How are basic refractories used in basic oxygen furnaces and electric furnaces?

Basic refractories, such as magnesia, dolomite, and chrome, are essential in steelmaking because they offer outstanding resistance to iron oxides and the basic slags generated during the process. These materials are used to line the containers where steelmaking occurs, as they remain highly stable even when exposed to harsh chemical environments.12

In electric furnaces, the hearth is typically lined with tar-bonded magnesite bricks. Because these furnaces often feature water-cooled wall and roof panels, the interior surfaces are further protected by sprayed-on refractories and slag to minimize heat loss and prevent structural degradation.3

In basic oxygen furnaces, these refractories are employed as linings to contain the molten metal and slag. To enhance their durability, these materials often incorporate carbon additions—either as flakes or through pitch-bonding and tar-impregnation—which significantly improves their resistance to corrosion and erosion during the intense steelmaking cycle.12