1. The primary building blocks of refractory bodies are given the name
grains or aggregates; these components comprise raw materials larger
than about 200mm and constitute, by weight, about 70% of a refractory
product. Several carefully graded sizes of aggregates are used to construct a close-packed product texture.
2. Matrix or fillermaterials smaller than 150mm are then used to pack
the spaces among the gapped aggregates.
3. The terms binder, bond,or cementare used to describe the structural
unit that eventually adheres the aggregates and/or matrix ingredients
together to form the refractory product’s strength.
4. There is always unfilled space remaining in the refractory body, and
these open volumes are called pores.
Some raw materials of refractory products can used directly, can be
partially altered from naturally occurring mineral deposits, or are produced