Zircon powder can significantly improve its performance in refractories, mainly in the following aspects:

I. Improving high temperature resistance

Zircon powder has a very high melting point (about 2500℃), which can be kept stable in extremely high temperature environment, thus significantly improving the refractoriness and high temperature deformation resistance of refractories. For example, in high-temperature equipment such as glass furnaces and ladles, adding zircon powder can effectively resist the erosion of high-temperature melt.

II. Enhancing wear resistance and corrosion resistance

Zircon powder has high hardness (Mohs hardness is about 7.8) and excellent wear resistance, which can significantly reduce the wear of refractories in high temperature environment. At the same time, it has good chemical stability, can work in acidic and alkaline environments and has strong corrosion resistance. For example, in blast furnace, cement rotary kiln and other equipment, adding zircon powder can effectively prolong the service life of refractories.

III. Improving thermal shock resistance

Zircon powder has small thermal expansion coefficient and good thermal shock resistance. Adding zircon powder to refractories can effectively reduce the cracking and spalling of materials caused by rapid temperature change. For example, the thermal shock resistance of refractories for RH refining furnace can be significantly improved by adding appropriate amount of zircon powder.

IV. Improving the compactness and strength of materials

Zircon powder particles are fine and have good fluidity, which can be evenly distributed in refractories to form a compact microstructure. This not only improves the mechanical strength of refractories, but also enhances their slag penetration resistance and wear resistance. For example, in corundum porous materials, adding 2% zircon powder can make the comprehensive properties of the materials reach the best.

V. Optimizing sintering performance

Zircon powder can promote the sintering process of refractories at high temperature and restrain the volume expansion at the same time. For example, adding proper amount of zircon powder to andalusite-based refractories can promote sintering and improve the creep resistance and thermal shock resistance of the materials.

VI. Preventing chemical reactions

Zircon powder is chemically stable and does not react with high-temperature molten metal. The use of zircon powder in casting coatings can effectively isolate the contact between molten metal and refractories and prevent defects caused by chemical reactions. For example, in a large steel casting plant, the use of zircon powder coating can significantly reduce the problems of sand sticking and porosity on the casting surface.

VII. Improving thermal conductivity

Zircon powder has good thermal conductivity, which can effectively improve the thermal conductivity of refractories. This is helpful for rapid heat dissipation, reducing the heat accumulation of refractories in high temperature environment, thus prolonging their service life.

VIII. Summary

Zircon powder plays an important role in refractories because of its high melting point, high hardness, low thermal expansion coefficient, good chemical stability and excellent thermal shock resistance. It can not only significantly improve the high-temperature performance and wear resistance of refractories, but also optimize the sintering process, enhance corrosion resistance and thermal shock resistance, thus prolonging the service life of refractories and improving the efficiency and quality of industrial production.