Study on variation of graphite content in N220 nanocarbon containing low carbon MgO–C refractory

Abstract

The effect of variation in flaky graphite content from 1 to 5 wt-% was studied in 1 wt-% N220 nanocarbon containing MgO–C refractories. Low carbon MgO–C refractory compositions were prepared by conventional manufacturing techniques, and products were characterised for various refractory related physical, mechanical, corrosion, phase analysis and microstructural studies. All the low carbon compositions were also compared against 16 wt-% flaky graphite containing conventional MgO–C refractory, without any nanocarbon, prepared under similar manufacturing conditions. Graphite (3 wt-%) with 1 wt-% nanocarbon containing composition resulted in better density and strength values, and 5 wt-% graphite with 1 wt-% nanocarbon containing composition showed better hot strength and corrosion resistance.

Keywords:

• MgO–C refractory
• N220 nanocarbon
• Graphite content
• Processing
• Properties

Acknowledgements

The authors thankfully acknowledge the financial support of the TSD group of DST for supporting the work as sponsored research project (DST/TSG/Ceramic/2011/143). The authors also thankfully acknowledge the support of Mr S. Chakraborty and the staff of Department of Ceramic Engineering, NIT, Rourkela, and support of TRL Krosaki Refractories Ltd, Odisha, for providing raw materials.