Study of the Influence of Andalusite on Properties of 60 % Al2O3-Based Bricks for Steel Plants

60 % Al2O3-based high alumina bricks are used in different areas of steel plants. In the Rourkela Steel plant, these bricks are used in the working lining of reheating furnaces and sinter plant furnaces. The primary requirement of the refractory is high thermal shock resistance in these areas. A laboratory investigation was carried out to study the influence of andalusite on the thermo-mechanical properties of 60 % Al2O3-based bricks. The effects of the amount of andalusite on the phase composition and microstructure of the refractory were investigated by XRD and FESEM. The results revealed that a higher percentage of andalusite provides better physical properties because of the higher mullite content in it. Phase analysis by XRD and microstructure analysis by FESEM proved the presence of mullite as major phase in the end product.