Abstract: A refractory block assembly for the nose ring of a rotary kiln. Self-aligning nuts contained in recesses of a refractory casting generally align with bolts radially extending through holes spaced around the periphery of a retainer in the nose ring. The nuts and recesses are sized and configured to permit limited lateral and rotational displacement of the nut for threadingly engaging the bolts.

Abstract: A refractory slide gate for a container dispensing molten material is comprised of a metal-supporting can filled with a low-fired coherent bonded refractory. The refractory is formed into a coherent refractory body within the metal supporting can and is directly affixed thereto, without the use of refractory mortar. An orifice through the refractory controls the flow of molten material.

Abstract: A closed bag containing two independent compartments has a single opening for filling both compartments simultaneously, the compartments being separable from each other so they can be moved independently.

Abstract: A coherent, rigid, heat stable, low density, low thermal conductivity, strong, impact resistant, water repellant thermal insulation material, having an average maximum linear shrinkage of 2% or less at temperatures up to 1200.degree. F., made from expanded perlite, alkali metal silicate solution, kaolin clay, and organic fiber. Additions of methylcellulose and polydimethyl silicone liquid enhance the insulation material's strength and water repellency characteristics. The material may be cured and dried at a temperature of about 170.degree. or less for a period of about 24 hours or more without humidity control.

Abstract: A method for improving the density and other properties of caustic magnesia and sintered periclase. To improve the density of sintered periclase, acid or acid salt is admixed with magnesium hydroxide, followed by caustic-firing, pressing and high-firing. If desired, the admixture is dried before caustic-firing. Alternatively, the step of caustic-firing may be omitted. To improve the density and compactability of caustic magnesia, acid or acid salt is admixed with magnesium hydroxide, followed by caustic-firing. If desired, the admixture is dried before caustic-firing. Preferably, acetic acid is used.

Abstract: A blast furnace taphole plugging composition comprising a coal tar binder, a refractory filler and a very heavy aromatic petroleum oil which fails to polymerize at the high heating rates experienced during normal application of the taphole mix to the taphole. Preferred aromatic petroleum oils useful in the present invention have a minimum boiling temperature of 700.degree. F. and above and a boiling range between 700.degree. F. and 1000.degree. F. Methods of making and using such plasticized tar bonded blast furnace taphole mixes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions for forming carbon-containing refractory brick or shape comprising a refractory filler, a binder for said filler and a hardening agent for said binder, said binder comprising a mixture of polymers formed by the homopolymerization of resorcinol. Compositions for forming a carbon-containing refractory brick or shape as above described are also disclosed in which a basic refractory filler is employed and hardening agents are unnecessary. Methods of forming carbon-containing refractory brick or shape are also disclosed involving milling of a dry binder comprising a mixture of polymers formed by the homopolymerization of resorcinol with the refractory filler or mixture of a solution of such a binder material with the refractory filler, either of which may be conducted at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A refractory slide gate for a container dispensing molten material is comprised of a metal-supporting can filled with a low-fired coherent bonded refractory. The refractory is formed into a coherent refractory body within the metal supporting can and is directly affixed thereto, without the use of refractory mortar. An orifice through the refractory controls the flow of molten material.

Abstract: A non-aqueous taphole mix comprising a binder, a non-aqueous solvent for the binder and a refractory filler, the binder comprising a mixture of polymers formed by the homopolymerization of resorcinol and a hardening agent. Also disclosed are carbon-containing specialties comprising a binder, a solvent for the binder, and a refractory filler, the binder comprising a mixture of polymers formed by the homopolymerization of resorcinol and a hardening agent.

Abstract: Tris (hydroxymethyl) nitromethane is used as the formaldehyde-source, cross-linking agent for a phenol-formaldehyde or resorcinol polymer resin binder system for a plugging refractory to enhance the plugging refractory's ability to withstand residence periods in a mud gun without premature solidification.

Abstract: A monolithic refractory composition including from about 63% to about 90% by weight high purity Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; from about 2% to 8% by weight crystalline silica having a particle size of -200 mesh; from about 2% to 6% by weight high purity Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; from about 1% to 8% by weight high purity kaolin clay having a particle size of -10.mu. (micron); and from about 5% to 15% by weight phosphate binder. About 1-5% water may be substituted for Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. Preferably, the high purity Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 is a mixture of tabular alumina and calcined alumina and the phosphate binder is H.sub.3 PO.sub.4.

