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Refractories
What Are
Refractories?
The
Refractories Institute
Refractories are ceramic materials designed to withstand the
very high temperatures (in excess of 1,000°F [538°C]) encountered in modern
manufacturing.
More heat-resistant than metals, they are used to line the hot surfaces
found inside many industrial processes.
In addition to being resistant to thermal stress and other
physical phenomena induced by heat, refractories can withstand physical wear
and corrosion caused by chemical agents.
Thus, they are essential to the manufacture of petrochemical
products and the refining of gasoline.
Refractory products generally fall into one of two broad
categories: preformed shapes or unformed compositions, often called specialty
or monolithic refractories.
Then, there are refractory ceramic fibers, which resemble
residential insulation, but insulate at much higher temperatures.
Bricks and shapes are the more traditional form of refractories
and historically have accounted for the majority of refractory production.
Refractories come in all shapes and sizes. They can be pressed
or molded for use in floors and walls, produced in interlocking shapes and
wedges, or curved to fit the insides of boilers and ladles.
Some refractory parts are small and possess a complex and
delicate geometry; others, in the form of precast or fusion-cast blocks, are
massive and may weigh several tons.
What Are Refractories Made Of?
Refractories are
produced from natural and synthetic materials, usually nonmetallic, or
combinations of compounds and minerals such as alumina, fireclays, bauxite,
chromite, dolomite, magnesite, silicon carbide, and zirconia.
What Are Refractories Used For?
From the simple (e.g., fireplace brick linings) to the
sophisticated (e.g., reentry heat shields for the space shuttle), refractories
are used to contain heat and protect processing equipment from intense
temperatures.
In industry, they are used to line boilers and furnaces of all
types (reactors, ladles, stills, kilns, etc.).
It is a tribute to refractory engineers, scientists,
technicians, and plant personnel that more than 5,000 brand name products in
the United States are listed in the latest “Product Directory of the
Refractories Industry.”
Established in 1951 and
headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, The Refractories Institute (TRI) has a
long tradition of providing support and services to manufacturers of refractory
materials and products and suppliers of raw materials, equipment, and services
to the refractories industry.
In 1995, membership
eligibility was extended to refractories producers in Latin America. In 1996,
the institute’s board of directors voted to open membership to contractors and
installers of refractory products, recognizing the important role they play in
ensuring the ultimate success of a product.
TRI currently is comprised of 48 member companies, 24 of
which are manufacturers of refractory products.
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