Production of Forsterite Refractories using Serpentine and Dunite as raw materials: Part I- Development of suitable refractory compositions using Serpentine and Dunite as raw materials

The investigation aims at developing forsterite refractories, using serpentine and Dunite as raw materials. Serpentine from Ramla and Talagutta mines, Singhbhum District, Bihar and Dunite from Chalk Hills, Salem District, Madras have been used in the study. The mineralogical changes taking place in the raw materials at various temperatures has been studied, without and with additions of magnesite, to determine the amount of magnesite and the firing temperature necessary for the complete conversion of the magnesium silicate rocks to forsterite. The refractory properties of various compositions were also determined. On the basis of the data of the mineralogical studies and the refractory properties, suitable compositions were selected and grogs prepared for use in further studies.