Refractories in a glass furnace have to withstand the conditions of the environment all through the campaign. The parameters of such an environment are predominantly thermal shock, physical wear, high temperature and corrosive chemicals. The melters of soda-lime glass; float; container; and traditional tableware furnaces, which together account for more than 80% of the industries melting capacity are lined with corrosion resistant electrocast refractories. The glass contacts of these furnaces are almost exclusively of the AZS type, whereas the crowns and some parts of the superstructure may be lined with some other species. The campaign expectations for float furnaces has a risen to around 15 years or more, container furnaces no less than 10 and tableware furnaces between 8010 years. This article looks in depth at developments in refractories.
