Density of Refractory Materials

The density of refractory materials varies depending on the specific type of material used. Generally, refractory materials have relatively high densities to ensure stability and durability under extreme thermal conditions.

The following table provides a comprehensive list of density values for various refractory materials at standard room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atmospheric (atm) pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)

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Density of Refractory Materials
Alumina brick (64-65 wt% Al2O3)1842
Brick, fireclay2000
Brick, hard-fired silica (94-95 wt% silica)1800
Brick, high alumina (53 wt% alumina) (20% porosity)2330
Brick, high alumina (83 wt% alumina) (28% porosity)2570
Brick, high alumina (87 wt% alumina) (22% porosity)2850
Brick, kaolin insulating (heavy)430
Brick, kaolin insulating (light)300
Brick, magnesite (86 wt% MgO) (17.8% porosity)2920
Brick, magnesite (87 wt% MgO)2530
Brick, magnesite (89 wt% MgO)2670
Brick, magnesite (90 wt% MgO) (14.5% porosity)3080
Brick, magnesite (93 wt% MgO) (22.6% porosity)2760
Brick, normal fireclay (22% porosity)1980
Brick, siliceous (25% porosity)1930
Brick, siliceous fireclay (23% porosity)2000
Brick, sillimanite (22% porosity)2310
Brick, stabilized dolomite (22% porosity)2700
Brick, vermiculite485
Calcium oxide (pressed)3030
Calcium oxide (packed powder)1700
Carbon brick (99 wt% graphite)1682
Carbon brick (fired)1470
Chrome brick (100 wt% Cr2O3)2900 - 3100
Chrome brick (32 wt% Cr2O3)3200
Chrome-magnesite brick3000
Chrome-magnesite brick (52 wt% MgO, 23 wt% Cr2O3)3100
Diabasic glass (artificial)2400
Diatomaceous earth brick440
Diatomaceous earth brick (850°C)440
Diatomaceous earth brick (fused at 1100°C)600
Diatomaceous earth brick (high burn)590
Diatomaceous earth brick (molded)610
Dolomite (fired) (55 wt% CaO, 37 wt% MgO)2700
Dolomite brick, stabilized (22 wt% silica)2700
Egyptian fire (64-71 wt% silica)950
Egyptian firebrick (64-71 wt% silica)950
Fireclay brick (54 wt% SiO2, 40 wt% Al2O3)2146 - 2243
Fireclay brick, Missouri2645
Fireclay brick, normal (22 wt% water)1980
Fireclay brick, siliceous (23 wt% water)2000
Forsterite brick (58 wt% MgO, 38 wt% SiO2) (20% porosity)2760
Fused-alumina brick (96 wt% alumina) (22% porosity)2900
High-alumina brick (90-99 wt% Al2O3)2810 - 2970
Kaolin brick, insulating (dense)430
Kaolin brick, insulating (light)300
Magnesite brick (95.5 wt% MgO)2531 - 2900
Mullite brick (71 wt% Al2O3)2450
Silica brick (95-99 wt% SiO2)1842
Silicon carbide brick (80-90 wt% SiC)2595
Vermiculite brick485
Vermiculite insulating powder270
Vermiculite, expanded (heavy)300
Vermiculite, expanded (light)220
Zircon brick (99 wt% ZrSiO4)3204
Zirconia (stabilized) brick3925
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017.