Production of silica-aluminous fire bricks with chamotte produced at low temperature

• Grant number: 04/09183-1
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: May 01, 2005
• End date: May 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Arnaldo Carlos Morelli
• Grantee: Arnaldo Carlos Morelli
• Company: Deflotec Indústria e Comércio de Produtos Refratários Ltda. - ME
• City: São Carlos

Abstract

There has been a growing demand for silica-aluminous and aluminous firebricks for medium and low duty applications in important industrial segments. The small profit margin in current silica-aluminous bricks, for medium to low duty use, has limited their availability on the market, which obliges the user to use products of a higher aggregate value and, consequently, to end up with higher costs. In the light of this, this project proposes, in its first phase, a broad study to establish the production conditions of the firebricks of the classes mentioned, at low cost and of good quality. For its sole component, what could be called chamotte should be used, which is produced at low temperature, and is then directly pressed and fired, giving the classes referred to. This proposal is based on positive preliminary tests which need to be more closely checked, under the umbrella of normalized trials of a greater range of possible compositions. The development of this technology should result in an important innovation, considering that the immediate benefit from its implementation will involve the abolition of common stages in the conventional processing of refractory aggregates, such as chamotte pre-firing (1300- 1500ºC), its milling and granulometric separation. The refractories to be produced by the proposed new route will certainly offer a more homogeneous aspect and more uniform texture, retaining the attributes of conventionally produced refractories, intended for similar applications. (AU)