Assessment of Refractory Material Quality for Industrial Furnaces Using Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Measurements

In this paper, the role of ultrasound pulse velocity (UPV) testing in assessing material integrity in commercial refractories is highlighted as one of the essential aspects of robust quality assurance. As part of the standard evaluation of refractory, ceramic, and concrete materials, UPV testing is traditionally conducted after the manufacture of the material. Nevertheless, this study proposes a novel approach that incorporates UPV tests prior to temperature curing at an intermediate stage. Experimental investigations intentionally introduce damages, including artificial voids simulating various defect types, before heat treatment. Healthy and damaged regions exhibit significant differences in terms of UPV and the acoustic nonlinearity parameter. Research findings suggest proactive testing at the intermediate stages of the manufacturing process can enhance structural integrity and overall quality of refractory materials.