High alumina bricks are one of the most important types of refractory materials used in high-temperature industrial processes. These bricks, composed of Al₂O₃ content ranging from 48% to 80%, are designed to perform in some of the most demanding conditions, including steel, cement, and glass industries. Highland Refractory, a leading manufacturer, offers a range of high alumina bricks to meet the specific requirements of various industrial applications, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.
In this article, we will explore the key characteristics of Highland High Alumina Bricks, providing insights into their performance, industrial applications, and how to select the right grade based on specific furnace or kiln requirements.
Highland Refractory’s High Alumina Bricks are premium refractory bricks with an Al₂O₃ content of ≥48%. These bricks are particularly known for their ability to resist high temperatures, handle acidic slag, and offer excellent thermal shock stability, making them ideal for use in industries with extreme heat and harsh conditions, such as steel manufacturing, cement production, and glass furnaces.
However, when choosing the right high alumina brick for your application, it’s crucial to go beyond just the price. For example, opting for lower-grade alumina bricks in high-temperature hot blast stoves or furnaces may lead to softening and deformation within 6 months, drastically increasing maintenance costs.
Highland offers a variety of high alumina bricks in different grades to meet specific needs:
Grade I (≥75% Al₂O₃) – for high-temperature, high-load environments.
Grade II (65%-75% Al₂O₃) – for a balanced combination of performance and cost.
Grade III (48%-65% Al₂O₃) – for more economical, general-purpose applications.
Each product is specifically developed to match industrial scenarios, ensuring long-lasting, efficient, and cost-effective solutions.
Definition: The primary component of high alumina bricks, Al₂O₃, directly impacts the brick’s refractoriness, strength, and slag resistance. The higher the Al₂O₃ content, the better the brick can resist high temperatures, corrosive environments, and mechanical stresses.
Industrial Need: In steel applications, especially in hot blast stoves, where high temperatures and thermal stresses are prevalent, high Al₂O₃ content (≥75%) is essential to prevent softening and failure. For cement preheating kilns, a mid-range Al₂O₃ content (65%) balances performance and cost effectively.
Quantitative Standard + Brand Match: Highland offers three grades of high alumina bricks based on Al₂O₃ content:
Grade I (≥75% Al₂O₃) – ideal for high-temperature, high-load conditions (e.g., steel blast furnaces).
Grade II (65%-75% Al₂O₃) – perfect for medium to high temperatures in environments like cement preheating zones.
Grade III (48%-65% Al₂O₃) – designed for more economical applications, such as general-purpose kilns and flue gas ducts.
Definition: Refractoriness refers to the ability of the brick to withstand high temperatures without softening or melting, making it essential for extreme industrial environments.
Industrial Need: Applications like cement kilns (over 1600°C) and glass reheating chambers (over 1550°C) require high refractoriness. A failure to meet these requirements leads to quick deterioration of furnace linings, causing the loss of containment and safety hazards.
Quantitative Standard + Brand Match: Highland high alumina bricks have a refractoriness of >1750°C. Grade I bricks can withstand temperatures of up to 1800°C, significantly exceeding the 1700°C industry standard, making them the perfect choice for high-temperature applications.
Definition: Acid slag resistance refers to the brick’s ability to resist chemical corrosion from acidic slags, which is crucial in certain industrial processes.
Industrial Need: Steel blast furnaces often come into contact with acidic steel slag, and glass furnaces are exposed to acidic volatile gases. The right type of high alumina brick is necessary to prevent the lining from corroding or eroding, thus extending the lifespan of the furnace or kiln.
Quantitative Standard + Brand Match: Highland high alumina bricks exhibit superior acid slag resistance, with an erosion depth of ≤4mm after 24 hours in 1600°C acidic slag. This is 20% more resistant than standard high alumina bricks, making them ideal for industries that handle acidic materials.
Definition: Thermal shock stability refers to the ability of the brick to withstand rapid temperature changes (heating and cooling cycles) without cracking or spalling.
Industrial Need: Industries such as glass manufacturing and ceramic kilns, where furnaces experience frequent heating and cooling cycles, need bricks that can withstand these rapid fluctuations. Poor thermal shock stability can result in cracks or breaks, causing operational downtime and material leaks.
Quantitative Standard + Brand Match: Highland high alumina bricks undergo 30 thermal shock cycles at 1100°C with no cracking or spalling, far surpassing the industry standard of 20 cycles. This makes them an ideal choice for high-frequency, start-stop operations.
Definition: Mechanical strength refers to the ability of the brick to withstand physical stresses such as impact or pressure. Low mechanical strength can lead to cracks and damage, leading to premature failure.
Industrial Need: Steel blast furnaces undergo heavy load bearing, while cement kilns experience intense pressure from material movement. High mechanical strength ensures that bricks can endure these conditions without breaking.
Quantitative Standard + Brand Match: Highland high alumina bricks feature a compressive strength of ≥50MPa at room temperature, with Grade I bricks reaching ≥60MPa, much higher than the industry average of 40MPa. At 1400°C, these bricks still maintain a compressive strength of ≥30MPa, ensuring that they remain intact under intense physical stress.
Selecting the right high alumina brick requires considering the specific demands of your industrial environment. Here are some key guidelines:
Temperature Resistance: Choose bricks with higher Al₂O₃ content (Grade I) for high-temperature environments (e.g., steel blast furnaces), and mid-range content (Grade II) for medium temperature applications (e.g., cement kilns).
Slag Type: For acidic slag environments (e.g., steel furnaces), opt for high alumina bricks with excellent acid resistance.
Thermal Shock: If your furnace experiences frequent heating and cooling cycles (e.g., glass kilns), prioritize bricks with high thermal shock stability.
Mechanical Strength: For high-load environments (e.g., steel ladles), ensure your bricks have high compressive strength to withstand heavy materials.
Example Applications:
Steel Blast Furnace (≥1650°C, Acidic Slag) → Use Highland Grade I high alumina bricks.
Cement Preheater (1600°C+, Alkaline Slag) → Use Highland Grade II high alumina bricks.
General Kiln or Furnace (≤1500°C) → Use Highland Grade III high alumina bricks.
Highland Refractory provides free consultation services to help you match the ideal brick type and grade to your specific furnace or kiln conditions.
Highland High Alumina Bricks offer a combination of high refractoriness, slag resistance, thermal shock stability, and mechanical strength that makes them the ideal choice for industries requiring durability, efficiency, and safety. Whether you need high-performance solutions for steel, cement, or glass industries, Highland’s bricks are engineered to meet these needs with precision and reliability.
Highland Refractory uses high-purity raw materials, including Shanxi calcined bauxite, to manufacture bricks that undergo rigorous testing for quality assurance. We also offer a full-service support package, including pre-sale consultation, on-site guidance, and after-sale quality assurance.
For more information on Highland High Alumina Bricks and to request a free sample testing or application case study, feel free to contact our experts today.
