The crystallography, stoichiometry, and typical properties of MA spinel
will be described followed by a discussion of preparation methods of spinel powders
and aggregates. The production, microstructures, and properties of several of the most widely used spinel-containing refractories such as MgO–MA and
Al2O3–MA system refractories, and newly developed spinel-containing refractories
such as MgO–MA–MgTi2O5 and MgO–MA–ZrO2 will be summarized.
Finally, likely future work on development and application of spinel-containing
refractories will be discussed.