The first heating cycle of MgO-containing refractory castables is usually considered a challenge by the producers of such products due to the significant mass loss, associated with magnesium hydroxide decomposition between 350–450 °C, that might result in their spalling or even explosion.
The complex behaviour of refractory under thermal load and process conditions poses many challenges for engineers. While the use of thermomechanical analysis assuming either linear elastic conditions or non-linear fracture mechanics bases (brittle/plastic failure behaviour) is valuable, results can still lead to incorrect conclusions.
In this study the microstructure and properties development of nitride bonded SiC refractories is reported in presence of MgO in laboratory and industrial scales.
Basic oxygen furnace (BOF) or LD converter is a relatively cheap process for refining iron into steel.