Modification of particle interface in MgO-C refractory

The interface between the particles of a MgO-C refractory was modified by applying an inorganic binder to prevent the deterioration of its thermal and mechanical properties owing to carbon oxidation. MgO powder, antioxidants, and graphite were uniformly mixed with resol resin to fabricate the MgO-C refractory. The mixture was molded via uniaxial compression, cured at 200 degrees C for 2 h, and immersed in an inorganic binder. Subsequently, changes in the properties of the MgO-C refractory were observed after drying at 100 degrees C and heat treatment at 1400 degrees C. The inorganic binder was added as a liquid precursor for efficient penetration into the refractory. This inorganic precursor penetrates between MgO particle gaps and acts as a binder at the interface after heat treatment. In addition, single- and multi-component systems were applied to verify the effect of the inorganic precursor as a binder, which significantly improved the refractory properties by producing amorphous or crystalline phases between the particles after heat treatment. The fracture strength of the refractory dipped in a multicomponent inorganic binder improved by 6 similar to 10-fold, and for the single-component inorganic binder, the thermal expansion of the refractory decreased by twofold.