This study aimed to address the cresol-based odor generated during the
pyrolysis of phenolic resin in MgO–C refractories. To achieve this, a hybrid
binder comprising an aliphatic epoxide without aromatic rings and a
phosphorus-based flame retardant ...
This study aimed to address the cresol-based odor generated during the
pyrolysis of phenolic resin in MgO–C refractories. To achieve this, a hybrid
binder comprising an aliphatic epoxide without aromatic rings and a
phosphorus-based flame retardant was developed and its performance was
systematically evaluated using MgO–C refractories. The incorporation of the
phosphorus-based flame retardant increased the carbon residue of the aliphatic
epoxide from 1.33% to 23.59%. GC–MS analysis also confirmed that no odorinducing
aromatic compounds, including phenol and cresol, were detected
during pyrolysis. Furthermore, XRD analysis after heat treatment at 1500 °C
under a reducing atmosphere revealed no significant differences in phase composition between the specimens prepared with the hybrid binder and those
prepared with the resol binder. Post-curing and post-thermal-treatment
evaluations showed that the MgO–C refractories containing the hybrid binder
exhibited higher porosity, lower bulk density, and reduced fracture strength
than those prepared with the resol binder, mainly due to the limited carbon
residue inherent to the aliphatic epoxide. Although kneadability and
moldability were maintained at levels comparable to the resol system under
industrial-scale processing conditions, the high-temperature properties—
including hot modulus of rupture (HMOR), oxidation resistance, thermal shock
resistance, and slag corrosion resistance—were generally inferior. Nevertheless,
the aliphatic epoxide–based binder without aromatic rings demonstrated
promising potential as an environmentally benign alternative capable of
effectively suppressing odor and harmful emissions. Further enhancement of
the carbon residue through synergistic combinations of multiple flame
retardants or optimization of phosphorus-based additives could facilitate the
development of a practical binder that ensures both environmental benefits and
industrial applicability for MgO–C refractories.