One of the main limiting factors in the processing of refractory castables is the long drying schedule required, since high heating rates can cause mechanical damage or even the explosion of the refractory, especially when low curing temperatures (<21 ºC) are employed. In this work, the influence of the curing temperature on the explosion tendency of high-alumina ultra-low cement refractory castables is evaluated. The results show that the explosion during the drying process of castables cured at low temperatures cannot be associated only to the dehydration of low-density cement phases, since the free water appeared to be the main responsible for the pressurization of the structure.
curing temperature; explosion; refractory castables; drying; permeability
