Warning: My crucible lining failed after just 8 pours last week

I had a crack form in the new rammed lining on my #70 crucible furnace and it dumped molten bronze all over the floor, has anyone else had this happen with that pre-mix refractory from the supply house?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_anthony1mo ago

Actually that "ate a hole through my concrete" part isn't quite right @hayes.joel. Molten bronze won't burn through concrete like that, it just cools and solidifies on top. Probably just left a nasty stain or chipped the surface when you broke it loose. Still a scary mess though, glad nobody got hurt.

hayden_nelson851mo ago

Whoa, did that brand you switched to say anything about back-to-back pours on the label?

hayes.joel1mo ago

Got the same thing happen with my #50 furnace last fall. Used that pre-mix straight from the bucket, followed the directions exactly, and it still blew out on the sixth pour. Hot bronze ran across the shop floor and ate a hole right through my concrete. Real mess to clean up. I think that refractory just doesn't stand up to the thermal shock of repeated pours, especially if you're doing back to back melts. Switched to a different brand and haven't had a crack since.