Intermediate linings generally consist of an insulation layer (made of lightweight bricks or insulating materials), a permanent layer (bricks or castable refractory), and a working lining (coating or insulation board). In the mid-1970s, the permanent lining was still mainly constructed using clay bricks. In the early 1980s, monolithic refractory materials of different materials began to …

Performance indicators of refractory materials for tundish linings and comparison of domestic and foreign materials Read More »

Carbon-based refractories are a new type of refractory material developed in the late 1970s. By leveraging graphite’s high refractoriness and low wettability, they significantly enhance the high-temperature performance and erosion resistance of refractories. They exhibit excellent thermal shock stability, slag resistance, spalling resistance, and resistance to high-temperature creep. Aluminum-magnesium-carbon bricks are carbon-based refractories with an …

How do the primary raw materials in aluminum-magnesium-carbon bricks and magnesium-carbon bricks affect their properties? Read More »

Many people who buy refractory castables don’t know how to construct them correctly (see the Refractory Castable Construction Standard), what the procedures are, and what details to pay attention to during construction. As a result, the service life of refractory castables is short and problems occur frequently. If you are still in this stage, quickly …

How to carry out the construction process of refractory castables Read More »

Furnace life, also known as lining life, refers to the total number of steel batches produced during a single operating cycle of a medium-frequency furnace lining, from the time it is put into service until it is replaced with a new lining. It serves as a comprehensive indicator of a medium-frequency furnace’s production performance. Therefore, …

Key factors for extending the service life of medium-frequency furnaces Read More »

In the modern non-ferrous metal processing industry (such as copper, aluminum, zinc, and their alloys), medium-frequency induction melting furnaces have gradually become the mainstay of the melting process due to their high efficiency, precision, and environmental friendliness. Below is a brief introduction to medium-frequency induction furnaces. While introducing this product, I think it’s worth mentioning …

Advantages and system configuration of medium-frequency induction furnaces Read More »

Currently, the refractory material primarily used for the working lining of continuous casting ladles is magnesium-based dry mix. This dry mix offers excellent resistance to erosion by high-iron and alkaline slag, a long service life, no contamination of molten steel, ease of installation, and ease of ladle removal and turning. It has gradually been adopted …

Improve the thermal insulation properties of magnesium-based dry mixes and reduce the consumption of refractory materials per ton of steel Read More »

1.Clay brick Clay bricks are refractory materials with an Al₂O₃ content of 30% to 48%, made using fired clay aggregates and refractory clay (plastic or semi-plastic clay) as a binder. They are the most widely used and highest-volume refractory products. The properties of clay products vary significantly, due to differences in their chemical composition and …

Several commonly used types of refractory bricks: clay bricks, high-alumina bricks, and lightweight refractory bricks Read More »

Electric arc furnace Broadly speaking, electric steelmaking furnaces include electric arc furnaces, induction furnaces, electroslag furnaces, and electron beam furnaces. Conventional electric furnace steel refers to steel produced in basic electric arc furnaces, hence this paper focuses on electric arc furnaces (EAFs). EAFs are categorized into direct current electric arc furnaces (DC-EAF) and alternating current …

Main types of electric steel furnaces and smelting processes Read More »

Refractory materials fall under the category of inorganic non-metallic materials and serve as indispensable foundational materials for high-temperature industries. They are primarily applied in sectors such as steel, building materials, non-ferrous metals, machinery, and petrochemicals. The advancement of these industries is inseparable from progress in refractory materials. The refractory materials industry has become a fundamental …

Technical performance requirements for 25 common raw materials used in refractories Read More »

Through analyzing factors affecting ladle service life and safety performance, measures were implemented to enhance both aspects. These included optimizing refractory brick materials, reinforcing critical areas during ladle construction, conducting precise online measurements of residual refractory thickness, refining the composition and structure of ladle refining slag, and applying ladle safety protection technologies. The average total …

Optimization and practical implementation of ladle life and safety protection Read More »

The high-temperature performance of the lining in medium-frequency coreless induction furnaces primarily depends on the physical and chemical properties, as well as the mineral composition, of the refractory materials used. Given the selection of raw and auxiliary materials, the sintering process is the critical step for achieving a favorable microstructure in the furnace lining, thereby …

Refractory lining construction techniques for extending the service life of Medium-frequency furnace linings Read More »

In 2021, China’s domestic steel production reached 1.33667 billion tons, marking a 0.9% year-on-year increase. Continuous casting accounted for over 98% of total output. However, the Chinese steel industry continues to grapple with the dilemma of “excessive low-end capacity and insufficient high-end capacity.” Currently, on one hand, Chinese steel enterprises are experiencing declining profit margins …

Advances in tundish metallurgical technology for clean steelmaking Read More »

The continuous casting tundish not only stabilizes and diverts flow but is also crucial for the cleanliness, temperature distribution, and operational stability of the molten steel. The life of the stopper tundish in continuous casting determines the number of continuous casting furnaces per ladle. Due to its unstable lifespan, the stopper tundish can be short, …

Practice of long-life billet stopper tundish Read More »

1.Importance and maintenance of converter lining The converter lining is a crucial component of the converter, maintaining the molten steel temperature within it within a high temperature range of 1620-1680°C. During its service life, the lining must withstand complex mechanical erosion and chemical attack from hot molten steel, airflow, and slag, creating a harsh operating …

Maintenance strategy and design optimization of converter lining and key components Read More »

The integrated taphole plug is one of the most critical control components in continuous casting operations. Installed within the ladle, it works in conjunction with the internal submerged nozzle or the ladle top nozzle to regulate molten steel flow from the ladle to the mold. This ensures stable flow surfaces within the mold and maintains …

Common causes of ladle plug reversal or failure to seal the spout Read More »

The application of top-bottom combined blowing technology and slag splashing technology in converters has expanded converter smelting products and significantly improved quality and production efficiency. However, tapping, the final step in the converter steelmaking process, has become a crucial factor influencing smelting quality, output, and product variety. The service life, replacement time, and repair life …

Development and application of new converter taphole repair material Read More »

Currently, most continuous casting shrouds in domestic steel mills are used directly without preheating. Upon contact with the molten steel at the start of pouring, the inner surface of the shroud instantly rises to the molten steel’s temperature, while the outer surface, exposed to the atmosphere, is much cooler. This generates significant thermal stress within …

Requirements for submerged nozzles and anti-clogging improvement measures Read More »

Overview of bottom-blown air-permeable bricks Since the 1960s, the ladle secondary refining process has been used by various steel producers. Production practice has proven that secondary smelting in the ladle is difficult without effective inert gas treatment. Initial inert gas stirring was achieved using a top-blown argon lance, but its stirring effect was significantly limited, …

Requirements for physical and chemical indicators of bottom-blown air bricks and base bricks for refining ladles Read More »

Current status and problems faced by cord steel Cord steel is made from specialized high-carbon steel wire rods, drawn multiple times to form fine steel wires with unit diameters ranging from 0.15 to 0.38 mm. These wires are then twisted into strands to form a steel wire product. Tires with a metal mesh made of …

Advantages and disadvantages of refractory materials for smelting ladle Read More »

The ladle (or steel ladle) carries the dual tasks of transporting molten steel and performing refining outside the furnace. With the advancement of steelmaking technology, my country’s ladle refractory materials have also made great progress. Especially since the 1980s, my country’s refractory research institutions, production enterprises, and end-users have worked closely together, taking into account …

Detailed classification of 5 common refractory materials for ladle Read More »