Abstract: An external plating arrangement for improved effectiveness in sealing off the cold end face of a refractory body, wherein the side walls of the body are sheathed with metal plates and planar portions extend normally from the plates and overlie the cold end face for encasing the perimeter of the cold end face. A separate metal plate may cover the cold end face, the planar portions having a form of elongated tabs for overlying the end plate. Alternatively, the planar portions may be right triangular for completely covering the cold end face, or one of the planar portions may be rectangular for covering the cold end face, the other planar portions being elongated tabs overlying the rectangular plate.

Abstract: A fast response ceramic ignitor which is particularly adapted for use with household current as a replacement for gas pilot lights, the ignitor being formed from pure lanthanum chromite, or lanthanum chromite which has been doped with combinations of niobium, magnesium, or strontium ions in quantities sufficient to provide desired electrical resistivity characteristics.

Abstract: Improved periclase refractories are prepared by using an alkyd resin binder for tempering and pressing periclase grains into refractory shapes such as bricks. The pressed shapes are dried and fired. After firing, the refractory shapes are impregnated under vacuum with molten pitch and can then be used as lining in basic oxygen steelmaking furnaces. The fired refractory bricks have a greatly improved modulus of rupture at 1482.degree. C. of 3000-4000 p.s.i. The alkyd resin is generally incorporated in amounts of 2.5 to 4.5 weight percent.The green strength of the alkyd resin bonded bricks can be improved by adding a strong organic acid to the alkyd resin prior to mixing it with periclase grains. The green strength of bricks produced from such a mixture is between 30 and 40 p.s.i.

Abstract: Improved carbon-containing, chemically bonded, refractory compositions, usually magnesia or alumina base, including about 1% to 20% by weight carbon and about 0.5% to 10% by weight steel fibers, low carbon steel fibers, or stainless steel fibers of about 10-50 mm in length and about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm in diameter of any cross-sectional shape distributed in the carbon-bearing matrix and bonded thereto. Other fibers compatible with both the intended application and the base composition may also be used.

Abstract: A method of decreasing the electrical resistivity of a rare-earth chromite material by substituting bivalent metal ions for some of the chromium or rare-earth ions therein. The method includes applying a solution containing the bivalent metal ions to the rare-earth chromite under vacuum conditions, drying the solution on the chromite, and diffusing the bivalent metal ion into the rare-earth chromite by firing the chromite in a controlled atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of increasing the magnesia content in dolomite sinter produced from dolomite. Crushed dolomite is calcined to form a physical mixture of particulate magnesium oxide (MgO) and calcium oxide (CaO) and the mixture is hydrated to develop a size differential between the calcium hydroxide and the magnesium hydroxide. The hydroxides are dried without dehydration and separated into two component portions on the basis of size. One portion of the mixture is rich in Ca(OH).sub.2 and the other is rich in Mg(OH).sub.2. The portion of the mixture primarily comprised of Mg(OH).sub.2 is then calcined to form the synthetic sinter.

Abstract: An improved alumina or alumino-silicate refractory for lining aluminum-melting furnaces and other containers for molten aluminum including 0.5 to 30% by weight of BaSO.sub.4. The addition of BaSO.sub.4 to a phosphate-bonded or phosphate-free plastic, ramming mix, brick, mortar, or castables eliminates metal penetration and reduces dross and metal adherence.

Abstract: A furnace for firing refractory ware including a vertically movable bell adapted to enclose a car of refractory ware. Means is provided to seal the enclosure defined by the bell, to evacuate air from the sealed bell enclosure, and to deliver a fluidized, chemically inert, non-combustible, high thermal absorption material to the evacuated bell. A plurality of lasers are provided on the bell facing spaced locations therein and are adapted to be fired sequentially. When fired, the light and heat energy from each laser beam is diffused and absorbed by the inert material and is then re-radiated throughout the bell enclosure to fire the refractory ware therein.

Abstract: A process is described for making shaped refractories by impregnating cold pitch-bonded shaped refractories with a liquid composition comprising hot pitch.