Quantitative formulation of mechanism of sintering process during creep deformation of refractory concretes

This paper is concerned with quantitative formulation of the mechanism of the sintering process during secondary state creep deformation of refractory concretes. Investigated concretes varied in, both, chemical and mineralogical compositions. The sintering process during secondary state creep within refractory concrete has an isothermal character. Thus, an attempt was made to describe the mentioned process quantitatively. Creep was investigated at three different temperatures: 1200, 1300 and 1400oC. Variations of the microstructure of concrete samples, exposed to constant static pressure and constant temperature during certain time-intervals, were investigated using a scanning electron microscope. Obtained results of the investigation proved that creep resistance is an irreplaceable method when the decision about the best possible type of refractory concrete for application in metallurgical furnaces is required.