Refractory shells

Pre-fabricated insulating refractory shells and functional refractory products.

ANDRITZ Metals Germany’s refractory division (formerly ANDRITZ FBB) has many years of global experience and is a world-leading supplier of pre-fabricated insulating shells made of refractory castables for skid pipe systems in underfired reheating furnaces (walking beam furnaces and pusher-type furnaces) in hot strip mills.

Our modular lining concept consists of pre-fabricated FB shells with a thermally optimized sandwich construction. That cuts installation times and significantly reduces furnace downtime during maintenance, thus increasing productivity. Functional refractory products for a wide range of high-temperature applications, such as in the aluminum industry, are also part of the ANDRITZ Metals Germany refractory product portfolio.

The refractory division at ANDRITZ has worldwide experience and is well known for its progressive thermal process technology, which serves established markets and is expanding into new markets. The division is also an established premium and OEM supplier of prefabricated insulating shells made of dense refractory castable and lightweight refractory castable for skid pipe systems in reheating furnaces (walking beam and pusher-type) in the steel industry.

Refractory shells are available in:

FB-fix (weldable solution)
FB-stick (non-weldable solution)
FB-bolt (non-welding solution).

FB-fix and FB-bolt
HV-shell

for general skid pipe designs (single and double designs from OD 88.9 mm–OD 245 mm)
weldable fixation and bolt fixation available
available in various refractory qualities (high temperature resistance, high strength, high insulation values...).

FB-fix and FB-bolt
U-shell

for all rectangular skid pipe designs (single and double designs)
weldable fixation and bolt fixation available
available in various refractory qualities (high temperature resistance, high strength, high insulation values...).

FB-fix and FB-bolt
Flat-shell

for all horizontal skid pipe dimensions (for all rectangular and round designs)
weldable fixation and bolt fixation available
available in various refractory qualities (high temperature resistance, high strength, high insulation values...).

FB-fix and FB-bolt
Top-shell

for the upper part of the horizontal skid pipe (ceramic roof; available for all pipe dimensions)
weldable fixation and bolt fixation available
available in various refractory qualities (high temperature resistance, high strength).

FB-fix and FB-bolt
Half-shell

for all vertical post dimensions (single and double designs from OD 88.9 mm–OD 245 mm)
weldable fixation and stickable fixation (= no welding necessary) available
available in various refractory qualities (high temperature resistance, high strength, high insulation values...).

FB-fix and FB-bolt
J-shell

for all round double vertical post dimensions (OD 88.9 mm–OD 245 mm)
weldable fixation and stickable fixation (= no welding necessary) available
available in various refractory qualities (high temperature resistance, high strength, high insulation values...).

FB-fix shielding shoe (“elephant shoe”)

to cover the slot opening of the mobile posts (reduces energy loss; protects the slot from falling refractory skid pipe insulation)
for all round vertical mobile post dimensions (from OD 88.9 mm–245 mm)
weldable fixation and stickable fixation (= no welding necessary) available.

Skid pipe lining concept with pre-fabricated insulating FB-shells

Increasing energy costs and CO₂ emission reduction targets are constant challenges all high-temperature process users face, which force them to optimize their processes. In addition to raw material and labor costs, the costs for energy and environmental protection measures are playing an increasingly important role. New technical solutions are required to improve energy efficiency and to reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions.
The skid pipe system is lined with pre-fabricated FB-shells made of refractory castables, typically with dense castable, and for better insulation with lightweight castable. The layout and configuration of the FB-shells with a thermally optimized sandwich design feature a modular lining concept to allow fast and easy installation.
This modular concept using pre-fabricated insulating FB-shells for the skid pipe system in reheating furnaces cuts installation time significantly – typically by around 75% compared to in situ installation. This reduces furnace downtime during maintenance, thus increasing productivity.

This modular concept using pre-fabricated insulating FB-shells for the skid pipe system in reheating furnaces provides a significant reduction in installation time, typically around 75% compared to an in situ installation. This reduces the downtime of the furnaces during maintenance, thus increasing productivity.

Refractory shells in operation

after 2 years

after 6 years

News

Schuler to be renamed ANDRITZ Schuler

2025-03-13

More than a decade after acquiring Schuler, the world's leading manufacturer of presses for the automotive industry, ANDRITZ is taking the next step towards integration: Schuler will be renamed ANDRITZ Schuler.

ANDRITZ to supply new cut-to-length line to Olympic Steel, USA

2025-02-11

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from Olympic Steel, Inc. to supply an innovative cut-to-length line for its facility in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

ANDRITZ to modernize electrical and automation systems at voestalpine steel mill

2024-12-12

International technology group ANDRITZ received an order from voestalpine to modernize the electrical and automation systems of a hot-dip galvanizing line at the steel mill in Linz, Austria.

More news

Success stories and references

BAOTI ROLLING MILL SYSTEM UPGRADING

ANDRITZ Metals has recently celebrated a remarkable achievement with the successful upgrade of the Baoti rolling mill system for Baoji Titanium Industry Co., Ltd. in Baoji, China. The project entailed a comprehensive update of the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) project migration to a new Industrial PC (IPC) with Windows 10, inclusive of all necessary licenses, and a level 2 systems upgrade to Windows 10 on new IPCs.

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