Refractory material: types, properties, application

Refractory material is always produced on the basis of mineral raw materials. In the process of using construction or industrial refractory materials, as well as during long-term operation in their structure, no changes occur. It is for this "fireproof" is often used in various fields of activity, having the confidence that the design will turn out to be reliable and durable.

Properties of refractory materials

Presented materials are used in everyday life in many areas. Refractory material is used in a variety of metallurgical processes. This includes melting, annealing, roasting, evaporation and distillation. Also do not forget that the presented materials retain their original properties even when processed by high temperatures.

Refractories that were previously used in production and require re-processing are called scrap. Such materials are most often recycled, creating a new product. It is the refractory material that differs from others in its high strength at high temperature, as well as in chemical inertness. As for the composition, the presented materials are ceramic mixtures of refractory oxide, silicate, carbide, nitride, and also boride.

Classification of refractories in shape and size

Refractory material can be classified according to the following forms and generally accepted dimensions:

1. Wedge refractories of normal size.
2. Direct materials of small and huge formats.
3. Simple shaped.
4. Particularly complex.
5. Large-block materials, which have a mass of more than 60 kilograms.
6. Special refractories for laboratory or industrial use. This includes pipes, crucibles.

Classification of refractories by the method of formation

It is possible to single out the main types of refractory materials by the method of formation:

1. Hot pressing materials.
2. Thermoplastic pressed.
3. Cast melted refractories from the melt, which are obtained by electric smelting.
4. Materials of semi-dry formation, obtained from powder.
5. Plastic molding refractories, which are manufactured with the help of a special mass in the plastic state. For this purpose, special machine molding and subsequent prepressing are used.
6. Cast refractories, which are obtained by casting from a liquid slip, as well as foam-scraper.
7. Saws are refractories made of natural rock or pre-made blocks.

What should be used for furnace equipment?

Refractory material for the furnace will be an excellent option that can be used in construction. All this became possible thanks to a unique complex of chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. The presented material is able to withstand the effects of high temperature, and most importantly, that even in the event of a fire, it will not melt and change its shape.

For the construction of the furnace, high-refractory materials of higher values can be used. By their properties they have a low porosity. During production, a specially designed technology is used, so the refractory material for the furnace is able to withstand high temperature conditions.

The manufacturing process begins with obtaining a powder that has a certain particle size distribution. Such unique properties can provide a small volume reduction during processing.

Advantages and scope of fire-resistant drywall

Refractory sheet materials are used most often for construction. Today, there is a great demand for fireproof gypsum board, which is a double sheet of cardboard and gypsum filler. During production, a dense and extremely elastic construction board is used, which includes a large number of layers.

Also, do not forget about a certain technology for making gypsum heat-resistant core. Refractory sheet drywall can be used for a variety of production facilities, where there is a characteristic unstable level of humidity, and also recorded increased temperature. Refractory sheet materials and fireproof types of drywall have many advantages:

• Increased fire resistance.
• Excellent indicators of sound insulation, especially if you use drywall in combination with other special building materials.
• Low cost, easy installation, and easy to use.
• Small dimensions of fire-resistant plates, which exactly match the dimensions of a sheet of the standard type. It is these features that, if necessary, combine them in one room.
• Minimal acidity level.

What are the refractory materials for building walls?

Refractory materials for walls are presented in a large assortment. Especially popular is refractory concrete, which is an excellent and safe material. It is able to withstand high temperature conditions.

Such an article has a total porosity of 45 percent or more. In this case, its main purpose is to use it as a thermal insulation. Cement is a fine unshaped refractory, which has the property of hardening after mixing the powder and liquid. Increasingly, people buy just such construction mixtures.

Recently, other refractory materials for walls, for example, concrete mass, coating material, concrete mix, and many others have appeared on the construction market.

How are refractories made?

The process of production of fire-resistant materials begins with careful preparation of the necessary raw materials. Workers at the factory manually select all kinds of foreign impurities. The next stage is grinding, sieving, and also preparing the mixture. Thus it is necessary to adhere to strict dosage of all components.

The most important point at the time of manufacture is the formation, drying, roasting, and selection. In any case, the production of refractory materials must begin with the selection of the optimum raw materials. It must be enriched and crushed. It should be noted that raw materials are of two types - natural and artificial, which is selected in accordance with the compatibility of chemical and mineralogical compositions. Particular attention is paid to the structure of raw materials for further production.

Refractory bricks for building baths

At the planning stage of construction it is necessary to carefully choose refractory materials for the bath. In no case should they expand during strong heating, and also deform. As an example, we can mention the fact that during the laying of the furnace the metal is used only in strictly designated places. That is, where its ability to expand will not affect the strength of the entire structure.

During construction, each person should remember that ordinary clay red bricks can not withstand sufficiently high temperature conditions. They will melt and eventually crumble. This is why all the places that are exposed to a high temperature to varying degrees should be laid out exclusively with fireproof bricks.

A large number of people are aware of the unique properties of refractory materials that can withstand even the maximum heat. Refractory brick has a yellowish-sand color and a granular structure. In the market it is presented in a rectangular and wedge shape. That is, distinguish between the face and the edge brick.

The presented brick is placed solely on a marmel, which is a mixture of chamotte and refractory clay. All the seams, consisting of a stench, can also withstand high temperature conditions (up to 1700 degrees Celsius). Over time, they will not crumble and deform.

Classification of refractory materials by porosity

The material has its own porosity, so each species was assigned a special classification:

• The special density includes an open porosity of up to 3 percent.
• High density indicators - up to 10 percent.
• Dense materials have an open porosity of up to 16 percent.

Further it is possible to allocate:

• Sealed.
• Medium-density materials.
• Low-density.
• Products with high porosity.
• Ultraporous materials.

Production features

The process of forming the submitted materials is carried out using the method of semi-dry or hot pressing. For work, plastic molding, casting, vibro-casting, and also sawing can be applied. Pre-work blocks or rocks are harvested.

In the process of manufacturing lightweight refractory materials, manufacturers use gas injection, burn-out additives and many other methods. Unshaped materials are most often hardened by the introduction of a mineral or organic binder. It is possible to distinguish the nature of heat treatment - these are calcined materials and are non-burning. It is worth noting that the overall temperature of heat treatment of a non-burnt material should not exceed 600 degrees Celsius. If further firing is required, it is necessary to combine the heating of the heat unit where this or that material is used.

For calcined refractory material, the overall treatment temperature should be greater than 600 degrees Celsius. Only in this way can achieve all the necessary physical and chemical properties.