Some special products

developed by Sigma

Sigma has developed several products and in particular a zircon-mullite

quality for furnace bottom back-up, a high alumina (99 % Al2O3) refractory for
forehearth channels, a high refractoriness under load sillimanite for forehearth
superstructures and a special tube for feeders.

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1. Zircon-mullite product (trade mark ZCM 30)

It is a pressed zircon-mullite quality specially derived for the glass furnace

bottom back-up due to its high resistance both to glass corrosion and metal
penetration.

Actually, the high zirconia content like a fused cast product (32 % ZrO2) and
the very low porosity (12 – 14 %) of this material fired at very high
temperature make it the most suitable refractory for a furnace bottom.

Here below the technical data sheet of ZCM 30

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS Al2O3 % 36÷ 38

ZrO2 % 31 ÷ 33
SiO2 % 28 ÷ 30
Fe2O3 % 0,2 ÷ 0,4
BULK DENSITY kg/dm3 3,10 ÷ 3,20
APPARENT POROSITY % 13 ÷ 15
COLD CRUSHING STRENGTH N/mm2 ≥ 100
REFRACTORINESS UNDER LOAD °C ≥ 1650
SEGER CONE 32
REVERSIBLE THERMAL EXPANSION % (°C) 0,60 (1000)
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY 400 °C W/m °K 2,3
700 °C W/m °K 1,9
1000°C W/m °K 1,7

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And the X-ray analysis

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2. High alumina product (trade mark A 95 V)

It is mainly used for forehearth channels.

The right ratio of tabular alumina (synthetic alumina) and corundum (fused
cast alumina) and the high firing temperature in intermittent kilns are the
main reasons of its high density (3,0 – 3,1 Kg/dm3) and corrosion resistance,
which is very close to that of fused alumina channels till 1270 °C.

Moreover this quality like fused cast has a very low glassy phase, thus causing
no defects in the glass.

Here below the technical data sheet of A 95 V

MINERALOGICAL COMPOSITION α Alumina

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS Al2O3 % 97÷ 99
SiO2 % 1,0 ÷ 2,0
Fe2O3 % 0,05 ÷ 0,1
BULK DENSITY kg/dm3 2,95 ÷ 3,05
APPARENT POROSITY % 17 ÷ 19
COLD CRUSHING STRENGTH N/mm2 ≥ 50
REFRACTORINESS UNDER LOAD °C ≥ 1630
SEGER CONE 40
REVERSIBLE THERMAL % (°C) 0,80 (1000)
EXPANSION
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY 400 °C W/m °K 1,9
700 °C W/m °K 2,0
1000°C W/m °K 2,1

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And the X-ray analysis

And some pictures

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3. High refractoriness under load sillimanite
(trade mark SL 60 V)

This product is used above all for forehearth superstructures when very high
resistance to compression at high temperatures is required.

The use of an alcoholic binder avoids the presence of clay in the refractories,
thus not increasing the quantity of alkalies (Na2O, K2O) responsible of the glassy
phase.

A lower glassy phase means a higher refractoriness under load (higher than
1600 °C) and a better vapour corrosion resistance, thus better performances of
forehearth superstructures.

Here below you can see a picture of an alcove superstructure:

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Here below the technical data sheet of SL 60 V

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS Al2O3 % 61 ÷ 63

SiO2 % 35 ÷ 37
Fe2O3 % 0,8 ÷ 1,0
BULK DENSITY kg/dm3 2,35 ÷ 2,45
APPARENT POROSITY % 21 ÷ 23
COLD CRUSHING STRENGTH N/mm2 ≥ 50
REFRACTORINESS UNDER LOAD °C ≥ 1600
SEGER CONE 37
REVERSIBLE THERMAL EXPANSION % (°C) 0,55 (1000)
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY 400 °C W/m °K 1,4
700 °C W/m °K 1,5
1000 W/m °K 1,6
°C

And the X-ray analysis

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4. Patented tube (trade mark ZM 7-32 KV)

S.I.G.MA has developed a tube with a new geometry to solve the problems of
thermal shock and improve gob homogeneity.

The new concept tube is grooved along its length and incorporates specially
configured holes, thus avoiding stress normally associated with drilled holes.

This special shape and the decrease of mass increase the heat transmission
from the outside to the inside of the tube improving the glass homogeneity and

consequently both the glass quality level and lowering the number of rejected
glass articles.

Here below a picture of the new tubes

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And the technical data sheet of ZM 7-32 KV

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS Al2O3 % 39 ÷ 41

SiO2 % 26 ÷ 28
Fe2O3 % 0,2 ÷ 0,4
ZrO2 % 31 ÷ 33
BULK DENSITY kg/dm3 2,90 ÷ 3,0
APPARENT POROSITY % 20 ÷ 22
COLD CRUSHING STRENGTH N/mm2 ≥ 80
REFRACTORINESS UNDER LOAD °C ≥ 1630
SEGER CONE 34
REVERSIBLE THERMAL EXPANSION % (°C) 0,57 (1000)
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY 400 °C W/m °K 2,3
700 °C W/m °K 2,0
1000 °C W/m °K 2,1

And the X-ray analysis