The Refractory Failed … Or Did It?
Sometimes a refractory fails. From our perspective (as installers) the most important question is: “What caused the refractory to prematurely fail?” A majority of the time, the cause is not immediately known. An investigation is required. And even then a “conclusive” reason may never be found. But here is what our experience has shown us. It Usually Isn’t Simple When…Read More ›
A Primer on the Basic Physical Properties of a Refractory Product
A refractory’s physical properties are listed on its data sheet and provide an indication of how the refractory should perform under different operating conditions. While technical data sheets should never be considered as the only basis for selecting refractory, the refractory’s physical makeup is an important element to consider. Let’s take a look at the properties: 1. Bulk Density The…Read More ›
An Alternative Refractory Hot-face Lining Reduces Electricity Consumption by 10%
This Case Study Outlines How F.S. Sperry Reduced the Electricity Consumption Requirements of the Aluminum Holding Furnace Equipment at a Global Die Casting Company Challenge: It’s no secret that manufacturers have been feeling a constant pressure on profit margins, both abroad and in the United States. In the die cast industry, the ever-increasing cost of electricity has created a downward pressure on…Read More ›
If the Instructions Are Right on the Bag, Can Anyone Install Refractory?
Some people think refractories are a commodity. Why do you need an expert installer when the mixing instructions are stamped right on the bag? After all “mud is mud” right? Wrong! It’s a common assumption, and we field a lot of calls from folks who used to think that way. Here are the typical questions we hear: Why didn’t my…Read More ›
Interpreting a Refractory Technical Datasheet
In our last post, we talked about the role of the refractory technical datasheet in the selection process. Today we’re going to share a datasheet and discuss how we evaluate them. Let’s start out by reviewing a datasheet. This is for Plibrico’s Plicast HyMOR 3100 Special KK. (And thanks to our partner Plibrico for contributing to this post). There’s a…Read More ›