Linear Thermal Expansion Coefficients of Mullite‐Matrix Aluminosilicate Refractory Bodies

Abstract

Twenty‐seven mullite‐matrix aluminosilicate refractory bodies in three different refractory systems were synthesized and their thermal expansions were measured and then correlated with their corundum and mullite contents by regression analyses. Thermal expansion coefficients were also calculated from the physical properties of the individual constituent phases. It is concluded that the best estimator of the thermal expansion of these materials is the regression analysis based on the volume percentage mullite content and that those bodies based on tabular alumina aggregates are the most predictable. For the best predictions, only a single raw material system, or very similar raw material systems can be considered.