Ceramics-Silikáty 55 (4) 319-325 (2011)

THE EFFECT OF NANO-TITANIA ADDITION ON THE PROPERTIES OF HIGH-ALUMINA LOW-CEMENT SELF-FLOWING REFRACTORY CASTABLES

S. H. Badiee, S. Otroj

The self-flow characteristics and properties of high-alumina low-cement refractory castables added with nano-titania particles are investigated. For this reason, the reactive alumina in the castable composition is substituted by nano-titania powder in 0-1 %wt. range. The microstructures, phase composition, physical and mechanical properties of these refractory castables at different temperatures are studied. The results show that the addition of nano-titania particles has great effect on the self-flow characteristics, phase composition, physical and mechanical properties of these refractory castables. With increase of nano-titania particles in castable composition, the self-flow value and working time tend to decrease. With addition of 0.5 wt.% nano-titania in the castable composition, the mechanical strength of castable in all firing temperatures tends to increase. It is attributed to the formation of CA₆ phase and enhanced ceramic bonding. Nano-titania particles can act as a nucleating agent for hibonite phase and decrease the formation temperature of hibonite. Because of perovskite phase formation, the addition of 1 wt.% nano-titania can decrease the mechanical strength of castable after firing.

Keywords: Refractory, Castable, Self-flowing, Nano-titania, Microstructure