Methods for Quickly Assessing the Quality of Refractory Bricks
2023-08-19
Methods for Quickly Assessing the Quality of Refractory Bricks
Visual Inspection: Examine the surface of several refractory bricks. It's normal to see some black spots on the surface of refractory bricks, as they are inevitable. However, the presence of more black spots indicates a higher level of impurities, leading to poorer quality and performance. Bricks with more impurities have a shorter lifespan when used in brick lining applications. Check the edges and corners of the bricks for missing pieces and inspect the surface for cracks.
Tactile Examination: Gently touch the surface of the refractory bricks and assess their texture. High-quality refractory bricks should feel smooth and even, with uniform and vibrant color distribution. In contrast, lower-quality refractory bricks may feel rough, crumble easily, and have uneven color distribution.
Weight Measurement: Each refractory brick has specific dimensions, and manufacturers provide physical and chemical indicators for each type of brick, including volume density values. Multiply the volume density by the dimensions of the brick to calculate its weight. Check the weight of several bricks using an electronic scale to determine if they meet the specifications.
Classification of Refractory Brick Materials
Refractory bricks can be classified based on their refractoriness:
Ordinary refractory products (1580°C to 1770°C)
High-grade refractory products (1770°C to 2000°C)
Special-grade refractory products (above 2000°C)
According to shape and size, they can be divided into:
Standard shapes
Irregular shapes
Unique shapes
Large unique shapes
Special items like crucibles, dishes, and tubes for laboratory and industrial use.
Classification by forming process includes:
Slurry casting products
Plastic forming products
Semi-dry pressing products
Products formed by compacting powdered non-plastic materials
Products cast from molten materials
Classification by chemical mineral composition includes:
Silica materials
Silica-alumina materials
Magnesia materials
Dolomite materials
Chromium materials
Carbon materials
Zirconium materials
Specialty refractory materials
According to chemical characteristics, they can be divided into:
Acidic, neutral, and alkaline refractory bricks.
Classification by application includes:
Refractory bricks for the steel industry
Refractory bricks for the cement industry
Refractory bricks for the glass industry
Refractory bricks for the non-ferrous metal industry
Refractory bricks for the power industry, etc.
Classification by manufacturing method includes:
Sintered products
Electrically fused products
Prefabricated cast products
Fiber-folded products
Effective Methods for Identifying Refractory Brick Quality
Inspect Impurity Proportion: Observe the surface of the refractory bricks. A rough surface with a high proportion of black spots indicates more impurities and lower quality.
Sintering Experiment: Conduct a high-temperature test at the manufacturing facility to check whether the sintering index matches the standard. This helps ensure the quality of the refractory bricks.
These methods provide practical ways to assess the quality of refractory bricks based on factors such as impurity content, sintering performance, and manufacturing standards.
