Role of cement content on the properties of self-flowing Al2O3 refractory castables

In this work, Al2O3 self-flowing castables (SFCs) were produced based on various cement contents. The SFCs were sintered at 1273 K, 1573 K and 1773 K and the exhibited properties were experimentally determined. Among the properties determined in this work are bulk density (BD), apparent porosity (AP), water absorption (WA), cold crushing strength (CCS), modulus of rupture (MOR) and fracture toughness (KIC). It is found that additions of 5% cement lead to SFCs with maximum MOR and KIC values after firing at 1773 K. Firing at 1573 K leads to a reduction in both, MOR and KIC. In SFC containing 3% cement, maximum KIC values of 3.53 MPa m1/2 were achieved after firing at 1573 K. In the low cement SFCs (1 wt%) after firing at 1773 K the exhibited KIC values were below those obtained in either the SFC-3 or SFC-5, but they were significantly high (3.43 MPa m1/2).