Refractory Brick Composition for Steel Ladle Slag Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current refractory materials used in steel ladle linings are susceptible to cost fluctuations due to market demand, shipping costs, and currency exchange rates, and lack optimal slag resistance and cost-effectiveness for barrel portions.

Innovation Solution

A refractory material comprising 45% to 95% magnesia, 1% to 20% carbon, and 4% to 45% aluminous chamotte, with non-basic aggregates like aluminous chamotte, silica, and titania, is developed for use in the barrel portions of steel ladles, offering improved slag resistance and cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If magnesia-carbon bricks are used in the slagline area, then slag resistance is improved, but cost increases due to material composition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslag resistanceVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using magnesia-carbon bricks specifically in the slagline area where slag resistance is critical, while using alumina-magnesia-carbon bricks in the barrel area where cost-effectiveness is prioritized. This localized material selection optimizes both performance and cost by matching material properties to specific functional requirements of different ladle zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite refractory materials with specific compositions: magnesia-carbon bricks for the slagline (providing superior slag resistance) and alumina-magnesia-carbon bricks for the barrel (providing balanced performance and cost). These composite materials combine different oxide phases to achieve targeted properties for specific application areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If alumina-magnesia-carbon bricks are used in the barrel portion, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but slag resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecost-effectivenessVSAvoidslag resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using alumina-magnesia-carbon bricks specifically in the barrel area where cost-effectiveness is prioritized and slag exposure is minimal, while reserving magnesia-carbon bricks for the slagline area where superior slag resistance is critical. This localized material selection optimizes both performance and cost by matching material properties to specific functional requirements of different ladle zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If bauxite is used as the primary raw material, then refractory material performance is improved, but cost fluctuation increases due to market demand and shipping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefractory material performanceVSAvoidcost stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the raw material composition parameters - reducing dependence on bauxite and incorporating alternative materials such as dolomite, magnesite, and industrial by-products. This compositional adjustment maintains refractory performance while reducing exposure to bauxite market fluctuations, shipping costs, and currency exchange rate variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8030235B2Refractory brick for steel ladles
Publication Date: 2011.10.04 NORTH AMERICAN REFRACTORIES CO

AI summary

A magnesia-carbon brick comprised of about 50 to about 95% by weight magnesia and about 1 to about 20% by weight carbon, with or without metallic additions, such that the chemical analysis of the mixture of aggregates used in the brick will comprise, by chemical analysis, about 2 to about 15% SiO2, about 3 to about 50% Al2O3, and about 50 to about 95% MgO.