In metallurgical industry, clay brick, as a traditional refractory, has unique properties and characteristics compared with other refractories (such as high alumina brick, carbon brick, magnesium brick, etc.). The following are the main differences between clay bricks and other materials in metallurgical industry:

I. Fire resistance

(1) Clay brick:

The fire resistance is generally between 1580℃ and 1750℃.

Suitable for medium-high temperature environment, such as the shaft and waist of blast furnace.

(2) High alumina brick:

The fire resistance is usually between 1770℃ and 1850℃, or even higher.

Suitable for environments with high temperature, high strength and chemical erosion, such as hearth and bottom of blast furnace.

(3) carbon brick:

The fire resistance is extremely high, usually above 2000℃.

Suitable for extremely high temperature and strong reducing atmosphere, such as the bottom and hearth of blast furnace.

(4) Magnesium brick:

High fire resistance, usually above 2000℃.

Suitable for alkaline environment, such as lining of steelmaking converter.

II. Corrosion resistance

(1) Clay brick:

The acid corrosion resistance is good, but the alkaline corrosion resistance is weak.

Suitable for acid slag environment.

(2) High alumina brick:

The corrosion resistance is better than that of clay brick, especially in high temperature environment.

It has certain corrosion resistance to acidic and alkaline slag.

(3) carbon brick:

Excellent corrosion resistance, especially in reducing atmosphere.

But it is easy to be oxidized, so anti-oxidation measures need to be taken.

(4) Magnesium brick:

Strong alkaline corrosion resistance, suitable for alkaline slag environment.

The acid erosion resistance is weak.

III. Thermal stability

(1) Clay brick:

Good thermal stability, able to withstand certain temperature fluctuations.

But not as good as carbon bricks and magnesium bricks.

(2) High alumina brick:

Thermal stability is better than that of clay brick, and it can be used in more severe temperature change environment.

(3) carbon brick:

High thermal stability, able to withstand severe temperature changes.

(4) Magnesium brick:

Thermal stability is good, but not as good as carbon brick.

IV. Mechanical strength

(1) Clay brick:

Medium mechanical strength, which can meet the general use requirements.

(2) High alumina brick:

High mechanical strength, suitable for high temperature and high mechanical stress environment.

(3) carbon brick:

High mechanical strength, suitable for high mechanical stress and high temperature environment.

(4) Magnesium brick:

High mechanical strength, but not as good as carbon brick.

V. Cost

(1) Clay brick:

Low cost and high cost performance.

Suitable for occasions where the performance requirements of refractory materials are not particularly demanding.

(2) High alumina brick:

The cost is higher, but the performance is better.

(3) carbon brick:

The highest cost, suitable for extreme conditions.

(4) Magnesium brick:

High cost, suitable for alkaline environment.

VI. Service life

(1) Clay brick:

The service life is short, usually 6-12 months.

(2) High alumina brick:

The service life is long, usually 12-24 months.

(3) carbon brick:

The longest service life is usually 24-36 months.

(4) Magnesium brick:

The service life is long, usually 12-24 months.

VII. Construction and maintenance

(1) Clay brick:

The construction is relatively simple and the maintenance cost is low.

(2) High alumina brick:

Higher construction requirements and higher maintenance costs.

(3) carbon brick:

The construction is complex, so anti-oxidation measures are needed.

(4) Magnesium brick:

Higher construction requirements and higher maintenance costs.

VIII. Summary

Clay brick has the following characteristics in metallurgical industry:

Scope of application: Suitable for medium high temperature and acidic environment, such as the shaft and waist of blast furnace.

Cost performance: low cost, simple construction and low maintenance cost.

Limitations: the fire resistance and corrosion resistance are not as good as those of high alumina bricks, carbon bricks and magnesium bricks, and the service life is short.

Therefore, when selecting refractory materials, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the factors such as refractoriness, corrosion resistance, thermal stability, mechanical strength, cost and service life according to the specific use environment and requirements, so as to select the most suitable materials.