Ironmaking
General Areas Served
Crude steel production begins with the reduction process, whereby iron ore reacts with carbon sources inside the blast furnace. It is imperative that refractory products used inside the blast furnace are resistant to these thermomechanical and thermochemical reactions.
Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories designs, engineers and supplies a comprehensive range of high quality refractory products and solutions, specifically developed for blast furnaces.
An extensive range of refractories ideal for use downstream of the blast furnace is also available, including:
- High quality tap hole mixes, customized to meet customer requirements
- Concretes with excellent performance characteristics, ideal for troughs and runners
- Alumina silicon carbide carbon bricks for torpedo ladles
Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories is also focused on developing materials for the evolving needs of DRI (Direct Reduced Iron) processes. Refractory requirements increase in line with H2 usage.
Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories’ extensive experience in related industries (for example, pure H2 atmosphere) makes it uniquely suited to providing optimal solutions to meet this challenge.
Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories is currently working to become carbon neutral by 2050 – a goal shared across much of the ironmaking industry.
Solution By Application
Click on your application to find more:
- Blast Furnaces for Ironmaking
- Blast Furnace Repairs
- Tap Hole Clay
- Torpedo Car (Torpedo Ladle)
Torpedo Car (Torpedo Ladle)
High Performance and Operational Safety
While torpedo cars – also referred to as torpelo ladles – typically serve as transfer containers, these key pieces of equipment are frequently employed in liquid metal treatments such as desulfurization and desiliconization.
These processes involve higher temperatures, higher metal/slag turbulence, and greater chemical attack, requiring high-quality refractory linings.
Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories’ refractory linings have been supplied to customers in Europe, America and Asia. Customized, balanced lining designs are also available to address the specific type of wear prevalent in different torpedo ladle areas.
Features and Benefits
| Products | Characteristics | Applications | Benefits |
| Bricks | Al2O3-SiC-C based, High oxidation and corrosion resistance |
Working lining | Higher campaign life, even when subjected to desulfurization treatment or high thermal shock |
| Castable | High mechanical resistance | Mouth | Reduced repair requirements |
| Shotcrete | High performance | Repair | Al2O3-SiC-C based with high adhesion, minimal rebound losses, and exceptional wear resistance |
| Gunning Mix | Al2O3 or Al2O3 SiC based, High strength |
Repair | Specialized design for hot application and fast repair |
FAQ
What are the benefits of working with Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories?
Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories offers a robust combination of continuous development and provision of the highest quality customized refractory product solutions, full design and engineering services, supervision and ongoing support – a complete, reliable and cost-effective service through a furnace's entire service life.
Why do Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories’ ACS bricks offer such high thermal shock resistance?
ACS bricks’ thermal shock resistance is due to a combination of carefully selected high quality raw materials designed to ensure the perfect thermal balance; and an engineered structure with a high degree of stress attenuation. This combination allows equipment to move through thermal cycles while suffering very little damage to its inner structure, ensuring a long service life.
