Microstructure and physical properties of a mullite brick in blast furnace hearth: influence of temperature

Abstract

Mullite brick is one of the most extensively utilized blast furnace hearth lining materials that feature several advantageous properties. In this study, the microstructure and physical properties of a mullite brick under different thermal treatment temperatures were investigated. The results showed that the temperature could not influence the micro-morphology of the mullite aggregate, but it directly affects the microstructure of the mullite matrix. With the increase in temperature, the degree of bonding of fine grains gets higher and the bonding body becomes smooth in the matrix. The bulk density changes little after different thermal treatments. With the increase in temperature, the compressive strength and modulus of rupture increase, which are beneficial for the mullite brick to the washing resistance of slag/iron. The permanent linear values of mullite brick are negative and relatively small under different thermal treatment temperatures, reflecting an excellent performance of the volume stability of mullite brick.

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