[TheForge] Strengthening castable refractory

Fri Aug 22 23:37:01 2003

If it makes you feel better, I'd bet the refractory would usually crack
lengthwise.  That's just the way the shrinking stress would go.  And maybe
the worst thermal expansion stress.

Mine is a complete tube and it cracked across the top where the burner holes
are located, just as you'd expect.  People here said to put a relief joint
in there with cardboard.  But it was too much a hassle at the time.  It
would have been better, maybe.  But mine is fine.  If it was a half pipe I
bet it wouldn't have cracked.  It's free to shrink.

Donna at Smith Sharpe said any stainless reinforcing would burn out.  I
believe it.  Maybe it would take a while, I dunno.  But my forge is
insulated with ceramic fiber and if you lift the fiber a bit, you see the
*backside* gets yellow hot.

Ed

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marc Godbout" <[email protected]>
To: "TheForge" <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:17 PM
Subject: [TheForge] Strengthening castable refractory

> I'm building a new forge. This one will have an arched roof made out of
> insulating castable refractory. The insulation will be in a metal shell
> - a half-pipe. Is there anything I could, or even should, do to
> strengthen it? Chances are it will crack at some time in the future due
> to heat. Since it's arched, a crack straight through will probably not
> affect much. But multiple cracks at the wrong angle could let a chunk
> fall out.
>
> I have a roll of stainless steel wire. Would using this as a sort of
> "rebar" make a difference? Any other thoughts?
>
> Thanks.
>
> --
> Marc Godbout
> http://www.ironringforge.com
>
> New England Blacksmiths Membership Director
> http://www.newenglandblacksmiths.org
>
>
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