Materials scienceLesson 1 of 2 in the course Ceramics and glass

Refractory Materials: Properties, Classification, and Selection

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Refractory materials make it possible to contain, process, and transport substances at very high temperatures. This lesson introduces what makes a material refractory, the properties required in service, and the applications where refractories are essential.

A refractory is a material that resists decomposition by heat or chemical attack while retaining strength and rigidity at high temperatures. Refractories are inorganic and non-metallic. They may be porous or non-porous, and may be crystalline, polycrystalline, amorphous, or composite.

All flashcards

What is a refractory?
A non-metallic material designed to withstand high-temperature environments while retaining useful physical and chemical stability.
How does a refractory differ from a refractory metal?
A refractory is non-metallic; a refractory metal is an elemental metal or alloy with a high melting temperature.
What does thermal shock mean for refractory materials?
Thermal shock is damage caused by rapid temperature change.
What is the defining feature of a monolithic refractory?
It has no prescribed shape before application and acquires its shape during installation.
What does a pyrometric cone equivalent (PCE) test measure?
It measures a refractory's softening behavior at high temperature without load.

Quiz questions

  1. How do acidic refractories generally behave when exposed to acidic and basic materials?Answer: They generally resist acidic materials but are attacked by basic materials.
  2. Which composition defines magnesite refractories in the stated classification?Answer: At least 85% magnesium oxide.
  3. What distinguishes a monolithic refractory from a preformed refractory brick?Answer: A monolithic refractory takes shape during installation.
  4. A refractory with a fusion temperature of 2,100 °C belongs to which fusion-temperature class?Answer: Super refractory.
  5. A refractory with a PCE value of 35 falls into which duty classification?Answer: Super duty.

Based on the Wikipedia article Refractory, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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