What Is Refractory?

One of a number of ceramic materials for use in high-temperature structures or equipment. The term high temperatures is somewhat indefinite but usually means above about 1830°F (1000°C), or temperatures at which, because of melting or oxidation, the common metals cannot be used. In some special high-temperature applications, the so-called refractory metals such as tungsten, molybdenum, and tantalum are used.

The greatest use of refractories is in the steel industry, where they are used for construction of linings of equipment such as blast furnaces, hot stoves, and open-hearth furnaces. Other important uses of refractories are for cement kilns, glass tanks, nonferrous metallurgical furnaces, ceramic kilns, steam boilers, and paper plants. Special types of refractories are used in rockets, jets, and nuclear power plants. Many refractory materials, such as aluminum oxide and silicon carbide, are also very hard and are used as abrasives; some applications, for example, aircraft brake linings, make use of both characteristics.

Refractory materials are commonly grouped into (1) those containing mainly aluminosilicates; (2) those made predominantly of silica; (3) those made of magnesite, dolomite, or chrome ore, termed basic refractories (because of their chemical behavior); and (4) a miscellaneous category usually referred to as special refractories. (source:http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Refractory+lining)

Usually, refractories require special heat-up techniques wich is called also DryOut to ensure that their performance will be attained as designed, and to avoid thermal shock and drying stresses until the operational status is achieved.

Find out what is Dryout or refractory dryout