How should air-setting phosphate bonded refractories be mixed?

Mixing air-setting phosphate bonded refractories requires a method that ensures a homogenous mixture while adequately blending the components to achieve the desired properties. A rotating paddle mixer is designed to effectively combine the raw materials and additives, creating a uniform consistency crucial for the performance of the refractory material.

Using a rotating paddle mixer facilitates thorough mixing through its design, which allows for continuous movement and blending of the materials. This type of mixer applies sufficient shear and mixing action to the ceramic constituents, ensuring that the phosphate binders are evenly distributed throughout the mix. Proper mixing is essential to achieve the optimal setting characteristics and strength of the final product.

In contrast, mixing with a manual mixer or a handheld drill might not provide the same level of consistency and might lead to incomplete mixing or uneven distribution of the materials, which can adversely affect the performance of the refractory. Using an open bucket for mixing would also be less efficient and may not achieve the necessary homogeneity, as it lacks the mechanical advantages of a rotating paddle mixer. Therefore, using this specialized mixing equipment is critical for ensuring the quality and integrity of air-setting phosphate bonded refractories.