State of the art of lightweight aggregates used in lightweight refractories for working lining of high-temperature furnaces

Lightweight refractories for the working lining of high-temperature furnaces play an important role in the smelting of advanced steels and superalloys. To prepare lightweight refractories for the working lining of high-temperature furnaces, the synthesis of lightweight aggregates is the basis. Recently, the research on the synthesis of lightweight aggregates with high service temperature, low thermal conductivity, high strength, and good slag resistance has received widespread attention. The available literature on the synthesis of lightweight aggregates was summarized, including corundum, mullite, mullite–corundum, spinel, corundum–spinel, cordierite, cordierite–mullite, calcium hexaluminate, corundum–calcium hexaluminate, bauxite, magnesia, magnesia-based, and forsterite-based aggregates. Finally, the future development trend of lightweight aggregates was proposed.