A lining for a metallurgical vessel is configured to have an engineered porosity. The lining contains a plurality of regions, each extending in a primary plane of the lining, each region having a differing value of total pore or perforation area as measured in a primary plane of the lining. The lining may be used to form part or all of the working surface of the floors or walls of the vessel. In casting use the lining produces an oxidation buffering layer at an interphase of metal melt extending from the interface between metal melt and the walls and floor of the metallurgical vessel, such that when in casting use, the metal flow rate in said oxidation buffering layer is substantially nil, and the concentration of endogenous inclusions, in particular oxides, in said oxidation buffering layer is substantially higher than in the bulk of the metal melt.

A lining for a metallurgical vessel is configured to have an engineered porosity. The lining contains a plurality of regions, each extending in a primary plane of the lining, each region having a differing value of total pore or perforation area as measured in a primary plane of the lining. The lining may be used to form part or all of the working surface of the floors or walls of the vessel. In casting use the lining produces an oxidation buffering layer at an interphase of metal melt extending from the interface between metal melt and the walls and floor of the metallurgical vessel, such that when in casting use, the metal flow rate in said oxidation buffering layer is substantially nil, and the concentration of endogenous inclusions, in particular oxides, in said oxidation buffering layer is substantially higher than in the bulk of the metal melt.

Processes of forming or repairing a structure for use in high temperature applications may include intermixing a sodium nitrite (NaNO.sub.2) additive with a refractory material; and applying the refractory material to a structure surface.

A reinforced refractory container having a cast refractory container which includes a sidewall defining an interior volume, the sidewall having inner and outer surfaces, the container cast from a castable refractory composition, and a wound, continuous fiber tensile reinforcement structure integrated with the container sidewall. A method of fabricating the reinforced refractory container is also provided.

A reinforced refractory container having a cast refractory container which includes a sidewall defining an interior volume, the sidewall having inner and outer surfaces, the container cast from a castable refractory composition, and a wound, continuous fiber tensile reinforcement structure integrated with the container sidewall. A method of fabricating the reinforced refractory container is also provided.

A refractory unit for lining a high temperature vessel includes a refractory body formed from a refractory material. The refractory body has an upper main surface, a lower main surface, an inner surface configurable to face a high temperature chamber, an outer surface configurable to face away from the high temperature chamber, a first side surface and a second side surface. An elastic member is attached to the outer surface.

An unfired, refractory molded body (1), especially a plate, especially for thermal insulation of molten metal and/or an ingot solidifying from molten metal, that includes a binding agent matrix (2) of a set binder and aggregate grains (3) of biogenic silicic acid, preferably of rice husk ash, which are incorporated into the binding agent matrix (2), wherein the binding agent matrix (2) consists of silica gel, as well as a process for its production and its usage.

An unfired, refractory molded body (1), especially a plate, especially for thermal insulation of molten metal and/or an ingot solidifying from molten metal, that includes a binding agent matrix (2) of a set binder and aggregate grains (3) of biogenic silicic acid, preferably of rice husk ash, which are incorporated into the binding agent matrix (2), wherein the binding agent matrix (2) consists of silica gel, as well as a process for its production and its usage.

A reinforced refractory container having a cast refractory container which includes a sidewall defining an interior volume, the sidewall having inner and outer surfaces, the container cast from a castable refractory composition, and a wound, continuous fiber tensile reinforcement structure integrated with the container sidewall. A method of fabricating the reinforced refractory container is also provided.

A reinforced refractory container having a cast refractory container which includes a sidewall defining an interior volume, the sidewall having inner and outer surfaces, the container cast from a castable refractory composition, and a wound, continuous fiber tensile reinforcement structure integrated with the container sidewall. A method of fabricating the reinforced refractory container is also provided.