Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories delivers high-performance tap hole clays designed to provide outstanding blast furnace hearth protection. These advanced solutions significantly extend furnace service life, reduce the risk of unplanned shutdowns, and help lower overall maintenance costs. Our comprehensive portfolio of high-performance tap hole mixes is suitable for blast furnaces of all sizes and operating conditions. By combining premium raw materials, state-of-the-art technology, and deep expertise supported by real-time knowledge of furnace conditions, Saint-Gobain ensures reliable, long-lasting performance tailored to each customer’s needs.
Key benefits of our custom tap hole solutions include:
In addition, Saint-Gobain offers unique fast-sintering materials for consecutive tapping operations in small furnaces, expansive clays for furnace blow-ins, and advanced crack-closing technology to repair damaged tap hole mushrooms.
Beyond products, Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories provides:
Tap Hole Clay for Blast Furnaces by Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories is designed and engineered to assure you operational safety and high performance. We collaborate with customers to understand their specific requirement, innovate and develop 100% tailor made Tap Hole Clay mix for every blast furnace around the world ensuring optimal hearth protection and a tool for cost reduction.
| Applications | Products | Characteristics | Benefits |
| Small Furnaces | CL | Soft tap hole mix | Minimal splashing during casting |
| Medium and Large Furnaces | SR | Resistance to erosion and corosion by iron and slag | Allows stable operation |
| Consecutive Taps | SR Consecutive | Quick hardening | Enables safe operation when the blast furnace runs with a single taphole |
| Demanding Conditions | SR HP | High adhesion | Maximum protection of hearth wall |
| All Furnaces | EcoTap | Ecological binder | Decresead amount of hazardous compounds released during use |
Al2O3-SiC-C Bricks
Discover Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories’ range of Al2O3-SiC-C bricks – ideal for use in torpedo cars.
Ceramic Pad Products
Discover Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories’ range of pad bricks – available in circular or herringbone designs.
Hearth Products
Discover Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories' Coranit Ceramic Cup - widely recognized as the ideal solution for extended hearth service...
Upper and Lower Stack Products
Discover Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories’ range of brick and shotcrete solutions for the upper and lower stack.
Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories tap hole clay boasts a unique microstructure and enhanced properties, maximizing pig iron production while maintaining a strong and stable mushroom. As such a low volume of clay is required to plug the tap hole after each casting, routine use of Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories tap hole clay will result in much lower operating costs, versus similar materials available in the market.
Clay performance has a direct impact on a furnace’s operational stability, as this dictates the effectiveness of controlled liquid drainage. The tap hole clay formulation must offer an integrated solution based on three key considerations:
Our team is here to guide you. Let us help you choose the best option for your needs.