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.


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

hemrickjg@ornl.gov

P: (865) 776-0758

F: (865) 574-6098

 

Secretary

William L. Headrick Jr

Ceramic Engineer

Missouri Refractories

1198 Mason Cir N

Pevely, MO 63070-1635

bill@refractories.net

P: (636) 479-7770

 

 



Vice-Chair

Jason Canon

Senior Refractory Engineer

Suncoke Energy

11400 Parkside Drive

Knoxville, TN 37934

jmcanon@sunocoinc.com

P: (865) 288-5228

 

 



Rules & Minutes  

Refractory Ceramics Division Rules


RCD Executive Committee Meeting Minutes: March 2009



Meetings  

 

 

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

 

Mark your calendars!

The St. Louis Section and the Refractory Ceramics Division of The American Ceramic Society will sponsor the 47th Annual Symposium on the theme “Additives for Monolithics” on March 23-24, 2011. The meeting will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, at the Hilton St. Louis Airport Hotel. Co-program chairs are Dave Tucker of CE Minerals and Ben Markel of Resco Products.


All ACerS Meetings



Awards  

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.

Allen Award Recipients


The Theodore J. Planje — St. Louis Refractories Award

 

2010 Winner: James L. Hill, Retired - ANH Refractories 

 

2009 Winner: James W. Stendera, Vesuvius USA


Nomination deadline for 2011 Award: December 1, 2010

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, 2010 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.



Resources  

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.



Job Opportunities  
ACerS Job Board