The mechanism of polymerization of ethylsilicate gels catalyzed by hydrochloric, nitric, and orthophosphoric acids is studied. The effect of the ethylsilicate : water ratio in the hydrolyzate on the phase composition and the optical properties of the heat-treated powder is investigated. The synthesis of opal is registered in heat treatment of ethylsilicate gels, and an explanation for the mechanism of its formation is proposed. It is demonstrated that the formation of the opal structure in gels delays the crystallization of cristobalite in heat treatment.

Changes in phase composition and properties of cordierite-based materials depending on the calcination temperature and the calcined talcum/raw talcum ratio in the starting mixture is studied. Periodic features in the behavior of the MgO – Al2O3 – SiO2 system are analyzed in terms of a conjugation scheme of solid-phase reversible chemical reactions. Routes for the spinodal phase decompositions of sapphirine and cordierite solid solutions are proposed. Conditions for formation of a dissipative structure in refractory materials and a specific organization of the phase composition under spinodal decomposition of solid solutions are considered.

The properties of articles from Nicrolite, i.e., casted stone slag or molten slags of ferrochrome production, are investigated. Nicrolite is used to prepare articles for different parts of installations of the coke and by-product industry.

Impregnation of blast-furnace aluminosilicate refractories with carbon-containing substance makes their structure more compact and greatly enhances the quality. The open porosity of the impregnated specimens decreases by 42–47 rel.%, the gas permeability is reduced, the compressive stress (in the cold) is increased by a factor of 1.5–2, the onset temperature of deformation under a load of 2 kgf/cm2 is raised by 50–100°C, the slag resistance is increased by a factor of 2–4 (depending on the amount of coke residue), the alkali resistance is enhanced owing to the presence of coke residue, which, by blocking off the chamotte grains from the active reagents (K2O, Na2O), promotes formation of more refractory mineral compositions in the form of large crystals of mullite andβ-alumina, cemented by refractory glass of presumably nepheline composition.

Experiments using radioactive isotope phosphorus-32 show that during the fettling period the slag penetrates into the fettling made from PMP powder, slagged with scale at the top, down to a depth of 40–60 mm, and into the fettling made from a mixture of ground magnesite powder and scale only to 15–20 mm; the tentative (effective) coefficients of diffusion are respectively equal to 0.4·10−3 and 0.7 ·10−5 cm2/sec. The calculated values for these coefficients characterize the combination of the effects of temperature gradient, capillary forces, and the diffusion itself, etc.

The use, in the production of unfired articles, of highly sintered granular dolomite without additional grinding and coal-tar pitch with a high content of pitch, ensures, after pressing of the hot bodies, the production of dense and strong articles capable of being stored in air in winter for 10–12 days.

Upon the reaction of tarred magnesite refractory with molten converter slags at 1650°, in a reducing atmosphere, as a result of oxidation of the carbon bond by oxides of iron, we note decarbonization of the contact zone of the refractory and selective absorption by this zone of the components of the slag.