MgO Refractory Doped with ZrO2 Nanoparticles: Influence of Cold Isostatic and Uniaxial Pressing and Sintering Temperature in the Physical and Chemical Properties

The chemical environment and the internal conditions of the furnaces and ladles are extremely aggressive for the refractories, so metallurgical industries demand refractory linings with greater durability and resistance to avoid unforeseen stoppages and to reduce the changes of the furnace lining. Therefore, the current work aims to evaluate the impact of the additions of ZrO2-nanoparticles (1, 3, and 5 wt. %) in magnesia-based bricks. A comparative study of the physical and chemical properties in bricks obtained using two cold pressing techniques (uniaxial and isostatic pressing) and two sintering temperatures (1550 and 1650 degrees C) was carried out. The microstructure and crystalline phase characteristics obtained after the heat treatments and the slag corrosion test was studied using scanning electron microscopy/electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results reveal that the sample with 5 wt. % of ZrO2 nanoparticles (obtained by cold isostatic pressing and sintering at 1650 degrees C) has the lowest porosity and greatest resistance to penetration of blast furnace slag.