Abstract: A method for improving the insulating character/and or penetration resistance of a liner in contact with at least one of an alkali and/or alkaline environments is provided. The method comprises lining a surface that is subject to wear by an alkali environment and/or an alkaline environment with a refractory composition comprising a refractory aggregate consisting essentially of a calcium hexa aluminate clinker having the formula CA6, wherein C is equal to calcium oxide, wherein A is equal to aluminum oxide, and wherein the hexa aluminate clinker has from zero to less than about fifty weight percent C12A7, and wherein greater than 98 weight percent of the calcium hexa aluminate clinker having a particle size ranging from ?20 microns to +3 millimeters, for forming a liner of the surface. This method improves the insulating character/and or penetration resistance of the liner.

Abstract: A method includes containing a high-temperature alkali salt containing environment using a refractory containment liner containing MgAl2O4 spinel. A method, includes forming a refractory brick containing MgAl2O4 spinel having an exterior chill zone defined by substantially columnar crystallization and an interior zone defined by substantially equiaxed crystallization; and removing at least a portion of the exterior chill zone from the refractory brick containing MgAl2O4 spinel by scalping the refractory brick containing MgAl2O4 spinel to define at least one outer surface having an area of substantially equiaxed crystallization. A product of manufacture includes a refractory brick containing MgAl2O4 spinel including an interior zone defined by substantially equiaxed crystallization; and at least one outer surface having an area of substantially equiaxed crystallization.

Abstract: A method for improving the insulating character/and or penetration resistance of a liner in contact with at least one of an alkali and/or alkaline environments is provided. The method comprises lining a surface that is subject to wear by an alkali environment and/or an alkaline environment with a refractory composition comprising a refractory aggregate consisting essentially of a calcium hexa aluminate clinker having the formula CA6, wherein C is equal to calcium oxide, wherein A is equal to aluminum oxide, and wherein the hexa aluminate clinker has from zero to less than about fifty weight percent C12A7, and wherein greater than 98 weight percent of the calcium hexa aluminate clinker having a particle size ranging from ?20 microns to +3 millimeters, for forming a liner of the surface. This method improves the insulating character/and or penetration resistance of the liner.

Abstract: Finely divided mica based pigments coated with about 5-20% by weight, based on the weight of the pigment, of an alkylene glycol alkyl ether that can be added directly to a coating composition and blended with the coating composition and a process for coating the pigment with the alkylene glycol alkyl ether and blending the coated pigment into a coating composition.