3. Conclusion

Refractory ceramics, subjected to extreme conditions in the steel industry, undergo a wide variety of stresses.

Despite the considerable efforts made to diversify and optimize materials over the long term, it is impossible to find products capable of withstanding all types of stress: inevitably, the multiple and intense stresses experienced in the steel mill lead to a drop in service life between the upstream and downstream parts of the plant. However, the most appropriate choice of refractories is still necessary, as the consumption and cost of refractories are high (around 10% of the steel mill's total added value). There is therefore a considerable financial stake in finding the best refractory performance/price ratio for each tool. We're not looking for the best material or the most sophisticated refractory, but for the one that offers the best cost per tonne...