Experimental Characterization of Thermal Shock Resistance of Refractories Reinforced by Silicon-Carbide and Zirconia Particles

Abstract

Zirconia and Silicon-carbide based castable composites are both known to be reliable, high-temperature refractory materials, capable of withstanding damage caused by thermal shock. There exists a growing body of literature regarding micro-scale as well as macro-scale properties of each aforementioned type. In the present work, we have investigated these refractory castables using different volume fractions of ZrO2 and SiC particles and have made a comparison between their thermal shock responses. Equivalent homogeneous material properties including elastic modulus, crushing strength and modulus of rupture (MOR) are determined experimentally, and thermal shock experiments at 900°C are conducted to determine the effect of the compositions on the propensity of these castables to survive thermal shock. The experimental findings were compared to predictions made by thermal shock indices and the two were in good agreements. Applying thermal shock cycle in all cases showed a drop in strength and elastic modulus of the material.