RESEARCH-AND-DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES ON REFRACTORY CERAMICS

A relatively small fraction of the total number of articles published annually (1,500-2,000) on refractory themes represent basic studies an d the group sampled here does not well reflect the overall commercial activity in refractories. For example, a very large effort is expended in the engineering of new methods of conveying and emplacing concrete s and in repairing all types of refractories. However, the larger refr actory companies are restructuring 'Research and Development' staffs a nd several are greatly expanding investment in research capabilities i n the areas of mix design, chemical additives, rheology of solid-liqui d systems, modelling of processing and structures, test method develop ment and studies of chemical mechanisms involved in corrosion, bonding , degradation by the atmosphere, and so on.