Synthesis of mullite aggregates from fly ash: effect on thermomechanical behaviour of low cement castables

Abstract Refractory aggregates were synthesised from beneficiated fly ash by reaction sintering with calcined alumina at 1600°C, and 83% mullite yield was achieved. The aggregates had low porosity, low thermal expansion and good refractoriness. To study compatibility in castable refractories, the aggregates were used in high alumina cement based low cement castables and their thermomechanical behaviour was studied. Microstructural characterisation revealed that the emergence of new bond phases such as mullite and calcium hexa-aluminate had a beneficial effect on the hot modulus of rupture and creep resistance of castables. An attempt was made to establish a structure–property relationship.