What is the typical service life of refractory bricks?

There’s no fixed standard for the service life of refractory bricks. It depends primarily on the operating environment and specific working conditions, ranging from a few months to over a decade. Simply put, the key factors affecting the service life of refractory bricks are:

Operating temperature

This is the most crucial factor. If the actual operating temperature exceeds the rated temperature of the refractory fire bricks for a prolonged period, the brick structure will quickly deteriorate, significantly shortening its service life.

Frequency of thermal shock

This refers to the frequent operation and shutdown of the kiln. These drastic temperature fluctuations can cause cracks in the fire bricks, and with excessive frequency, the bricks can flake or even break.

Erosive media

In the kiln, fire bricks are exposed to various high-temperature gases, molten slag, or liquid metal. These substances can chemically react with the refractory bricks or directly abrade them, leading to continuous wear and tear.

Mechanical wear

During loading and unloading or kiln cleaning, refractory bricks are subject to physical impact and friction, a common cause of damage.

Masonry Quality

Uneven brick joints, insufficient mortar, or stress between bricks during construction can create weak points and lead to premature failure of refractory bricks.