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Refractory products are nonmetallic materials which withstand severe high temperature service conditions. They must resist chemical attack; withstand molten metal and slag erosion; endure thermal shock, physical impact, and catalytic heat; and other rigorous conditions. Generally, refractory products are needed in processes where temperatures exceed 700°F. Some applications call for service temperatures of 3500°F or higher.

Refractory products are, in many cases, the only materials which can contain or control high temperature processes. Therefore, they are critical to the United States industrial base. Refractories line the furnaces and smelters which refine steel, copper, aluminum, and other metals. They are used in cement kilns and glass furnaces, as well as in petroleum cracking and processing. Power generators, boilers, and other combustion equipment all use refractories.

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Refractories have been used by humankind since earliest recorded history. When humans first began to smelt metals and shape primitive knives, hunting weapons, and ornamental rings and jewelery, crude refractory materials were developed to facilitate the pyroprocessing of the ores. As refractory practice developed, materials evolved which were ever more durable, lasting longer and longer before replacement was necessary.

2007-2008 Officers

The St. Louis Section and the Refractory Ceramics Division of The American Ceramic Society will sponsor the 45th Annual Symposium on the theme "Raw Materials" on March 25-26, 2009, in St. Louis, Missouri at the Hilton St. Louis Airport Hotel.  Co-program chairs are Bill Headrick of Morco and Dave Tucker of CE Minerals.

There will be a Tabletop Expo.  If you are interested in exhibiting, please contact Mary Reidmeyer at Tel: (573) 341-7519 or email: maryrr@mst.edu. 

Further symposium details and program information will be announced soon.

For additional information please contact Patty Smith at Tel: (573) 341-6265, Fax: (573) 341-6151 or email: psmith@mst.edu.

MS&T'O8
Materials Science & Technology 2008 Conference and Exhibition
October 5-9, 2008
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

For more information:   http://www.matscitech.org/2008/home.html

All ACerS Meetings

Alfred W. Allen Award
This biennial award was established to honor Alfred W. Allen's legacy as an educator, technical contributor and supporter of the Refractory Ceramics Division. The award committee shall select as the biennial award recipient, from the technical literature of the last two years, the author(s) of the technical paper on refractory ceramics which reflects the highest level of technical quality.
Alfred W. Allen Award

Call for nominations for:

The Theodore J. Planje -- St. Louis Refractories Award

Nomination deadline:  December 1, 2008

In December, 1967 the St. Louis Section of the American Ceramic Society
announced the establishment of an award to be known as "The St. Louis
Refractories Award." This has been provided in Article XII of the
by-laws of the St. Louis Section "for the purpose of recognizing and
honoring distinguished achievement in the refractories field." 

In March, 1982 the St. Louis Section voted to amend Article XII of the
by-laws. The award was renamed to "The Theodore J. Planje -- St. Louis
Refractories Award" in honor of his many contributions.

Nominations received after December 1, 2008 shall be held for the following year.

To request a nomination form please contact Patty Smith at

Tel: (573) 341-6265, Fax: (573) 341-6151 or E-mail:psmith@mst.edu.

Refractory Applications and News - a bimonthly publication, the premier technology journal for the global refractories industries, covers the latest advances in raw materials, finished products, installation and research.

Materials Science & Technology 2008 (MS&T'08) - The most comprehensive forum for materials science and engineering technologies.

The Refractories Institute - Promoting the interests of the refractories community, providing service and support to a vital industry.