Refractory castables in the Al2O3-SiC-SiO2-C system have been extensively used as linings for blast furnace runners, due mainly to their improved resistance to thermal shock damage and to slag and metal corrosion, respectively. In this work, ULC refractory castables in the Al2O3-SiC-SiO2-C system were prepared in order to evaluate the efficiency of different sort of additives on their dispersion and setting behavior. Although citrate ions are known to be efficient chelating agents, they were not able to properly control the working time of the castable studied, contradicting the general idea that citrate ions are necessary for controlling castable setting. On the other hand, the sodium polymethacrylate additive was found to be more efficient for the simultaneous optimization of the castable dispersion state and working time. This may be attributed to a retardation effect imparted by polymethacrylate molecules on the dissolution of ions from the surface of cement particles.
castable; rheology; setting; dispersion; refractories
