At Tomsk State University of Architecture and Construction (TSUAB), in collaboration with the Institute of Strength Physics and Materials Science of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, refractory products with an increased lifespan are being developed for the Russian metallurgical industry. The new technology aims to extend the service life of products and improve the efficiency of steel plants. This was reported by the university's press service.
At Russian steel plants, the interval between repairs averages from 1 to 3 years. This is due to the need to replace worn and damaged ceramic lining — a protective structure made of refractory material that protects the internal surfaces of furnaces from high temperatures and chemical influences.
Refractory ceramic materials are brittle, and cracks in them develop rapidly, leading to complete loss of strength and destruction. Our research is aimed at forming a complex multi-level structure of a composite ceramic refractory material. By controlling the composition and internal stresses, it is possible to achieve that the material itself will resist the development of cracks forming in it, preserving up to 60% of its original strength.
The new technology still needs industrial testing, but it already demonstrates great potential for application in Russian industry.
Earlier, www1.ru reported that scientists from Volgograd State Technical University developed a fire-resistant material based on natural compounds.
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