Refractory Thermodynamic Principles

Refractories are meant to be exposed to high temperatures. These high temperatures cause many changes, which are the result of the refractories reactions with the environment. The environment can be in the form of solid, liquid, or gas. Reactions take place where the refractories and the environment make contact. Thus, we have solid-solid contact, solid-liquid contact, and solid-gas contact depending upon the solid refractories in contact with the environment in any of the three states of matter. 

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Thermodynamics principles can be applied to corrosion, as with any chemical reaction. Corrosion is related to the free energy of formation, AGf. In the present case, we have to consider it for the refractories. 

The book details applications for natural and synthetic ceramics, as well as traditional and engineering applications. It focuses on the various thermal and thermo-mechanical properties of ceramics, classifies refractories, describes the principles of thermodynamics as applied to refractories, and highlights new developments and applications in the ceramic and refractory fields. It also presents end-of-chapter problems and a relevant case study. 

Section III, which deals entirely with refractories, is divided into 10 chapters (Chapters 17-26). Chapter 17 classifies refractories. Principles of thermodynamics as applied to refractories are covered in Chapter 18. Chapter 19 is on properties and testing. Production of refractories is discussed in Chapter 20. Chapters 21 and 22 deal with the most important two single-phase refractories, silica and alumina. The combination of these two refractories is described in Chapter 23. Chapter 24 describes the chrome-magnesite system in terms of one and two components. The pure element refractory carbon is dealt with in Chapter 25, and the concluding chapter is on insulating refractories. 

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