Modification of the microstructure of refractory materials by the impregnation process

The possibilities of making favourable changes in the microstructure of aluminosilicate refractories as a result of their impregnation with boehmite, boehmite-silica, as well as aluminium oxide suspensions have been presented. The parameters of the products' microstructure were changed by lowering their open porosity, average pore diameter, and permeability, and by increasing the apparent density and the number of pores below 1 μm. The mean value of the static contact angle for the prepared suspensions was determined and the time of suspension penetration into the structure of the refractory material was measured. The effect of these changes was the impregnated products’ increased erosion and corrosion resistance to the influence of steel, which is confirmed by the results of research on the microstructure of channel shapes of in the uphill steel casting system, conducted after the industrial tests.