I. Basic Function of High-Alumina Refractory mortar
monolithic refractory materials High alumina refractory cement is a joint material for high alumina refractory bricks, primarily used to bond them together. It plays a critical bonding role during the brick laying process, ensuring tight joints between bricks and thus maintaining the integrity and stability of the entire refractory structure.
II. The Impact of Storage Time on Alumina Refractory mortar
The storage time of high-alumina refractory mortar significantly affects its performance. Excessive storage may cause the binder to lose effectiveness, thus affecting the cladding's bonding properties. Therefore, determining whether high alumina refractory cement that has been stored for an extended period of time is suitable for continued use requires careful consideration.
III. Judgment Method
1. Check the Binder Storage Method
First, check whether the binder is stored separately within the high-alumina refractory mortar. If the binder is stored separately and has been for more than six months, it cannot be used and needs to be replaced.
2. Determine if the binder has been added to the refractory powder.
If the binder is not packaged separately, you can use the following methods to determine if the binder has been added to the refractory powder:
Smell: Grab a portion of the high alumina refractory cement and smell it for any odor. If there is an odor, the binder has already been added to the refractory powder during production; if there is no odor, the binder has not yet been added.
Determine if the binder can be re-added: If there is no odor, the binder has not yet been added, which is the best case scenario. Re-add the binder and continue using the mortar.
IV. Conducting On-site Testing
1. Test Conditions
If the binder has been added directly to the high-alumina refractory mortar during production and has been stored for more than 6 months, an on-site test is required to determine if it is still usable. The test method is as follows: Weigh the refractory powder: Weigh 1 kg of refractory powder.
Add drinking water: Add 20%-25% drinking water and stir the refractory powder into a slurry.
Applying Refractory Clay: Take two refractory bricks of the same material and evenly apply a portion of the refractory cladding to one brick, smoothing the cladding.
Bonding Refractory Bricks: Place the second refractory brick on the refractory brick coated with cladding, then rub the two bricks back and forth approximately fifteen times.
Determining Bonding: If the two bricks bond tightly together, the high alumina refractory cement is still usable.
2. Adjusting the Binder Ratio
If the high-alumina refractory mortar fails to bond the two bricks, try adding a suitable binder and repeat the above test steps. If the bricks still bond, the cladding is ready for use after the adjustments.
5. Function and Precautions of the Binder
The binder in high-alumina refractory cement primarily promotes the adhesion of the slurry. During the high-temperature baking process, the binder gradually loses its effectiveness. Therefore, the usability of high-alumina refractory mortar that has been stored for an extended period of time should be determined using the above method. If the binder loses its effectiveness, it can be restored by adding a new binder.
The above method can effectively determine whether high alumina refractory cement that has been stored for a long time can still be used, thereby ensuring the construction quality and service life of the refractory structure.
