Abstract: The invention relates to a fused cast block useful in the construction of steel making furnaces, the block comprising a refractory oxide-based material having embedded therein a steel member which extends over the greater part of the length of the block and emerges from the block on the outer face of the latter, the steel member being embedded in the block in the course of molding the latter and having a cross-section of suitable shape and surface area to impart to the composite block an apparent thermal conductivity at between 500.degree. and 1000.degree. C. of at least 8 Kcal. m./m.sup.2..degree.C. hr.

Abstract: The invention relates to walking beam furnaces. It concerns a skid pad or lug for walking beam furnaces, which comprises a body made of an oxide-based refractory substance and a shell made of refractory metal alloy surrounding the periphery of the body, means being provided to prevent detachment towards the top of the body in relation to its shell.

Abstract: The invention relates to refractory material and in particular to lining parts of the pusher ovens used in steelworks, the lining parts being made of a cast refractory material having a chemical composition ZrO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Na.sub.2 O (or other metal oxide) in defined proportions, but containing substantially no mullite, and furthermore has a crystallographic composition Corundum, Zirconia, Vitreous phase of defined proportions to inhibit cracking and preserve abrasion resistance.