Refractory Bricks – Service Characteristics in Furnaces and Kilns Refractory bricks used in furnace linings and kilns are selected for their ability to resist which of the following service conditions?

Introduction:
Refractory bricks are engineered ceramics placed in the hottest and harshest parts of furnaces and kilns. This question checks whether you recognize that refractories must withstand multiple simultaneous degradations rather than a single factor in isolation.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Applications: furnace crowns, burner blocks, kilns, stoves, regenerators.
• Exposure: extreme heat, corrosive slags and gases, and possible moisture or steam during heat-up or shutdown.
• Requirement: structural integrity and minimal chemical interaction.

Concept / Approach:

Proper refractory selection balances refractoriness under load, thermal shock resistance, chemical compatibility with slags/gases, and resistance to moisture related spalling. Therefore the correct choice acknowledges the combined challenges encountered in service.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Manufacturer data sheets specify refractoriness under load, corrosion indices against slags, and guidance for drying out to manage dampness and steam pressure.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Choosing only one stressor ignores the real world combined exposure. Abrasion only is insufficient without thermal and chemical resistance.

Common Pitfalls:

Over focusing on maximum temperature rating while overlooking chemical compatibility and moisture management during commissioning and shutdown.

Final Answer:

All of the above (combined severe service)