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The March 2019 issue of ACerS Bulletin is now available online.

In this month’s issue, two feature articles take a look at how monolithic refractories handle a delicate balance in a tough environment. Author Stephen Karns explains the challenges in choosing refractories for fluid catalytic cracking units, because petrochemical refining refractory materials must handle not just heat but abrasion. In the second article, author Charles E. Semler tracks the history of the industry’s adoption of monolithic castable refractories, starting with early breakthroughs in the 1950s and through increased R&D in the 1990s.

A range of factors arising in 2017 and spilling into 2018 significantly compounded the shortage of key refractory mineral exports from China. In this month’s ‘IMFORMED Insights’ column, IMFORMED director Mike O’Driscoll talks about how industry is dealing with the lack of raw materials from China.

Also in the March issue, you will see recaps from ACerS January meetings, EMA 2019 and ICACC 2019. Additionally, you’ll want to check out the tentative schedule of events for ICG 2019 and the plenary speakers for GFMAT–2 and Bio–4—two important meetings coming, respectively, in June and July. And be sure to read this month’s ‘Deciphering the Discipline‘ column on the Indian pottery industry by guest writer Arjak Bhattacahrjee—he directed India’s first documentary on ceramics!

Finally, take a look at what to expect in Cleveland this year at Ceramics Expo 2019. Featuring a new two-day format, Ceramics Expo 2019 is expected to showcase more than 300 organizations on the exhibit floor, 45+ expert speakers at two parallel conference sessions, and more than 3,000 visitors.

You’ll find a lot more interesting content inside this—and every issue—of the ACerS Bulletin. The current issue is free to all for a short time, but remember that all the valuable content in over ninety years of past issues of the ACerS Bulletin is free only to members—so considering joining us today!

Author

Lisa McDonald

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