Structure and properties of lightweight magnesia refractory castables with porous matrix

Abstract To improve the energy-saving capacity of magnesia refractory castables for working lining of high-temperature kilns, this study presents the researches on microstructure and properties of lightweight magnesia refractory castables with porous matrix fabricated by direct foaming method. The results show that formation of closed-pores in the matrix significantly enhanced high-temperature thermal insulation performance of castables with minor changes of slag corrosion resistance. The thermal conductivity of the lightweight magnesia castables at 1000 °C was below 1.2 W/m·K, which is 47.8% lower than that of the referenced magnesia castable. The increasing content of SDS (foaming agent, over 0.02 wt%) led to increments of size and number of large-sized pores, resulting in the significantly decreased density and mechanical performances. The slag resistance mechanism reveals that, in addition to intergranular penetration, the accumulation of slag and penetration between adjacent pores were the major ways of slag mass transfer in lightweight magnesia castables. In conclusion, controlling the size (below 53.2 μm), number and distribution of closed-pores in the matrix is effective to realize the coupling of high thermal insulation, mechanical properties and slag resistance for lightweight magnesia castables used in the metallurgical field.