Refractories are essential inorganic, non-metallic materials designed to retain their strength and structure at extremely high temperatures.
They serve as thermal barriers and protective linings in high-temperature apparatus, such as furnaces, kilns, and reactors, primarily in the steel, cement, and glass industries.
A well-engineered refractory must exhibit excellent refractoriness (resistance to melting), minimal thermal expansion, superior thermal shock resistance, and high stability against chemical attack from molten materials and slags. These properties are fundamental to ensuring process efficiency, energy conservation, and operational safety in thermal manufacturing.