The wear of refractory linings is often a critical problem in process units where transfer lines are subject to high velocity gas stream containing solid particles. Knowledge related to erosive wear of refractories linings under these conditions is restricted, as consequence, technological development is slow and, in general, developed in an empirical way. The goals of the present work were to review relevant aspects regarding erosive wear on industrial applications and to investigate the erosion resistance of refractory castables currently used by the aluminum industry and in catalyst cracking units. The parameters evaluated were: particle impingement angle, line pressure, particle size and hardness, and thermal history of refractories. It was observed that the plastic refractories submitted to different thermal treatments exhibited distinct erosion resistance behavior, likely due to changes in the binding agents. In addition, it was verified that the higher wear rate was obtained at 90º of impingement, and decreased slightly as the angle approached 30º. The results also pointed out that erosion was proportional to particle velocity, its hardness and size.
refractory castable; erosion by impact; wear
