Introduction

If in metallurgical practice there were a thermochemical equilibrium of the phases, e.g. liquid steel, slag, refractory material and atmosphere, there would be no chemical wear of the refractory material. Then, however, there would be no metallurgical work. On the contrary, in order to increase the material turnover, the distance to equilibrium is kept as large as possible during the entire process, to the disadvantage of the refractory lining. The lining dissolves and reacts chemically, forming or changing a slag. Furthermore, forming inclusions in the steel and escaping gaseous products. The physical and thermomechanical behavior of the lining also gives rise to wear. These are all undesirable processes.