Forsterite refractory brick produced by talc and magnesite from Thailand

Abstract

This research focuses on refractory material synthesized from precursors of talc and magnesite in Thailand. They were mixed at a molar ratio of 1:5 with mechanical activation at 5 h and calcined at 1300 °C for 1 h to create forsterite. The resulting forsterite crystals were round with less than 1-μm particle size. Synthetic forsterite refractory was formed into refractory bricks and studied at various sintering temperatures of 1200, 1300, and 1400 °C with a dwell time of 2 h. The characteristics and properties of refractory samples were tested in physical properties, cold crushing strength, thermal conductivity, thermal shock, and corrosion resistance from various substances. The results showed that increasing the sintering temperature increases the physical properties and cold crushing strength values. Also, the sintering temperature increases will increase thermal conductivity. The best condition of forsterite refractory brick sintering was 1400 °C for 2 h (FB-14), which showed the following desirable properties: firing shrinkage of 18%, bulk density of 3.03 g/cm3, the apparent density of 3.26 g/cm3, both apparent porous and water absorption values of zero, and cold crushing strength of 72.18 MPa. The FB-14 brick has excellent resistance to corrosion and penetration from lead silicate frit and copper slag. There was minor weight loss from the corrosion of the chemical solutions used in sodium hexametaphosphate production, whereby weight loss will begin on the 18th cycle. Consequently, the FB-14 brick can be used for blast furnace walls to slow down corrosion, which will allow the blast furnace to have a longer life cycle.