MgO-ZrO_2 refractory ceramics based on recycled magnesia-carbon bricks

摘要

Magnesia-carbon (MgO-C) refractories are used in the steel industry, where, after their life cycle, they are replaced by new ones. Consequently, a large amount of spent MgO-C is produced and stored in landfills. This waste may be re-used as a potential source of secondary magnesia. In this study, calcined MgO-C waste was used to prepare magnesia-zirconia refractories. It was applied as an individual component of raw materials mix or in the form of fused magnesia-zirconia co-clinker, from which new refractories were produced. After firing at 1660 degrees C, properties like linear shrinkage, open porosity, apparent density, cold crushing strength, thermal shock resistance, pore size distribution, microstructure as well as resistance to corrosion were measured and determined. The research results indicate that recycling of spent MgO-C refractories is possible as we have obtained a material with satisfactory properties, which can be additionally improved by zirconia addition. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.