Refractory Ceramics Division
The Refractory Ceramics Division of The American Ceramic Society examines the science, production and application of ceramics for use at elevated temperatures and in other hostile environments. Members are involved in materials development, formulation, production, and engineering of refractories for the iron, steel, aluminum, and other nonferrous metal industries as well as the minerals processing, glass, cement, and petrochemical industries.
Refractory products are nonmetallic materials that withstand severe high temperature service conditions. They must resist chemical attack; withstand molten metal and slag erosion; endure thermal shock, physical impact, 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 that can contain or control high temperature processes, making them critical to the United States industrial base. Refractories line the furnaces and smelters that 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.
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 jewelry, 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.
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Division Chair James Hemrick Mechanical Properties & Mechanics Group Oak Ridge National Laboratory 1 Bethel Valley Road P.O. Box 2008 Bldg. 4515, MS-6069 Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6069 P: (865) 776-0758 F: (865) 574-6098
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Secretary
William L. Headrick Jr Ceramic Engineer Missouri Refractories 1198 Mason Cir N Pevely, MO 63070-1635 P: (636) 479-7770
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| Vice-Chair
Jason Canon Senior Refractory Engineer Suncoke Energy 11400 Parkside Drive Knoxville, TN 37934 P: (865) 288-5228
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| Rules & Minutes | |
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Refractory Ceramics Division Rules |
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| Meetings | |
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The St. Louis Section and the Refractory Ceramics Division of The American Ceramic Society will sponsor the 46th Annual Symposium on the theme “Innovative Materials for Energy Efficiency” on March 24-25, 2010. The meeting will be held in St. Louis, Missouri at the Hilton St. Louis Airport Hotel. Co-program chairs are Bill Headrick of Missouri Refractories and James Bennett of Albany Research Center.
View FINAL PROGRAM and REGISTRATION FORM here.
A partial listing of papers to be presented:
“CDS on Drying”, A. Hall - CDS, Inc.
“Dry-Out Index”, J. Peterson - ExxonMobil
“Development of Materials (Proppants) for Oil and Gas Recovery (Invited Paper)”, J. Hellman - Penn State Univ.
“DOE Industrial Technology Program - R&D Projects Selection Process and Energy Efficiency Assistance Activities”, M. Jha - US Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
“Current Legislative and Regulatory Issues Potentially Impacting Refractories”, R. Crolius - The Refractories Institute
“Improved Refractory Lining in Fired Units”, S. Chernack - Thermal Ceramics
“Quick Drying Castables Based Upon 80% Alumina Cements”, C. Alt and C. Parr - Kerneos S.A., Paris, France
“Advantages of Dense Calcium Hexaluminate Aggregate for Back Lining in Steel Ladles”, D. Zacherl - Almatis
“New Gunning Technology for Rapid Refractory Turnaround”, S. Libby - Vesuvius
“FIRE: An Example of Coopetition to Contribute to the Prosperity of the Refractory Industry”, M. Rigaud - FIRE
“SELEE CS-XTM: Performance of a Phosphate-free Reticulated Ceramic Foam Filter for Aluminum Cast Houses”, R. Olson - SELEE Corporation
“Carbon Based Materials for Severe Service Applications”, J. Labant - SGL Group / The Carbon Company
“Investigation of High Alumina Cement Shells for Investment Casting”, D. Snyder - Missouri S&T
“Solid Solution Effects on the MgAl2O4-MgGa2O4 System”, K. O’Hara - Missouri S&T
The 2010 Theodore J. Planje Refractories Award will be presented to James L. Hill, Retired - ANH Refractories on March 24th at 1:00pm.
University/Graduate Student talks are scheduled to be presented on March 25th.
If you are interested in participating in the Tabletop Exposition, contact Mary Reidmeyer at (573) 341-7519, maryrr@mst.edu or Patty Smith at (573) 341-6265, psmith@mst.edu.
Partial list of Exhibitors: Almatis, Aluchem, BassTech International, Calucem, Inc., CE Minerals, Christy Minerals, Cilas Particle-Size, Electro Abrasives / USEM, Fibercon International, Kercher Industries, Inc., Kerneos, Kyanite Mining, Matrix Enterprises, Missouri S&T, Orton Ceramic Foundation, Possehl Erzkontor N.A., Inc., Refractory Minerals, Rio-Tinto Alcan Specialty Aluminas North American, and Washington Mills. We still have space available if you are interested in participating.
Please note that a meeting of the ASTM International C-8 Committee on Refractories will be held on March 23rd, before this joint St. Louis Section/RCD conference. Please contact Kate McClung (610) 832-9717 for more information on this meeting.
The pre-registration fee of $225.00 or on-site registration fee of $275.00 ($125.00 for Emeritus/Seniors and $50.00 for students) includes the cost of your bound copy of the Symposium Technical Papers, Continental Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Coffee Breaks.
View FINAL PROGRAM and REGISTRATION FORM here.
For further information please contact Patty Smith at Tel: (573) 341-6265, Fax: (573) 341-6151 or email: psmith@mst.edu. .
Materials Science & Technology 2010 Conference and Exhibition - MS&T’10 combined with the ACerS 112th Annual Meeting, October 17-21, 2010 in Houston, Texas, USA |
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| Awards | |
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Alfred W. Allen Award The Theodore J. Planje — St. Louis Refractories Award
The 2010 Theodore J. Planje Refractories Award will be presented to James L. Hill, Retired - ANH Refractories on March 24th at 1:00pm.
2009 Winner: James W. Stendera, Vesuvius USA Nomination deadline for 2010 Award: December 1, 2009 In December 1967, the St. Louis Section of The American Ceramic Society announced the establishment of 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 “The Theodore J. Planje — St. Louis Refractories Award” in honor of his many contributions. Nominations received after December 1, 2009 shall be held for the following year. To request a nomination form please contact Patty Smith at P: (573) 341-6265, F: (573) 341-6151. |
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| Resources | |
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Refractory Applications and News - a bimonthly publication, RAN, covers the latest advances in raw materials, finished products, installation and research. The Refractories Institute - Promoting the interests of the refractories community, providing service and support to a vital industry. refractories - WORLDFORUM - A new technical and scientific journal for the entire refractories sector. Published twice a year in English. |
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