Silicon nitride is a highly versatile ceramic material that is widely used in advanced refractories due to its exceptional properties. It offers excellent thermal stability, high strength, and exceptional resistance to thermal shock, making it ideal for applications in extreme temperature environments. The use of silicon nitride in advanced refractories greatly contributes to the performance of these materials. Its high thermal stability ensures that refractories can withstand the intense heat generated in industrial processes without experiencing significant degradation or failure. This allows for longer service life and improved efficiency in various applications, such as in furnaces, kilns, and reactors. Moreover, silicon nitride's high strength contributes to the durability and longevity of advanced refractories. It can withstand mechanical stress, abrasion, and harsh chemical reactions, making it suitable for demanding industrial environments. This property helps prevent cracks, fractures, and erosion, thus maintaining the structural integrity of refractories and enhancing their overall performance. Additionally, silicon nitride's exceptional resistance to thermal shock is crucial in applications where rapid temperature changes occur. It can withstand sudden heating or cooling without cracking or spalling, ensuring the stability and reliability of refractories. This capability is particularly important in industries like metal production, glass manufacturing, and chemical processing, where refractories are subjected to extreme thermal cycling. In summary, the use of silicon nitride in advanced refractories significantly enhances their performance. Its thermal stability, high strength, and resistance to thermal shock contribute to increased durability, extended service life, and improved efficiency in various high-temperature applications.

Fire clay is a type of clay that possesses several key characteristics that make it highly suitable for use in refractory manufacturing. Firstly, fire clay has a high melting point, which means it can withstand extremely high temperatures without losing its structural integrity. This makes it ideal for lining furnaces, kilns, and other high-temperature industrial equipment. Additionally, fire clay has excellent thermal insulation properties, allowing it to trap and retain heat efficiently, thereby reducing heat loss. Furthermore, fire clay is known for its high resistance to chemical corrosion, making it capable of withstanding the corrosive effects of chemicals and gases found in various industrial processes. Lastly, fire clay is easy to shape and mold, enabling manufacturers to create custom refractory shapes and sizes to suit specific applications. Overall, the characteristics of fire clay make it a reliable and versatile material for use in refractory manufacturing.

Zirconia-based refractory materials have excellent thermal stability, high mechanical strength, and resistance to corrosion and wear. They also exhibit low thermal conductivity, good electrical insulation properties, and can withstand extreme temperatures. Additionally, zirconia-based refractory materials have a high melting point and are chemically inert, making them suitable for various applications in industries such as ceramics, metallurgy, and aerospace.

Some examples of refractory raw materials that have low thermal expansion are zirconia, alumina, and magnesia.