Effect of Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes Incorporated on Refractory Castables

Two different types of multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were introduced in a calcium aluminate refractory castable used in steelmaking process. The first MWCNT was purchased from Cheap Tubes (USA), a hydroxyl (-OH) functionalized, outer diameter of 50-80 nm, length of 10-20 μm, and, the second one was supplied by Nanocyl (Belgium), not functionalized, outer diameter of 9.5 nm, and length of 1.5 μm. Both types of MWCNT were incorporated into the dry castable mixture before water addition. The workability and properties of the final product, such as apparent density, apparent porosity and hot modulus of rupture were evaluated. The nanocarbons were characterized by SEM, TEM, TGA and Raman spectroscopy. In both cases, the incorporation of MWCNT had a negative effect on the rheology of wet castables, decreasing their workability. No significant improvements on mechanical properties of the castables were observed with the incorporation until MWCNT concentration reached 0.15 % (m/m), except for the increase of hot modulus of rupture observed for Cheap Tubes MWCNT introduction.