Alumina Lining Bricks
Main Chemical Compositions & Categories
Alumina bricks are classified by their Al2O3 content, with the balance being primarily silica (SiO2).
| Category | Al2O3 Content | Classification |
| Fireclay | 30% to 45% | Low Alumina |
| High Alumina | 45% to 80% | Intermediate to High Alumina |
| Corundum | 90% to 99%+ | Ultra-High Alumina |
Key Properties and Performance
| Property | Typical Performance | Variation with Al2O3 Content |
| Temperature Under Load (TUL) | Good (improves stability) | Increases significantly with Al2O3 content. High Alumina is more stable at high temperatures than Fireclay. |
| Thermal Shock | Moderate to Good | Generally improves as Al2O3 content decreases and SiO2 increases (more glassy matrix). Note: Ultra-high alumina can be poor. |
| Corrosion | Excellent resistance to acidic and neutral slag | Increases with Al2O3 content. High Alumina bricks offer better resistance to metal penetration and neutral slags. Poor resistance to highly basic slags. |
| Mechanical Strength/Wear | Good to Very Good | Increases with Al2O3 content and firing temperature, due to the formation of stronger crystalline phases (mullite and corundum). |
Advantages and Key Characteristics
Alumina bricks are the workhorse of refractory linings, providing an excellent balance of cost, strength, and thermal stability. Their main advantages include:
- High Refractoriness: Can withstand high service temperatures.
- Dimensional Stability: Good resistance to creep and volume change under load at elevated temperatures.
- Chemical Versatility: Excellent resistance to acidic and moderately neutral environments, Fe2O3 oxide, and molten metal/slag penetration (especially at higher Al2O3 levels).
- High Mechanical Strength: Provides structural integrity in large furnace structures.
Typical Industries and Applications
Alumina bricks are widely used across almost all high-temperature industries:
- Ferrous Industry: Iron and Steel production.
- Non-Ferrous Industry: Copper, Lead, and Zinc processing.
- Glass Industry: Furnaces and regenerators.
- Cement & Lime: Rotary kiln firing zones and coolers.
- Petrochemicals: Reaction chambers and heaters.
Furnace Areas and Service Zones
The specific grade used depends entirely on the operational environment:
- High Alumina (60-80% Al2O3): Ladle bottoms and side walls, reheat furnace hearths, cement kiln hot zones, and glass tank regenerators.
- Corundum (90%+ Al2O3): Areas requiring exceptional purity, wear, and temperature resistance, such as high-temperature combustion chambers and specialty linings.
- Fireclay (30-45% Al2O3): Back-up linings, low-temperature zones in kilns, and general furnace shell linings where service conditions are less severe.
Key Data Sheet Properties to Consider
Customers should analyze these properties to match the brick to the application:
- Chemical Analysis: Al2O3, SiO2, Fe2O3 (lower Fe2O3 improves refractoriness).
- Apparent Porosity (AP): Lower AP generally correlates with better resistance to slag penetration.
- Cold Crushing Strength (CCS): Indicates the mechanical strength at room temperature (vital for structure).
- Refractoriness Under Load (TUL): The most critical measure of high-temperature dimensional stability.
- Linear Change on Reheating (LCR): Measures permanent expansion or contraction after firing; essential for installation allowances.
- Bulk Density (BD): Higher BD often means a denser, less porous, and more wear-resistant material.
Technical Guidance: When selecting Alumina bricks, prioritize TUL for thermal stability and AP/CCS for resistance to wear and chemical attack. For extremely demanding zones, consider bricks enriched with Mullite to maximize hot strength and volume stability.
✨ Customization Services
We offer product customization services, allowing you to tailor the appearance, dimensions, or specific markings of items like refractory shapes or bricks. This includes options for incorporating specific geometric requirements to ensure seamless integration into your process systems.
🔬 Sampling for Testing & Validation
Free product samples are available for thorough testing and validation. This allows you to confirm the quality, compatibility, and performance of our materials—such as specific bricks, castables, or raw materials—before committing to a full order.
💡 Expertise in Refractory Solutions
Leverage our deep expertise to receive detailed, application-specific refractory solutions. We move beyond just selling products by providing comprehensive plans that encompass material selection, installation guidance, and performance optimization to maximize the lifespan and efficiency of your high-temperature processes.
Rabatec products are exclusively manufactured in facilities that have achieved rigorous ISO certifications across Quality (ISO 9001), Environmental Management, and Occupational Health & Safety. This commitment ensures every product, from refractory bricks to specialized equipment, meets the highest global benchmarks for performance, sustainability, and workplace safety.
