ENHANCING THE SERVICE LIFE OF FERROCHROME CASTING LADLES USING PROTECTIVE REFRACTORY COATINGS

https://doi.org/10.48498/minmag.2026.254.6.006

Lining wear of casting ladles is a key challenge in high-carbon ferrochrome production, leading to reduced service life and increased operating costs. This study presents a laboratory and pilot-industrial evaluation of protective refractory coatings during tapping of FeCr 800–850 ferrochrome. Coatings based on chamotte, quartzite, and secondary materials with various binders were investigated. Liquid glass was found to exhibit poor adhesion, whereas a combined binder system (cement – bentonite – organic additive) demonstrated the highest stability. Chamotte-based coatings increased ladle service life to 13–18 heats (compared to 10 in the baseline regime), quartzite coatings showed a moderate effect, while slag-based coatings were ineffective.

*Ye. U. Zhumagaliyev, N. A. Ulmagambetov, B. T. Uakhitova, D. T. Ospanov