2019 "Introduction to Refractories" - August 20, 21 & 22, 2019

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

Hotel Reservation

Registration Form (PDF)

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 Technical Director of the Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation, Columbus, Ohio. He holds a Ph.D. degree 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 and advanced ceramic committees of ASTM.

Mr. Garrick Ackart is a Material Testing Engineer in the Materials Testing and Research Center at the Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation, Columbus, OH. He holds a B.S. degree in Ceramic Engineering from Alfred University. He has over 15 years of industrial refractories experience in both research and manufacturing at Thermal Ceramics and McAllister Mills. Mr. Ackart is active in the refractories committee of ASTM.

Dr. Beau Billet is Laboratory Manager in the Materials Testing and Research Center at the Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation, Columbus, Ohio. He holds Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. degrees from The Ohio State University in Materials Science and Engineering. His experience includes prior employment with METSS (Materials Engineering Technical Systems and Services). Dr. Billet is active in the refractories committee of ASTM.

Mr. Brian Rayner is Testing Services Manager in the Materials Testing and Research Center at the Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation, Columbus, Ohio. He holds a B.S. degree from The Ohio State University in Materials Science and Engineering, with a minor in Ceramic Engineering. He has over 12 years of experience supervising glass and refractories laboratories. Mr. Rayner is active in the refractories and glass committees of ASTM.

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 (1.25 hr)
• Non-Oxide Refractories (0.75 hr)
• Composite Refractories (0.75 hr)
• Special Refractories (0.75)
• Applications (0.75 hr)
• Standard Test Methods (0.75 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 1200 companies to help solve difficult product or processing problems and conduct failure analysis.

Please download and complete the form using the link at the top of this page to reserve your place in Orton's "Introduction to Refractories". Hotel reservations may be made using the link at the top of this page as well, for the discounted course rate. Please contact homeny@ortonceramic.com with additional questions.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Orton Ceramic Foundation and The American Ceramic Society explore the possibility of establishing a 2 Year Ceramics Program with COTC (Central Ohio Technical College) 

02/21/2019 -

Front row, left to right: ACerS Executive Director Mark Mecklenborg, COTC President John M. Berry, Ph.D., Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation General Manager Mark Lawson. Back row, left to right: ACerS Bulletin Editor Eileen De Guire; ACerS Development Director Marcus J. Fish; COTC Vice President for Workforce Development, Community Affairs, Extended Campuses, and The Gateway Vicki Maple; COTC Vice President for Academic Affairs Lauri White, Ed.D.; COTC Program Director for Engineering Technology Whit Tussing.

For more information click here to visit the American Ceramic Society.

If you are interested in staying up on the latest  developments, would like to help by donating your time, talent, resources or just share your ideas, please email Mark Lawson.

Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation

We Are Committed to the Advancement of Science ...

The Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation serves the global materials industry providing products for thermal process verification, thermo-analytical instruments and materials testing services. We are focused on providing the ceramics and metals industries products and services second to none, working directly with our customers to understand their needs. The Orton Ceramic Foundation has provided the standard for firing verification for more than 100 years. Working directly with our customers Orton continually explores new products and services with the same commitment our founder Dr. Edward Orton Jr. made to the ceramic industry over 100 years ago.