Abstract

The continuous casting sector of steel production is a common application field of Al2O3-C refractories, where they are used as functional components. Since several decades resin binder systems are mostly applied. In terms of this contribution a resin free new hybrid binder system will be demonstrated which gives an excellent performance according to the extreme mechanical, thermal and chemical requirements of the application as stopper or submerged entry nozzle. Mechanical properties were evaluated at room and at elevated temperatures and in a first step a steel casting simulator was used to verify the interactions with a steel melt. Graphs based on computer tomography showed no cracks in spite the high thermal shock attack from room temperature to 1600 °C temperature of the steel melt. Based on the positive results demonstrators with dimensions next to real components were evaluated in an aggressive steel/slag-system in a foundry. The demonstrators survived several thermal shocks and no contamination of the steel was registered. Their residual strengths post mortem open the horizon for the new binder system to be used in advanced applications such as the continuous steel casting.