LAUSR

Abstract In this work, the gaseous species (AlxOy) of metal Al has been thermodynamically analyzed and discussed under air embedded in coke breeze. The resin bonded Al–Al2O3–ZrO2 refractories are prepared to investigate the effect of metal Al and AlxOy(g) on phase composition and micro-structure at high temperatures under air embedded in coke breeze. The results show that under air embedded in coke breeze, the partial pressure of gaseous Al2O(g) is most and closely followed by Al2O2(g) at 1000–1500 K and Al(g) at 1500–2100 K by order of magnitudes. Using metal Al as raw materials to replace graphite, non-oxides such as Zr2Al3C4, Al4O4C and (Al2OC)1-x (AlN)x are present within the resin bonded Al–Al2O3–ZrO2 refractories. Different with the traditional Al2O3-(ZrO2)–C refractories, the bonding type between Al2O3 aggregates changes from carbon into non-oxides. AlxOy(g) have a great influence on the formation of Al4C3 whiskers and (Al2OC)1-x (AlN)x whiskers. Al4C3 whiskers can transform into (Al2OC)1-x (AlN)x whiskers. Al4C3 whiskers form by the gas-gas reaction of Al2O(g) and CO(g) at above 1273 K, and (Al2OC)1-x (AlN)x whiskers form by the gas-gas reaction of Al2O(g), Al(g), N2 and CO(g) at above 1473 K.