📦 Logistics Excellence: Shipping, Packaging, and Marking
Minimizing Risk: We manage all logistics to minimize handling touchpoints and transit shock. Our carriers are pre-vetted for their experience in transporting heavy, fragile, and sensitive industrial materials.
Traceability: Every shipment includes comprehensive documentation and tracking information, providing end-to-end visibility and ensuring precise delivery coordination for your site.
Protection is Paramount: Our packaging strictly follows industry standards to prevent damage, corner chipping, and moisture absorption—especially critical for materials like Basic Refractory Bricks and Refractory Mortars & Mixes.
Robust Palletization: Products are secured on fumigated, high-strength export pallets (e.g., 1100x950mm or similar sturdy dimensions) using heavy-duty strapping and durable protective wrapping (polyethylene sheeting, cardboard, etc.) to withstand long-distance travel and multiple loadings.
Moisture Control: Sensitive materials are protected with appropriate sealing and, where necessary, desiccants or moisture-vapor proof enclosures to maintain the product's integrity until installation.
Clear Identification: All outer packaging is clearly marked on multiple sides with large, legible text for immediate identification and safe handling.
Full Traceability: Markings include all essential data points: Product Name, Quality Grade, Batch Number, Quantity, Net/Gross Weight, Order Number, and the Final Destination/Construction Area. This ensures every pallet can be accounted for and correctly staged upon arrival.
Safety & Compliance: We adhere to all regulatory requirements for marking, labeling, and placarding—especially for any items classified as Dangerous Goods—to ensure full compliance with international and domestic transport regulations.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Question | Elaborated Answer |
Q: What is the Refractoriness Under Load (RUL) of your refractories? | A: Refractoriness Under Load (RUL) is a critical property that defines the maximum temperature our materials can withstand while under compressive stress before deforming (softening). Since we offer a wide range of materials—from Alumina-Silicate Bricks to high-performance Silicon Carbide Bricks—the RUL varies significantly. For specific product data, please refer to the product data sheet or submit a quote request for the material you are interested in. |
Q: Where are the Rabatec refractories and materials produced? | A: Our products are primarily sourced from specialized manufacturing plants in China. Crucially, these facilities have all undergone rigorous audits and achieved comprehensive ISO certifications (Quality, Environment, and Safety), ensuring that production adheres to the highest global standards for consistency and performance. |
Q: What refractory materials does the company offer? | A: We supply a comprehensive portfolio of advanced refractory solutions, including: Shaped Products: Alumina & Silica Bricks, Basic & Specialized Bricks (e.g., Magnesia), SiC & Structural Ceramics, and Precast Shapes. Monolithic Products: Refractory Castables, Mixes & Mortars. Insulation: Insulation Fibre and High-Performance Insulation Products. |
Q: How should I choose the appropriate refractory material for my application? | A: Selecting the correct refractory is paramount to process efficiency. The choice depends on three key factors: 1. Operating Environment: Maximum process temperature and thermal cycling (shock). 2. Chemical Attack: Type of slag, molten metal, or corrosive gas being handled (acidic, neutral, or basic). 3. Mechanical Stress: Abrasion, erosion, and static load requirements. We recommend utilizing our detailed refractory solutions service to consult with our engineers for an optimized, application-specific recommendation. |
Q: Which monolithic material should I choose when patching an existing lining? | A: For patching and minor repairs, the ideal monolithic material depends on the parent lining material, the patching depth, and the need for a rapid return to service. Common choices include: Refractory Mortars & Mixes (for minor joints/surfaces) or Plastic Refractories (for areas requiring physical compaction). Always choose a patch material chemically compatible with the existing lining to ensure proper bonding and service life. |
Q: Can I receive product samples before placing a major order? | A: Yes. We gladly provide product samples for your internal testing and validation purposes. This ensures you can confirm the quality, composition, and fit of the material—such as our Refractory Castables or Alumina-Silicate Bricks—in your specific operational environment before committing to a bulk purchase. |
Q: Do you provide certifications to verify material quality? | A: Absolutely. We provide product-related inspection certificates and quality assurance documentation upon request. This verifies that your order has passed all internal quality control checks and meets the required material specifications and industry standards. |
Q: What measures are taken for product protection during transport? | A: We ensure quick, reliable transport by using robust, industrial packaging that strictly follows industry standards. This includes high-strength palletization, heavy-duty strapping, and weather-resistant wrapping to protect fragile items like bricks and mixes from corner chipping, mechanical damage, and moisture during transit. |
