Wear of basic refractory linings in converters.

Objective. The present article helps to describe the wear mechanism of basic converter linings. With operating results and laboratory experiments used as a basis, the aim was to determine the influence exerted on refractory wear by the tapping temperature and by the degree of lime saturation of the slags. Although magnesite converter linings are now state of the art, dolomite was also included in the studies for comparison purposes. Summary. A so-called degree of lime saturation for converter slags was defined. It describes, among other things, the aggressivity of slags in relation to the converter lining. The wear of basic converter linings was examined on the basis of operating results and laboratory experiments. On the whole, dolomite is found to exhibit considerably greater wear than magnesite when attacked by converter slags. The wear of the dolomite is, in contrast to magnesite bricks, heightened particularly if lime undersaturated con verter slags are used, or if the tapping temperature exceeds 1680-1700 degrees C. This means that only magnesite bricks represent a practical refractory lining solution for converters in case of tapping temperatures above approximately 1680 degrees C or in case of slags that are not significantly supersaturated with lime at low temperatures.