Development of Improved Tap Hole Clay for Blast Furnace Tap Hole

Abstract

This work describes the development of Tap hole clay based on Standard Tap hole caly.This study included the analysis of existing Tap hole composition from the XRD analysis, preparation of resin, optimization of resin composition and the replacement of some component of the Standard Tap hole clay (like Kyanite and Si3N4) and to adjust the composition which will properties (AP, BD, PLC, CCS) close to the Standard. The test revealed that increase in Corundum or Quartz increases the hardness (which is suppressedto provide wear resistance), Graphite increases drillability but the clay do not similar well.Kyanite can be effectively replaced by Silimanite and Si3N4 by Ferrosilicon Nitride. Two composition have been finally identify which have promising values and can be further optimized to provide an alternate composition to Standard 1 Tap hole clay. Other supplied Standards- i.e. 2, 3, 4 did not have much promising value and hence they were not optimized.