When Purchasing Refractory Materials For Glass Melting Furnaces, What Physical Performance Indicators Should Be Considered

When purchasing refractory materials for glass melting furnaces, in addition to the high-temperature performance discussed earlier, their physical properties are also crucial. The physical properties of the product are closely related to its actual service life, and specific items to consider include:

1.Microstructure:

Porosity: Refractory materials typically contain various sizes and shapes of pores. Porosity is often categorized into open pores (or visible pores), connected pores, and closed pores. Porosity rate reflects the density of refractory materials, indicating the percentage of pore volume in the total volume of the brick. Lower porosity rates generally correspond to better erosion resistance and higher structural strength.

Bulk Density: This refers to the mass of refractory material per unit volume, including pores. It directly reflects the density of the refractory product and is a significant indicator of its quality. Higher bulk densities usually indicate lower porosity rates and better performance in terms of strength and resistance to high temperatures.

True Density: True density represents the ratio of the mass of porous materials to their true volume (excluding pores). It's related to the chemical mineral composition of refractory materials and is independent of porosity and density.

2.Thermal Properties:

Thermal Expansion: Refractory materials expand with increasing temperature. Thermal expansion properties are usually expressed using coefficients of linear or volumetric expansion. It's crucial to consider these properties when designing furnace structures to accommodate thermal expansion and prevent damage.

Thermal Conductivity: This property measures the ability of refractory materials to conduct heat and is represented by thermal conductivity. It depends on the material's chemical composition and microstructure.

Heat Capacity: Heat capacity, also known as specific heat capacity, refers to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of refractory material by one degree Celsius under constant pressure. It's significant for designing and controlling the heating process and heat storage capacity of furnaces.

These physical properties play essential roles in determining the performance and lifespan of refractory materials in glass melting furnaces. Therefore, they should be carefully evaluated when selecting refractory products for specific applications.