The colloidal silica has been shown as a promising substitute for the aluminate cement as a binder for refractory castables. It can promote suitable mechanical strength for green bodies, reduce the explosion risk and does not develop phases with low melting point in the alumina systems. In addition, they can induce the in-situ mullite formation. Nevertheless, the final properties of the castable can also depend on the colloidal suspension characteristics such as, solid concentration, surface area and stabilizing agents. This paper aims to compare the green and high temperature properties of castables using different types of colloidal silicas. The results showed that colloidal silica containing a high surface area builds up internal tensions and cracks during the drying process, which deteriorate the hot mechanical properties of the castables. Besides that, they also reduce the workability and the free flow of the system. The results presented were also compared with the refractoriness of others binding systems such as aluminate cement and reactive alumina on colloidal silica containing castables.
colloidal system; mullite; refractory castable; binding system
