Load bearing characteristics of ceramic refractories

This paper describes the underlying mechanisms of deformation of refractories at high temperatures. Equations for deformation by consolidation of pores and by slumping are developed.In this paper, the heavy refractories are shown to deform primarily by viscous flow. The hot load behavior of a fireclay at 1450°C. was analyzed and found to be predominantly compaction of pores by the Mackenzie-Shuttleworth viscous flow mechanism with an activation energy of 100 Kcal/mol.