Forming refractory masses and composition of matter for use in forming

Abstract

In processes of forming a refractory mass on a surface, a mixture of refractory particles and oxidizable particles which react exothermically with oxygen to generate sufficient heat to soften or melt at least the surfaces of the refractory particles are sprayed against that surface to bring about formation of said refractory mass. To promote the reliable and consistent formation of a durable refractory mass, the granulometry of the particles which are sprayed in the mixture is such that the 80% and 20% grain sizes of the refractory particles (that is, the screen mesh sizes G.sub.80 and G.sub.20 through which respectively 80% and 20% by weight of the particles will pass) have a mean greater than the mean of the 80% and 20% grain sizes of the oxidizable particles and the size range spread factor f(G) of the refractory particles is at least 1.2, where ##EQU1## In a composition of matter for spraying against a surface to form a refractory mass, which consists of such a mixture, the granulometric requirements are the same, and the exothermically oxidizable particles are present in an amount between 5% and 30% by weight of the mixture, and the granulometry of said particles is such that the mean of the 80% and 20% grain sizes of the refractory particles is greater than the mean of the 80% and 20% grain sizes of the oxidizable particles and that the size range spread factor (as herein defined) of the refractory particles is at least 1.2.