When using plug bricks, you need to pay attention to the following issues to ensure their performance and service life:

I. Installation and assembly

Check integrity: Before installation, the plug brick must be carefully checked for cracks, defects or other defects. If the plug brick is incomplete, it may lead to molten steel leakage or interruption of pouring process.

Installation position: the plug brick must be installed in the correct position to ensure its close cooperation with the nozzle brick. If the installation is not correct, it may lead to steel flow skew, increase inclusions in steel and even cause safety accidents.

Connection mode: the connection mode of plug brick and plug rod (such as bolt connection or threaded connection) needs to be selected according to the specific process. The refractory mud of plug brick with pin connection is easy to be eroded, while the plug brick with thread connection may have a "U-turn" accident. The new integrated plug brick combines the advantages of both and reduces these problems.

II. Filling of refractory materials

Use of refractory mud: For plug bricks with pin connection, the refractory mud must be filled fully to prevent molten steel erosion. However, refractory clay is easy to be eroded in the process of use, which leads to steel water pollution.

Reduce the use of filler materials: the new type of integral plug brick reduces the use of refractory mud, thus effectively reducing the risk of erosion of refractory mud.

III. Maintenance during use

Temperature control: During the pouring process, the temperature change of the plug brick needs to be strictly controlled. If the temperature of molten steel is low, the plug brick may be condensed on the nozzle brick and the plug rod cannot be opened.

Prevention of erosion: the end of the spherical cap of the plug brick is easy to be eroded, especially in the pouring process. By improving the design, the new plug brick effectively reduces the erosion at the end of the spherical cap.

Avoid "U-turn" accident: the plug body and threaded joint may fall off in threaded plug brick, that is, "U-turn" accident. This kind of accident will cause the pouring process to be unable to continue, which is a serious quality accident.

IV. Protection of molten steel quality

Prevent inclusions from entering: after the refractory mud, nozzle and the tip of the ball crown of the plug body are eroded, foreign inclusions may enter the molten steel, seriously affecting the internal quality of the molten steel.

Keep clean: during use, the surface of the plug brick needs to be kept clean to prevent impurities from mixing into the molten steel.

V. Service life and replacement

Regular inspection: During use, the wear of plug bricks should be inspected regularly, and seriously worn parts should be replaced in time.

Optimizing materials and design: selecting high-quality refractory materials and optimizing the design of plug bricks can effectively prolong their service life.

Through the above precautions, the use effect of plug bricks can be effectively improved and the smooth steelmaking process can be ensured.