Influence of the total fines content on the thermal shock damage resistance of Al2O3–spinel castables

The thermal shock damage resistance of Al2O3–spinel castables containing 18 wt.% -30+10 mm top size aggregates with 31–41 wt.% -0.075 mm total fines and 6 wt.% -8+5 mm top size aggregates with 35 wt.% -0.075 mm total fines was investigated using the prism quench into water technique. Experimental results indicated that castables containing no more than 35 wt.% -0.075 mm total fines have better thermal shock damage resistance, regardless of the size and amount of the top size aggregates. The thermal shock damage resistance parameters, R⁗ and Rst, can be linearly correlated with the retained strength of castables, which increases with an increase in the magnitudes of R⁗ and Rst.