A Critical Review of Rock-Mineral-Based Refractories in Nigeria: Material Properties, Performance, and Economic Potential

Abstract

Refractories are very important in high temperature industrial applications because they can resist heat, corrosion and mechanical wear. These materials, which include refractory clay, high alumina, magnesite and silica-based refractories, play an important role in industries such as steel, cement, glass and ceramics. Clay refractory bricks, which consist of silica and alumina, are cost effective and widely used, while high alumina refractories have excellent oxidation and thermal shock resistance and are suitable for temperatures up to 1850 °C. Magnesite refractories are valuable materials in steelmaking because they are resistant to alkaline slags. Recent research has focused on optimizing local knowledge, especially in countries like Nigeria, to reduce import dependency. Data analysis shows the properties of various materials such as dolomite, aluminosilicates, quartz and magnesite. Dolomite’s refractory resistance up to 1778 °C makes it a suitable choice for hot applications, while silica bricks and quartz materials have also shown strong application potential in refractory materials. Rock mineral-based refractory has proven useful in industries such as steel production, adhesive production and ceramics, due to their strength, thermal insulation and corrosion resistance. Also, local exploration of rock mineral-based refractory materials and continuous research into their performance is important to meet the world’s need for effective, cost-effective solutions.