REFRACTORIES SHORT COURSE

A Three Day Course Sponsored by the Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation.

June 24, 25 & 26, 2013

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is an intensive combination of classroom lectures and laboratory exercises that address most of the significant topics in the field of refractories, both theoretically and experimentally. The individual sessions are titled in the accompanying outline of the daily topics. These lectures follow the natural evolution of refractories from their mineral and synthetic origins, to their chemical, mineralogical and microstructural constitution, and their application, installation and degradation in service. The afternoon laboratory sessions are designed to give the participants experience with common refractory tests.

WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS COURSE?

Engineers, managers, contractors, purchasing agents, furnace operators, maintenance supervisors and technicians who are involved in the manufacturing, marketing, research and development, or consumption of refractory materials will find this course beneficial. Refractory installers and maintenance personnel may particularly benefit from better installation and maintenance techniques. A high level technical or engineering background is not essential to take this course, although technical professionals will find the subject matter informative and useful.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this course are to introduce the participants to the ceramic engineering fundamentals of all of the classes of refractories, their constitution, their application, and some of their degradation and failure processes. The laboratory sessions are designed to provide the participants with direct experience in fabricating test specimens and the application of standard ASTM test methods.

INSTRUCTORS

Dr. Joseph Homeny is Director of the Materials Testing and Research Center (MRTC) of the Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation, Columbus, Ohio. He holds a Ph.D. in Ceramic Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and M.S. and B.S. degrees from Rutgers University. He has industrial refractories experience in the research laboratories of the J.E. Baker Co. and North American Refractories Co. Prior to joining Orton in 1992 he taught refractories as a professor in the Ceramic Engineering Department of the University of Illinois. Dr. Homeny is active in the Refractories Committee of ASTM.

Joseph Atria is a Material Testing Engineer in the MTRC at the Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation, Columbus, OH. He holds a M.S. in Material Science and Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and a B.S. in Ceramic Engineering from Alfred University along with an MBA in technology management from the University of Phoenix. He has 11 years industrial refractories experience at both research and manufacturing locations of Vesuvius. Joe is active in the refractories committee of ASTM.

Brian Rayner is a Testing Engineer and Laboratory Supervisor in the MTRC at the Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation, Columbus, Ohio. He holds a B.S. from The Ohio State University in Materials Science and Engineering with a minor in Ceramic Engineering. He has over ten years experience supervising glass and refractories laboratories. Brian is sub chairman of ASTM C08.01 (Refractories, Strength) and ASTM C14.02 (Glass, Chemical Properties and Analysis).

Dr. Iris Ailin-Pyzik is Testing Information & Compliance Coordinator in the MTRC at the Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation, Columbus, Ohio. She holds Ph.D. and B.S. degrees in Geochemistry and Chemistry respectively, from the University of Maryland. Her experience includes prior employment with Chemical Abstracts Service, the Inorganic Testing Laboratory and Exploratory Product Development group at Owens Corning, and the Industrial Chemicals group at PQ Corporation.

COURSE OUTLINE

Day 1

• Introduction to Refractories (0.5 hr)
• Thermal Properties (1.0 hr)
• Mechanical Properties (1.0 hr)
• Corrosion Properties (1.0 hr)
• Thermo-Mechanical Properties (0.5 hr)
• Standard Test Methods (1.0 hr)
• Laboratory Session (2.0 hr)

Day 2

• Silica Refractories (1.0 hr)
• Alumino-Silicate Refractories (1.0 hr)
• Basic Refractories (1.5 hr)
• Insulating Refractories (0.5 hr)
• Standard Test Methods (1.0 hr)
• Laboratory Session (2.0 hr)

Day 3

• Monolithic Refractories (1.0 hr)
• Non-Oxide Refractories (1.0 hr)
• Special Refractories (0.5)
• Applications (0.75 hr)
• Design (0.5 hr)
• Standard Test Methods (1.0 hr)
• Laboratory Session (2.0 hr)

The Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation provides products and services to the ceramic materials industry. The Foundation was established in 1932 and has continued to adhere to the guiding principles as prescribed by Edward Orton Jr. in the founding documents. Orton's Materials Testing and Research Center provides third party, independent testing of refractories and other ceramic materials for more than 800 companies each year to help solve difficult product or processing problems and conduct failure analysis.

Please download and complete the registration form to reserve your place in Orton's "Introduction to Refractories" in June 2013. Please contact homeny@ortonceramic.com with additional questions.