Li Huili, Li Nan and Wei Yaowu
Abstract
The effects of refractories of quartz-corundum consisting of 45mass% quartz and 55mass% corundum, fused corundum and fused magnesia on the total oxygen content (TOC) and the composition of inclusions in interstitial free (IF) steel were studied. 3 mass% microsilica was added into the three refractories as binder. The refractories were shaped as lining of the graphite crucible by castable method. IF steel was placed in the crucibles, then they were heated at 1600℃ for 90min and 45min respectively. Oxygen contents of the steel samples were obtained by oxygen determinator. Inclusions were analyzed by SEM and EDS. The results show that the TOC of steel increased with increase of Index of Oxygen Potential (IOP) of the refractories. The steel sample coped with MgO refractories having the lowest IOP has the lowest TOC. 
Key words: Refractories, Interstitial Free Steel, Total oxygen content, Inclusion
 

LIN Binyin1, WANG Jianjun2 and LIU Jiehua3
Abstract
The paper describes the sillimanite group minerals in China, including the reserves, distribution, characteristics and application as refractories for the iron and steel industry. The sillimanite group minerals are characterized by their phase transformation of mullitization which is accompanied by volume expansion. The former can buffer the stress occurs in and improve the thermal shock resistance of products and the later can be used to offset the volume shrinkage of bauxite-based refractory products when they are added into the products. A series of high efficiency new materials with improved microstructure, low creep and good thermal shock resistance have been developed by means of using bauxite, mullite and alumina as main starting materials and sillimanite group minerals as additives. 
Key words: Review, Kyanite, Andalusite, Sillimanite, characteristics, Application, Refractories, Ironmaking, Steelmaking

VLADIMIR V. PRIMACHENKO, VALERIY V. MARTYNENKO
Abstract
The article gives an introduction to the Ukrainian Research Institute of Refractories and especially its R & D and refractory products for the industries of iron and steel, nonferrous, glass and chemistry etc. 
Key words: Introduction, Ukrainian Research Institute of Refractories, Refractory products
 

Mike O’Driscoll
Abstract
China has long been recognised as an important source of refractory raw materials for refractory markets worldwide. Bauxite, magnesia, fused alumina, and refractory clays in particular, have maintained China’s strong position as the world’s leading supplier of these minerals. However, important changes have taken place in the structure of Chinese and global supply of these minerals. Moreover, the world refractory market and the minerals trading sector have also undergone a radical transformation that has influenced mineral supply, and shifted end product manufacture to China. This paper highlights these changes and sees how they have impacted on China as a world source of refractory minerals. 
Key words: Refractory raw materials, Refractory minerals market, World, China
 

Ye Fangbao, Rigaud M. Liu Xinhong, Zhong Xiangchong
Abstract
Rheology of castables is greatly affected and controlled by rheological behavior of their matrix. In this work, the rheological properties of bauxite-based castable matrix have been studied. The effects of super-fine silica and alumina addition, water/cement ratio, dispersants and bauxite particle-size on viscosity, shear rate and shear stress of the slurries have been investigated. Based on these results, the range of optimum composition of the matrix with good rheological behavior has been obtained. 
Key words: Rheology, Bauxite, Castable, Matrix
 

ZHANG Yong, PENG Dayan, WEN Hongjie
Abstract
The influence of three different Al2O3 powder on self-flowing alumina castable was studied. Maximum compaction of sample was computed by Andresen Equation. The result showed that the Al2O3 powder, which has much smaller particle size, could improve the microstructure and the mechanical properties of castable under room temperature and high temperature. With the same powder size, the room temperature strength of the castable added with Al2O3 powder properties of which were altered by adding mineralizing agent, was higher than that of the castable added with common Al2O3 powder, but the flowability of these three different castable was almost the same. 
Key words: Self-flowing castable, Alumina powder, Influence, Flowability