TITLE:
Development of Insulating Refractory Ramming Mass from Some Nigerian Refractory Raw Materials
AUTHORS:
O. A. Olasupo, J. O. Borode
KEYWORDS:
Insulating Refractory, Nigerian Refractory Raw Materials
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.8 No.9,
September
20,
2009
ABSTRACT: Insulating refractory ramming mass was developed from suitable Nigerian refractory raw
materials. Rammed samples from several ratios of clay, silica, mica, bentonite and calcium
aluminate cement (Durax) were prepared using the American Foundrymen Society (AFS)
standard rammer. They were thereafter tested for such properties as apparent porosity, volumetric
firing shrinkage, cold compression strength, green compression strength, loss on ignition,
thermal shock resistance and refractoriness. Results indicate that eight ramming cycles were just
enough for the production of the ramming masses. Two optimal ratios obtained from the
experiments have a refractoriness of 1500℃ , good compression strength and excellent thermal
shock resistance. They are therefore recommended for lining of rotary furnaces and crucible
furnaces for the melting of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys. It could be concluded that the
ramming mass serve as a viable alternative to foreign ramming mass at the same temperature
application.