Effect of Submicron SiO_(2) Powder Addition on Properties of Cement Free Iron Trough Castables

A new cement free iron trough castable was prepared with dense corundum and silicon carbide as the main raw materials and submicron SiO_(2) powder(d_(50)=0.242μm,SiO_(2)=99.9 mass%)as the binder.The effect of the submicron SiO_(2) powder addition(3%,4%,5%,6%,7%,8%,and 9%,by mass,respectively)on the properties of the prepared castables was studied.The working mechanism of submicron SiO_(2) powder was analyzed from the perspective of the particle size distribution and infrared absorption spectrum.The results show that:(1)cement free iron trough castables can be prepared using submicron SiO_(2) powder alone as the binder;(2)compared with traditional castables,the cement free castables have made a breakthrough in the water addition and hot modulus of rupture.The optimal submicron SiO_(2) powder addition is 4%-6%.