Mechanical properties up to 1100 °C of Al2O3–MgO-extruded graphite pellets castables reinforced with steel fibres

The influences of adding 19, 25 and 50 mm carbon steel and 19 mm stainless steel fibres in the range of 0–3 volume percentages on the mechanical properties of alumina–magnesia-extruded graphite pellet castables have been studied at intermediate temperatures between 800° and 1100 °C, in argon atmosphere, as well as at room temperature. Wedge splitting test results at room temperature have shown that both carbon and stainless steel fibres increases work of fracture. Same tests at 1100 °C have shown decrease in strength with all length and volume percentage of carbon steel fibre while improving work of fracture values as 50% over fibre-free castables. Strength degradation is caused by the defect generation in the castable structure.