ability of a material to withstand high temperature without softening or melting.