Refractory Bricks and Castables: Types, Uses & Industrial Applications

Refractory bricks and castables are essential materials used in high-temperature industrial processes, providing structural stability, insulation, and protection against thermal, mechanical, and chemical stress. These materials are tailored for specific applications in industries such as steel, cement, petrochemicals, and glass.

Types of Refractory Bricks

• Fireclay Bricks – Made from hydrated aluminum silicates, these are widely used in general-purpose applications with thermal resistance up to 1,600°C.
• High Alumina Bricks – Contain over 45% alumina, ideal for applications involving high abrasion and slag resistance, especially in steel plants.
• Silica Bricks – With over 90% silica content, they offer excellent thermal shock resistance and are used in coke ovens, glass furnaces, and acid converters.
• Magnesia Bricks – Composed primarily of magnesium oxide, suitable for basic slag environments such as steel converters and rotary kilns.
• Insulating Bricks – Lightweight and thermally efficient, these are used in outer linings of kilns and furnaces to reduce energy loss.

Refractory Castables

Refractory castables are unshaped materials consisting of refractory aggregates, binders (typically calcium aluminate cement), and additives. These are mixed with water and poured, pumped, or gunned into position, then cured and dried.

Common Types

• Conventional Castables – Suitable for medium-duty applications up to 1,400–1,600°C.
• Low Cement Castables (LCC) – Improved mechanical strength and density, used in ladles, tundishes, and cement rotary kilns.
• Ultra-Low Cement Castables (ULCC) – Used where high density and abrasion resistance are needed, such as preheater cyclones.
• Insulating Castables – Low-density variants used in backup linings for energy conservation.

Industrial Applications

Refractory bricks and castables are used extensively in:

• Steel Plants: Ladles, tundishes, blast furnaces, reheating furnaces
• Cement Industry: Preheater cyclones, rotary kilns, clinker coolers
• Glass Manufacturing: Tank furnaces, regenerators
• Petrochemical Refineries: Secondary reformers, gasifiers, FCC units
• Power Plants and Boilers: Burner blocks, ash hoppers, incinerators

Sample Specifications

• High Alumina Brick (70%): Al₂O₃ ≥ 70%, Refractoriness >1750°C, BD: 2.7 g/cm³
• Magnesia Chrome Brick: MgO 60%, Cr₂O₃ 18%, Service Temp: 1,800°C
• LCC Castable: Al₂O₃ ≥ 65%, CCS ≥ 70 MPa, Service Temp: 1,700°C
• Insulating Castable: BD ≤ 1.0 g/cm³, Thermal Conductivity ≤ 0.3 W/mK at 800°C

Why Ochnology Solution Pvt Ltd is a Trusted Partner

With long-standing ties to both refractory manufacturers and critical end-user sectors, Ochnology Solution Pvt Ltd is uniquely positioned to supply a wide range of refractory bricks and castables tailored to technical and operational requirements. Our access to specialty grades—both indigenous and imported—makes us a dependable trading partner. Our industry relationships ensure timely supply, application-specific recommendations, and consistent quality—essential in industries where downtime is costly and reliability is non-negotiable.