Improved monolithic materials for lining aluminium holding and melting furnaces

As aluminium producers strive to increase productivity, the environment within furnaces for holding and melting aluminium is becoming more aggressive. Chamber temperatures are increasing and more aggressive fluxes are being used, necessitating more frequent and severe cleaning operations of the refractory wall. A key requirement for maintaining high levels of productivity is the need to minimise the frequency and duration of furnace downtime. The more aggressive conditions within which the refractory lining has to work today means that the aluminium resistant lining materials developed in the past to cope with these applications are now being used beyond their original intended design boundaries and their service performance is under threat, leading to more frequent lining repairs. In order to minimise the frequency of furnace downtime, a new breed of aluminium resistant products are needed, specifically designed to perform within todays more aggressive operating environment.