Rheological behaviour of monolithic refractory ceramic castable matrix containing sustainable surface-modified graphite

This paper addressed the rheological performance of the slurry of a castable matrix containing surface-modified graphite along with the same prepared by as-received graphite without prior sonication. The flow behaviour of graphite-free matrix suspension of the same castable refractory was also observed. Comparison of rheology of aqueous suspensions (30 % solid loading) of coated and uncoated graphites without sonication has also been compared. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) study of both the graphites was observed to substantiate the flow pattern of slurries due to the evolution of hydrophilic nanocoating of doped ɣ-Al₂O₃ over coated graphites. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of both coated and uncoated graphites have been performed. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) study of calcined gel has been obtained. Another cement-free graphite-containing analogous matrix suspension of the similar castable has also been noticed in terms of rheological characteristics without sonication with special reference to their storage and loss moduli. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern with microstructural assemblage of selected matrices with increasing temperature was investigated to confirm the sustainability of surface-treated graphites.