Refractory Material Shelf Life

[macmet]

We have a large amount of castable refractory material that has been in storage for a couple years. It has been kept cool and dry for the most part. We also have a number of unopened buckets of super demon mortar that have been kept in similar condition.

What is typical for shelf life with these products? I do not expect to have any problems with mortar but am concerned with the castable. It is a 24R material.

Is there anyway I can check to see if the material would still effective?

Thank you.

 

[metengr]

We use a fair amount of refractory for our Power Boilers. I would check directly with the manufacturer.

 

[tommo]

not an expert here - but with experience in refractory, I would suggest that the only problem you may have is moisture absorption into the refractory over time.

When you go to use the refractory - heat it to 100C for a few hours, then perhaps ramp it to 2-300C and hold it for as long as you can, up to 24 hours, to dry out the trapped moisture.

The refractory should release the moisture and be ready to go without cracking due to the fact it is dry. Most refractory has this problem of absorbing moisture vapor and needing to be dried out before taking to temperature.

 

[arunmrao]

As a good practice castable refractory is always heated,a magnet piassed over the mass to catch any tramps and then it is cleared for use.

There should not be much problem in using the castables if lumps are not formed. If you still have doubt use it in less critical/severe zones before putting it to use in the more severe zones.

It is certainly not a good idea to discard.