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[February 2009]
CERAM Publishes Refractories White Paper
A white paper published by CERAM, a global expert in refractory materials analysis, testing and consultancy, has revealed that refractory failure is frequently the result of poor specification of refractory materials. CERAM’s research highlights areas where refractory failures can occur, and describes the best ways to select materials and implement a comprehensive test programme. The guidelines in the white paper feature examples in the petrochemical industry but the guidance given is also of relevance to the glass, iron/steel, cement and enviro/energy industries.Purchasing Monolithic Refractory Materials describes the ideal life cycle of a refractory lining and, importantly, highlights the main categories of premature refractory failure. It provides best practice guidelines for choosing a materials supplier and placing orders for a refractory replacement project. It also describes a typical test programme for refractory materials and then details how material for the testing procedures should be prepared and how the tests are performed.
The author of the white paper, Jan Theron, explains how following these purchase guidelines and using the test programme is helping to reduce failures in refractory linings: “Users of refractory materials should be very cautious about what they buy and how they buy it. CERAM is often called in when a refractory failure has already occurred and during our investigations we look at all possible causes for failure. These post-failure costs are significantly higher than the costs of testing before installation. Following the simple guidelines for purchasing and testing refractory materials, as described in the white paper, substantially reduces the likelihood of costly failure following installation.”
With more than one hundred years’ combined experience, CERAM is a leading refractory materials analysis company offering refractory expertise, high temperature testing and modelling. With extensive experience in the field of refractories, CERAM provides a unique combination of consultancy, materials testing and training to a range of high temperature industries including glass, cement, petrochemical, iron/steel and environment/energy.
The white paper is available as a free download at: www.ceram.com/refractories
ENDS