Mortars Of Refractory Mortar

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Refractory Mortars are finely grounded refractory mixtures used usually after the addition of water/binder to bind refractory bricks and to fill Refractory linings and seams. Refractory mortars consist of filler or aggregates, plasticizer and binder. Their composition usually must be compatible with the properties of the refractory bricks. A distinction is made among ordinary refractory mortars, which harden at high temperatures as a result of the formation of a ceramic bond; hydraulically hardening mortars, which contain hydraulic cement; and mortars with chemical bonding, which harden at room temperature or upon heating. Mixtures to which a non-ceramic binder has been added are called refractory cements [1].
Mortars consist of finely ground refractory materials which are then mixed with water to form a paste. They are used for laying and bonding shaped refractory products such as bricks. They are normally applied by trowelling [2]. The term Mortar is used to indicate a paste prepared by adding required quantity of water to a mixture of binding material like cement or lime and fine aggregates like sand. The above two components of mortar, namely, the binding material and fine aggregate are sometimes referred to as the matrix and adulterant respectively. The matrix binds the particles of the adulterant and as such, the durability, quality and strength of mortar will mainly depend on the quality and quantity of the matrix. The combined effect of the two components of mortar is that the mass is able to bind the bricks or stones firmly [1-2].
The degree of fineness of a refractory mortar is determined by its purpose. The grain size of fine-grained mortars does not exceed 1 mm (for some special mortars, 0.5 and even 0.1–0.2 mm); that ...

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...nerally their major constituent is also fine aggregate. Confusion sometimes exists over the difference between the terms fine aggregate and sand, there is in fact no difference the two words may be interchanged. Fine aggregate quality is affected by a number of factors: The mean particle size, grading, presence of impurities, shape, texture of the paricles. The selection of suitable aggregates, which are capable of producing a product with the optimum properties, is most important. The design of mortar mixes is based on the concept that the voids in the fine aggregate, which are generally in the range 25- 40%, will be filled with binder. Where the voids are not completely filled there is an increasing risk that the mortar will not be durable. Aggregate may be natural, manufactured or recycled [EDUCATIONAL GUIDE TOAGGREGATES, Experts in Mortar, Cemex Mortar][3][4].

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