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Vol 11, Issue 1, 2016
Pages: 9 - 9
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Published: 21.04.2016. Keynote paper Keynote papers

NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN THE FIELD OF REFRACTORY MATERIALS

By
Christian Majcenovic
Christian Majcenovic
Contact Christian Majcenovic

RHI AG, Technology Center , Leoben , Austria

Abstract

Refractory demand is driven by growth in emerging markets, new processing technologies 
and products in the customers industries mainly iron and steel, cement, lime, non-ferrous 
metals, glass, environmental, chemical and energy industry. The need for high-quality 
refractory solutions for particular applications is steadily rising. Steel industry reports about 
approximately 75% new steel grades developed in the past 20 years. This results in a 
potentially high need for refractory innovations only in this particular application in iron and 
steel industry where about 70% of all refractories are used. To meet steadily increasing 
requirements innovative refractory material, refractory design or complete system solutions 
including machinery are necessary. The main development targets are performance 
improvement, safety and ergonomics optimization, environmental issues and governmental 
regulations, improvement of the customers product quality and to rise the customers 
production capacity. In this context also the total cost of ownership comprising costs for 
refractory material, energy, repair and maintenance have to be taken into consideration. 
Accurate fact finding and understanding of frame conditions at the customer is indispensable 
for successful projects. To reach the target of innovative refractories lining solutions highly 
sophisticated development tools, starting at computerized simulation tools, customized 
structural designs, macroscopic design studies and water modelling up to chemical, physical, 
microscopic and technological evaluation of the new material properties are used. The 
presentation provides selected examples for new refractory technologies which cover 
functional products such as purging plugs or materials for flow control like a new generation 
of slide gate systems and monoblock stoppers. Included are also new lining design solutions 
for the steel ladle to increase the steel yield and tundish flow modifier for optimization of 
steel flow behavior as well as examples for new refractory material developments for steel 
and cement industry.

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