Chemical binders are applied in refractory bodies to reduce or even replace hydraulic binding agents. These alternative binders allow a compaction of refractory bricks. After drying, these bricks can be heated faster than hydraulically bonded bodies.

• CHEMICAL BINDERS Overview

Wetting agents permit the introduction and dispersion of hydrophobic raw materials in refractory bodies (e.g. soot and graphite). Wetting agents are surface-active preparations exhibiting high surface affinity, which in turn decreases the surface tension of the preparation water.

• WETTING AGENTS Overview

The use of splinter porosity-inducing agents serves to adjust the pore size, pore volume and pore distribution in a targeted manner. A typical example of application is the manufacture of abrasive tools. Fibrous porosity-inducing agents are employed to reduce cracks and shrinkage and to permit faster de-watering.

• POROSITY-INDUCING AGENTS Overview

The use of pressing agents and lubricants in refractory pressing bodies improves their lubricating effect. During pressing, internal friction of the pressed body as well as friction between the pressed body and the mould wall is reduced. Pressing agents and lubricants are also used as pressure equalising agents in pressed refractories. The result is homogeneous compaction and increase in green density.

• PRESSING AGENTS AND LUBRICANTS Overview

Temporary binders bring about an increase in green and dry breaking strength through the formation of adhesive forces. This leads to an increase in edge strength, which in turn is required for the easier handling of the shaped parts during the technological processes that follow and for the internal transport. The use of temporary binders allows a reduction or even the complete replacement of the clay proportion in refractory bodies. This leads to improved properties of the batch at high temperatures. The target result is the reduction in drying sensitivity.

• TEMPORARY BINDERS Overview

Release agents are used during the manufacture of refractory components and bricks to achieve easy separation of the mould pieces from the moulds made of steel, resin and wood. The friction between the piece to be pressed and the mould wall is reduced. Furthermore, the sticking tendency of pressed bodies at the mould wall is minimised.