Abstract: A preformed taphole for a steelmaking vessel such as a BOF furnace or a ladle is made by forming refractory material about a steel pipe, the refractory comprising refractory aggregate, a water soluble binder, metal fibers such as stainless steel fibers, and graphite, preferably flake graphite.

Abstract: A resin bonded refractory composition of increased pressability and consequently increased density and strength is made by adding potassium borate to prior art refractory compositions.

Abstract: An improved refractory composition especially adapted for use as a gunning mix is made of aggregate (for example, periclase) and a bonding material (for example, aluminum sulfate, boric acid, and citric acid) to which is added attapulgite. The composition may also contain other materials, as is known in the art.

Abstract: A low cost stabilized lime aggregate, preferably with dicalcium silicate as a major constituent, is obtained from slags of specified composition, and finds use in refractory gun mixes. Briefly, the slags which are suitable for this application contain at least 75% total CaO+Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 +SiO.sub.2 +MgO, have a CaO:SiO.sub.2 weight ratio of at least 1.8, less than 7% total calcium carbonate (CaCO.sub.3), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH).sub.2), and CaO, and preferably contain at least 20% CaO.

Abstract: A more pressable composition for making graphitic refractory brick from oxide aggregate with a carbon bond is obtained when the refractory oxide aggregate is substantially all coarser than 0.15 mm (+100 mesh), preferably coarser than 0.2 mm (+65 mesh), and most preferably coarser than 0.4 mm (+35 mesh), and the matrix is entirely carbonaceous material, such as graphite, particularly flake graphite, resin, particularly a phenol formaldehyde resin, together with such other carbonaceous materials as carbon black, calcined coke, anthracite, and the like.

Abstract: A refractory gun mix contains from 1 to 5% alkali metal phosphate, for example monosodium phosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, or a long chain glassy polyphosphate, from 0.5 to 5% hydrated aluminum sulfate (e.g., Al.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3.14H.sub.2 O), from 0.5 to 5% bentonite, and up to 10% pitch, preferably hard pitch, the balance being sized refractory grain, preferably MgO-containing and/or CaO-containing grain such as periclase, chrome ore, and/or dolomite. In a preferred embodiment, the alkali metal phosphate contributes three atoms of phosphorous for each atom of aluminum contributed by the aluminum sulfate.

Abstract: A refractory gun mix of improved properties, particularly low rebound, wide water range, and good adherence when gunned onto hot surfaces, used a bonding system of from 1 to 5% sodium silicate, 0.3 to 3% gypsum, and 0 to 5% bentonite, the percentages being based on the total weight of the composition. The gun mix may contain other materials, for example pulverized pitch.

Abstract: A plastic chrome ore is made from an admixture of sized chrome ore, sodium silicate, hectorite, and sufficient water to form a plastic mass. It may contain a plasticizer such as plastic kaolin clay in addition to the hectorite.

Abstract: A refractory composition, suitable for ramming, casting, or gunning, which can be heated rapidly without exploding is made from sized refractory aggregate bonded with from 0.1% to 3% MgSO.sub.4, from 0.1% to 2% sodium gluconate, and from 0.1 to 2% B.sub.2 O.sub.3 in the form of a soluble boron compound, boric acid being a preferred form. To inhibit explosion of the composition upon rapid heating, the sum of the per cent sodium gluconate and boric acid should be over 0.8, preferably over 0.9.

Abstract: A refractory composition suitable for nozzle gunning, particularly onto hot surfaces, is made from sized refractory aggregate, bentonite, aluminum sulfate, and hydrated lime. Preferably the weight ratio of aluminum sulfate to hydrated lime is about 2.7.