What is the relationship between refractories and the steel industry?

Refractories are one of the indispensable basic materials in the iron and steel industry. Without refractories, steel smelting is impossible. The amount of refractory materials used in the iron and steel industry accounts for about 70% of the total output of refractory materials; similarly, without the development of the iron and steel industry, there will be no development of the refractory materials industry. The relationship between refractory materials and the steel industry is mainly manifested in:

(1) Refractories as a container for holding molten steel are an important guarantee for the stability and economy of the steel smelting process;

(2) Refractories play a very important role in ensuring the quality of molten steel.

The emergence of a new metallurgical process requires the support of new refractory materials. If this new refractory material does not appear, it will hinder the development of new metallurgical technologies. Conversely, if refractory materials suitable for new metallurgical technology are available, it will also promote the development of metallurgical technology. Therefore, refractory materials are the basic materials of the iron and steel industry rather than metallurgical auxiliary materials.