Refractories Technology Training
This comprehensive course is designed for professionals working with high-temperature industrial processes who want to deepen their understanding of refractory materials. Covering all critical aspects, from material selection and performance to installation quality and failure analysis, the course equips participants with the knowledge to make informed decisions and improve refractory system reliability.
The course provides in-depth coverage of:
- Refractory material properties, chemistry, and global market trends.
- Manufacturing processes for shaped and unshaped products.
- Application environments and performance challenges.
- Refractory testing methods and their purpose.
- Design principles, including thermal and structural considerations.
- Inspection techniques and root cause analysis for refractory failures.
- Best practices for installation, quality control, and start-up procedures.
Through theory and real-world case studies, participants will develop the skills needed to select the right materials, troubleshoot problems and ensure high-performance refractory systems across various industries. Whether you're planning a refractory installation, troubleshooting system issues, or aiming to optimise performance, this course provides practical tools and industry insights to help ensure efficiency, longevity and safety in your processes.
The content is split across two days:
Day 1:
Section 1 - Refractory fundamentals:
- Introduction to refractories
- Classification of refractories
Section 2 – Refractory production:
- Overview of refractory raw materials
- Refractory formulation overview
- Quality control in refractories
Section 3 – Refractory installation:
- Overview of refractory installation methods
- Overview of drying and firing
Section 4 – Lucideon site tour
Day 2:
Section 5 – Refractory failure modes:
- Overview of chemical corrosion
- Overview of mechanical failure
- Investigating onsite failures
Section 6 – Refractories test procedures:
- Connecting properties to performance
Section 7 – Refractories design and use:
- Designing a vessel
- Refractories for various industries
Section 8 – Refractory testing lab demonstrations
Learning outcomes
- Understand the fundamental structure and composition of refractory materials, including their chemical and physical properties.
- Identify and evaluate appropriate refractory materials for various industrial applications based on service conditions and performance requirements.
- Interpret and apply results from key refractory tests, understanding their relevance and limitations in real-world scenarios.
- Assess refractory performance under operational conditions, including thermal, mechanical, and chemical stresses.
- Diagnose common refractory failures, moving beyond basic inspection methods to advanced techniques for identifying root causes.
- Apply principles of refractory system design, considering thermal efficiency, structural integrity, and economic factors.
- Plan and manage high-quality refractory installations, including pre-installation preparation, material and equipment qualification, and quality control procedures during and after installation.
- Communicate effectively with production, maintenance, and installation teams to ensure alignment on refractory-related decisions and actions.
- Critically evaluate refractory specifications and data sheets for informed material selection and procurement.
- Understand global trends and challenges in the refractory market and how they impact material availability, cost, and innovation.
Skills obtained
- Problem solving
- Material selection skills
- Analytical and diagnostic skills
- Troubleshooting
- Quality control
- Inspection techniques
- Knowledge of refractory properties and applications
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes for refractories
Who will benefit?
This course is ideal for engineers, material scientists, plant operators, maintenance personnel and technical professionals involved in the selection, design, testing, installation and performance of refractory materials. Whether you work in ceramics, material science, industrial engineering, operations or maintenance, you’ll gain essential knowledge and practical tools to optimise refractory performance, prevent failures and enhance the quality and efficiency of high-temperature industrial processes.
What is included?
- 2 days of in-person training, delivered by Lucideon's Head of Refractories and Materials in Harsh Environments.
- This course includes a tour of Lucideon's testing facilities and the AMRICC Centre, a unique open-access facility that translates materials, processes, and technologies into real-world products and solutions through the commercialisation of innovative ideas.
- Practical demonstrations of lab testing for refractories also form part of the course. Please ensure you attend wearing closed toe shoes, any further required PPE will be provided for you.
- Refreshments and lunch will be provided for both days of training.
Available dates
The next available dates for this course are 6th and 7th August 2025