Results of laboratory and industrial-scale tests on the potential use of an unshaped periclase refractory mix modified with the slurry fraction of electrofused corundum containing 85% Al2O3 are reported. The optimum concentration of slurry fraction is shown to be 12–14 wt.%. Routes towards utilization of wastes in the production of abrasive materials are discussed.

Results of trial runs in the converter steelmaking technology using a ferruginous magnesia flux (FMF) high in magnesium oxide are reported from the NTISW JSC, MISW ISC, and Severstal’ ISC. Data on the mineral composition of FMF and its solubility in molten slag are given. Slag specimens sampled during the converter blow cycle are analyzed by petrography. Conclusion is made that high-magnesia fluxes can be recommended as protective scull for the converter lining by using a slag splashing technique; it should be kept in mind that using this material degrades the slag-making and requires a higher supply of lime in the converter process.

A brief survey of the history of development, production, and uses of advanced Martenite-type refractory materials for repair and maintenance of the bottom lining of open-hearth and electric-arc furnaces is given.

Results for alumomagnesian spinel prepared by fusing periclase from natural magnesite and alumina at 30.5 – 32.5% MgO are reported. The structure of solidified melt is similar to that of eutectic; the role of impurities and nonequilibrium crystallization conditions is discussed. Spinel crystals with a composition close to stoichiometric and iron-in-periclase solid solutions are shown to form. Impurities in the form of a low-melting glass containing up to 20% of alkalis and merwinite are shown to concentrate in the interstitial space of the two phases. The structure thus produced cannot be considered as optimum because the liquid phase that forms in the crystalline phase at relatively low heating temperatures will adversely affect the high-temperature strength and corrosive resistance of the material. For this reason, development of methods that would allow preparation of a high-quality fused spinel from inexpensive raw materials and allow control over the distribution of impurities in spinel solid solutions remains a challenging problem.

Tests carried out at the Severstal Joint-Stock Co. and Magnitogorskii Iron-and-Steel Works JSC showed that a lime-magnesia flux containing 30 – 35% MgO used in the converter steelmaking process produced a favorable effect on the refractory lining resistance. Compositions for high-magnesia granules (50 – 65% MgO) were developed, their properties characterized, and the rate of solution in the slag melt was determined. Using these granules in the converter process makes it possible to increase the service life of periclase-carbon refractories for converter linings.

Results of a preliminary study of the composition and properties of magnesites of provenance from the Goluboe deposit (Krasnoyarskii Krai, Russia) are reported. All magnesites, irrespective of their varietal, structural, and textural features, can be considered as acceptable raw materials. The concentration of impurities and inclusions in a high-quality magnesite does not exceed 1.5%, whereas in low-quality magnesites (2nd grade) they are within 3 – 8% of the total mineral composition. The heat-assisted beneficiation or calcination of raw magnesite yields a material with 98% MgO and a CaO-to-SiO2 ratio greater than 3, which provides means for producing high-quality periclase powders. Tests conducted under industrial conditions show that using technologies of fine grinding, pelletizing, and calcination at 2100°C makes it possible to prepare dense periclase clinker. Calcination of lumpy magnesite at still higher temperatures is not an efficient technique for dense periclase powders. Clinker technology is shown to be the best way towards obtaining periclase and periclase-containing powders using raw magnesite from the Goluboe deposit.

Kombinat Magnezit JSC has developed a process for manufacturing densely sintered large-grain periclase-lime powders that are resistant to hydration due to formation of enclosing films on the surface of the grains. A performance test of pitch-impregnated periclase-lime converter refractories at the Krivorozhstal’ Works has shown their advantages over dolomite-periclase refractories. The service life of a converter lining produced from the test powders was increased from 690 to 946 heats.

A brief characterization of magnesite of the Satkinskoe Deposit and a technology for the production of periclase powders using two-stage firing of the raw material are presented. The quality of the fired product and the technical and economic parameters of the production of powders for basic refractories are described. Results on extraction of MgO into the fired products and an elemental analysis of caustic magnesite are presented. A possibility of two-stage firing in industrial conditions of reduced waste gases and quote of raw material consumption in the production process.

A laboratory separator and an industrial prototype developed by the Magnezit Integrated Works in cooperation with the Kola Branch of the Mekhanobr Institute for electroseparation of magnesite ores with an elevated content of dolomite and dolomitized magnesite are described.

An all-round investigation of the properties of refractories made from Zabaikal'sk magnesites showed that they can be widely used in very diverse areas of metallurgy, engineering, medicine, perfume production, and other industries.

Mechanical activation leads to partial breakdown of the crystalline structures of refractory materials, conferring a higher reaction state on them. This is manifest as a reduction in the temperature range in which the magnesite and dolomite undergo conversions during heating, and also in the greater degree of exposure of the periclase and chrome concentrate.

The investigation into the possibility of obtaining periclase-spinel refractories of the PShPKh type based on fused materials and hollow KhGSh granules obtained on the “Plazmatron” equipment, showed unsatisfactory sintering of the granules with finely milled bond and, as a result, poor factors for compressed strength and refractoriness- under-load.