Due to complexity, cost and time involved in evaluating the thermal shock resistance, carbon-containing refractories are usually selected based only on the thermal conductivity. It is therefore necessary to evaluate the physical properties that affect the thermal shock behavior of refractories and to generate suitable criteria for selection and development of microstructure aiming to increase the lining life. The present paper presents the methodology used at Usiminas for the determination of the thermal shock damage resistance of carbon-containing refractories for casting ladles. The test method adopted involves measurements of the fracture energy using CMOD (crack mouth opening displacement) and the determination of the thermal shock parameters (R'''' e Rst).
refractories; thermal shock; fracture mechanics
