Concentrated solar energy applications in materials science and metallurgy

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

“…In the XRD analyses a new phase was identified (CaZrO 3 ), and this phase is also observed in these micrographs. The CaZrO 3 corresponds to the light gray zones, the ZrO 2 to the white zones and the MgO to the dark gray zones, see Figure 4 (8). The presence of ZrO 2 was confirmed using EDX analysis.…”

“…The apparent porosity is still high in this sample despite the pressing method, and pores of <5µm are observed. Figure 4 (6)(7)(8) show the microstructures of samples with additions of ZrO 2 nanoparticles (1, 3, and 5 wt. %, respectively).…”

“…The main consumer of magnesia-based refractory bricks is the metallurgical industry, and particularly the iron and steelmaking industry, where they are mainly used in the slag line of the LMF, in the EAF and in the BOF [4]. Other consumers of magnesia bricks (magnesia-chromite) are the submerged arc furnaces (SAF) used in the copper manufacturing process, because of the resistances to the chemical degradation by molten phases and to the abrasion, the thermal shock resistance and the mechanical strength [5].Presently, the industry requires research on refractories with better properties that are manufactured using new technologies of agglomeration (faster, cheaper and cleaner) to improve their processes, for instance, studies of: new clean techniques of sintering (solar synthesis, laser, microwave and conventional sintering), synthesis of ceramic composites, incorporation of additives to improve properties of the refractories and study of nanomaterials added to the refractory matrix [6][7][8][9][10][11]. In this line, magnesia-carbon refractory bricks, which are widely used in the steel industry (in metallurgical ladles, EAF, converters, basic oxygen furnaces), have been studied because they must have extraordinary thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties.…”

“…Presently, the industry requires research on refractories with better properties that are manufactured using new technologies of agglomeration (faster, cheaper and cleaner) to improve their processes, for instance, studies of: new clean techniques of sintering (solar synthesis, laser, microwave and conventional sintering), synthesis of ceramic composites, incorporation of additives to improve properties of the refractories and study of nanomaterials added to the refractory matrix [6][7][8][9][10][11]. In this line, magnesia-carbon refractory bricks, which are widely used in the steel industry (in metallurgical ladles, EAF, converters, basic oxygen furnaces), have been studied because they must have extraordinary thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties.…”

“…In the case of the sample with 5 wt. % of ZrO 2 nanopowders (IP) the main peaks correspond to the ZrO 2 and MgO, having less intensity the peaks of the CaZrO 3 , seeFigure 3a(8).…”