PLIBRICO CO. introduced two new insulating castable refractories for furnaces, boilers, and incinerators: Plicast® LWI® 24 HS and its aluminum-resistant version Plicast® Al-Tuff® LWI® 24 HS. Both are described as a safe choice for lightweight refractory linings for high-temperature chambers or vessels. Used in thermal environments of up to 2,400°F, these materials exhibit low shrinkage and have a low thermal-conductivity rating. Each one is recommended for refractory back-up linings and for forming lightweight, precast shapes in applications where weight is a factor.
Both Plicast LWI 24 HS and its Al-Tuff aluminum-resistant version reportedly possess very high strength in conjunction with low density. When compared to traditional lightweight refractories, the materials offer 200% more in cold crushing strength (CCS), according to the developer.
The castables increased strength does not affect density, Plibrico added, which is maintained at 80 pounds per cubic foot (pcf). The high strength exhibited in these materials helps to maximize the life of melting or heating equipment and to maintain the integrity of any precast shape.
Another advantage of the new materials is low shrinkage; they have been shown to contract very little during high-temperature use. In so doing, the refractories prevent formation of cracks and loss of strength typical with cartable refractories of lessor quality. Cracking may result in a loss of boiler efficiency, and the creation of hot spots on the casing or outer shell of a furnace, boiler, or incinerator.
Plibrico recommends these refractory materials for aluminum, steel, petrochemical, incineration, and boiler industry applications that include: precast shapes; over-the-road aluminum ladles; back-up linings in aluminum furnaces; linings in reheat furnace floors; annealing furnace cartops; fired oil-heater stacks; carbon-monoxide boiler duct linings; and olefins cracking furnace stacks.
Learn more at www.plibrico.com.