Acceptance tests for steelworks refractories

Abstract

Refractories represent a substantial part of the costs of converting iron into steel, varying greatly from a few sihillings to more than £1 sterling/ton of steel. Their qualty is, therefore, of considerable importance : even a 10% improvement represents a substantial saving. Equally important, any serious deterioration, involving, say, the premature collapse of a furnace roof, or the breakout of steel through a hearth, not only means extra cost but frequently a plant stoppage. The quantities of materials involved are illustrated by figures given for the third Five Year Plan' for India.