The WRA (World Refractory Association) has uploaded a video explaining the importance of refractory materials in our day to day. It is a very illustrative video for those people who do not know the strategic aspects of this sector.
Did you know that our day to day life would be unimaginable if refractory products did not exist?
And, what are reafractory products?
Let’s take the example of a car: it is made with steel, copper, glass, aluminum and plastics, among others. These materials are manufactured at very high temperatures. For example, iron is melted in an oven and transformed into steel by processes that reach 2,000 °C. In order that the walls of the furnace are not affected by these temperatures, they have a coating of refractory material. In the same way, these coatings are also used for the manufacture of glass, copper, aluminum and plastics.
And how do you get refractory materials to withstand such high temperatures? What are they made of? And how are they manufactured?
It starts from diverse raw materials of alumina or magnesia base that are baked in special ovens up to 1,800ºC, and this process makes the refractory properties appear. The refractory material can be supplied as non-conformed or shaped.
How are these refractory materials used?
The refractory material is transported and installed in the facilities of our customers. For the installation, a specialized refractory company is required.
And, how long can these installed refractory materials withstand such high temperatures?
The life time of the coatings usually depends on the industry, since they work at different temperatures. In the steel industry, the material usually lasts from a few hours to a few weeks, while in the glass industry it can last up to 10 years.
Once the coating has worn out, it is removed and recycled when possible.
The refractory industry covers the entire cycle, from the extraction of raw materials, to recycling.
Visit the WRA website (World Refractory Association) by clicking here.
