Effect of Process Regimes on the Life of “Mayerton” Linings in 385-Ton Steel Teeming Ladles

The effect of performance factors on the life of linings of large ladles from periclase-carbon (the slag-line area) and alumopericlase-carbon (walls) refractories is considered. The studied performance factors are the changes in the properties of the refractories upon heating, the temperature regime of melting, the chemical interaction between the lining and the slag, the residence time of metal in the ladle, the causes of emergency situations, and the effect of external factors on the topography of the lining wear. Observations of 114 ladles have shown that the lining life is determined by three groups of factors. Preliminary estimates made by the authors lead them to expect that a correction of some acting conditions of operation and maintenance of the ladles will increase their life by 10 – 12% without changes in the quality of the refractories or the design of the lining.