Reactions Occurring in Basic Brick

Possible reactions occurring in basic brick were first explored by studying ( a ) binary mixtures of sesquioxides or magnesia spinels and ( b ) three silicates, namely forsterite, monticellite, and di-calcium silicate. Compositions ranging from 10 to 90% of each constituent were pressed into cylinders and heated at 100°C intervals between 800°C and a maximum of 1700°C or until melting occurred. Bulk density and volume changes were recorded and X-ray diffraction was used to explore chemical reactions. Reactions between the three silicates and three chrome ores were also studied. Since the most refractory specimens were those containing magnesiochromite as the spinel constituent, the effect of free magnesia as a third component in these series was finally explored.