Shaped basic refractories based on magnesia, limestone and zircon for rotary cement kiln

Refractory bodies based on magnesia with different amounts of zircon and lime were sintered through two firing stages. The bodies were characterized for their mineralogy composition by XRD and microstructure by SEM. Periclase, calcium zirconate, zirconia, and merwinite were detected. The densification and mechanical properties were correlated with their minerology and microstructure. An improvement of refractoriness under-load was recorded with increasing zircon content. The fracture mode in the thermally loaded bodies was both intergranular and transgranular. The parepared bodies showed a good corrosion resistance to attack by Portland cement clinker.