IRE UK Training 2025 – Keeping it Together – Bond Systems for Refractories

The IRE held its annual UK Conference and Training days in November 2025. This also included the annual dinner which was on the evening of the UK Conference day.

UK Training Day 2025 Overview

• Training: Keeping it Together – Bond Systems for Refractories
• Date: Thursday 20th November 2025 – 09:00 – 16:30
• Location: The Quays Hotel, Victoria Quays, Furnival Road, Sheffield, S4 7YB, United Kingdom

Confirmed Topics

• Introduction – What is a bond system? Why do we need a bond system? Different types of bond mentioned.
• Sintering – How does sintering work? Surface energy, necking, solid/liquid state sintering, phase diagrams, Firing temperatures, Sintering aids, De-binding,
• Heatwork – Cement bond Cement types (% CaO), Hydrates, CA phases, Fume silica addition, curing, dryout, spinel formation
• Resin Bond – Liquid/solid resins. Carbon-bonded refs, curing, Benzo-alpha pyrene hazards
• Chemical Bond – Phosphate bond, Borates, Colloidal binders, organo-silicon bond
• Others – Hydratable alumina, Clay bond, Pozzolan
• Additive Manufacturing (3D-printing) – Technical ceramics, Special shapes 3D printing for large items
• Forming Methods – Brick-pressing (MgO-C, firebrick, high-alumina, spinel etc) Isostatic pressing (SEN, pouring tubes, cold/hot isopress), Slip-casting (Glass tank blocks) Investment casting (Jet turbine blades) Pre-cast shapes (No-cement castables, complex shapes) On-site casting, gunning, pouring, ramming

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