Performance of linings of steel-teeming ladles with heat-insulating packings

Conclusions

An investigation of the performance of steel-teeming ladle linings with use of heat-insulating packings confirms the results of laboratory investigations concerning their significant inertness in comparison with slag. As a result of the use of schungisite gravel, the life of a heavy-duty ladle lining is doubled.

The refractory corrosion, which is nevertheless observed, is due to the fact that the melt on the metal surface contains a number of active oxides which come from both the residual and the secondary slag, and to a small extent from the packing. Some of these oxides are far more corrosive than iron oxides, although the latter penetrate intensely into the refractory via the binder. The viscosity of the melt formed is a significant factor. The highly viscous schungisite gravel melt corrodes a quartz-clay lining less than a chamotte Lining, although the latter has a higher density.

The use of an inert packing reduces the wear of the slag zone of the lining to a third, whereas the wear of the bottom remains high. This shows the need to increase the life of the bottom or replace it during service.