Brown Fused Alumina (BFA) is a high-quality refractory material widely used in industries requiring high-temperature resistance, abrasion resistance, and chemical stability. It is produced by fusing bauxite (an aluminum ore) in an electric arc furnace at temperatures above 2000°C, resulting in a hard, dense, and crystalline material.
Key Properties of Brown Fused Alumina for Refractory Applications:
High Melting Point (~2050°C) – Suitable for extreme heat environments.
Excellent Thermal Shock Resistance – Resists cracking under rapid temperature changes.
High Mechanical Strength – Withstands abrasion and mechanical stress.
Chemical Inertness – Resistant to acids, alkalis, and molten metals.
Good Thermal Conductivity – Helps in heat dissipation in refractory linings.
Applications in Refractories:
Steel & Foundry Industry: Used in ladle linings, tundish covers, and slide gates.
Cement & Glass Industry: Used in kiln linings and furnace components.
Ceramics & Petrochemicals: Used in high-temperature furnace linings.
Monolithic Refractories: Used in castables, ramming mixes, and gunning materials.
Refractory Bricks: Bonded with other materials to form firebricks.
Forms of Brown Fused Alumina in Refractories:
Grain (Grit): Sized particles (coarse to fine) for refractory aggregates.
Powder: Fine grades for refractory mortars and coatings.
Micro-powders: For ultra-high-performance refractory formulations.
Advantages Over Other Refractory Materials:
More cost-effective than white fused alumina (WFA) or silicon carbide (SiC).
Better toughness compared to tabular alumina.
Lower impurities than raw bauxite-based refractories.