Problems related to the production and the applications of the refractories used for lining steel casting ladles improving the service life of the linings of the ladles handling ferroalloys (discussion)

Under the severe service conditions of the ladles used in the production of ferrosilicon (temperature 1900°C and the duration of teeming 2.5 h), chamotte linings do not possess sufficient life. In this case, mullite present in chamotte decomposes to form corundum and a glass phase which, in turn, interacts with carbon to form silicon carbide and cementite. The formation of a working zone consisting of silicon carbide, cementite, and calcium hexa-aluminate improves the service life of the lining to some extent.