Vulcan Refractories Limited, announced the launch of an addition to its Vulcasil H Range of refractory materials – the new Vulcasil HSC14 material, targeted to meet the demanding needs of the world’s aluminium industry. Following renewed interest from aluminium producers and processors in the properties of Aluminium Titanate, Vulcan has developed Vulcasil HSC14 as a direct replacement for custom-made refractory components currently manufactured using traditional materials such as Calcium Silicate or Fused Silica.

The aluminium industry acknowledges that where refractoties are in contact with molten aluminium, for example riser tubes and sprue bushes used in the low pressure die casting process, the low strength of Calcium Silicate material is a drawback leading to a shortened service life. Likewise, the disadvantage of Fused Silica refractory components is that they experience some wetting by the molten aluminium that degrades their in-service performance.

Commenting on the launch of the extended Vulcasil H Range, Nick Zienkowicz, Director said, “The results of our development programme and customer trials have shown that Vulcasil HSC14 Aluminium Titanate refractories easily outperform traditional materials. The enhanced operating performance and greatly extended service life of Vulcasil HSC14 is great news for the world’s aluminium producers and processors. The cost-benefit equation has moved decisively in favour of Aluminium Titanate.”

Vulcan recommends the use of Vulcasil HSC14 custom-made refractory components to the aluminium industry because of its proven benefits:

High Operating Performance

• Virtually non-wetted by molten aluminium
• Low thermal conductivity
• High thermal shock resistance

•  Specifying Vulcasil HSC14 promises a valuable extension to the service life of aluminium process plant components – offering an improved service life of up to 5 times that of Calcium Silicate and Fused Silica refractory components.
•  Productivity is significantly increased by less frequent “change-outs” so incurring less machinery down time and less waste. Considerable cost savings can be achieved over the plant’s total operating life.

Source: Vulcan Refractories Limited