Glass Industry

Five Glass Furnace Types Covered on This Page

End-Fired Glass Furnace

Commonly used for container glass, daily-use glass and medium or small glass production lines. Key areas include the charging end, melting tank, ports and regenerators.

Side-Fired Glass Furnace

Commonly used for float glass and large glass tank furnaces. Key refractory areas include the crown, breast wall, sidewall, bottom and regenerators.

Oxy-Fuel Glass Furnace

High combustion temperature and strong alkali vapor corrosion make the crown, breast wall, glass contact line and throat especially important.

Electric Glass Furnace

Often used for specialty glass, borosilicate glass and glass fiber. Electrode blocks, sidewalls, bottom blocks and flow channels require stable refractories.

Crucible Furnace

Suitable for art glass, small-batch glass and specialty glass production. This section can support long-tail product keywords.

Glass Furnace Diagrams with Refractory Area Markings





Refractories for End-Fired Glass Furnaces

In an end-fired furnace, flame enters from one end and returns in a U-shaped path. The port area, melting tank sidewalls, bottom and regenerators are key refractory zones.

  • Superstructure: High-purity Silica Bricks, Fused AZS-31#/33#/36#/41# Bricks, Fused β-Al₂O₃ Bricks
  • Melting Tank: AZS-33# Bricks, Fused Zirconia Mullite Bricks, Large Fireclay Bricks
  • Working Tank: Fused α-Al₂O₃ Bricks, Fused AZS Bricks, Silica Bricks, β-Al₂O₃ Bricks, Sintered Mullite Bricks
  • Regenerator: Silica Bricks, Magnesia Chrome Bricks, High Alumina Bricks, Fireclay Bricks, Magnesia Bricks
  • Flue: Fireclay Bricks


Recommended Refractories for Key Components of Glass Furnaces

Furnace Type Key Components Common Refractories Recommended Refractories
End-Fired Furnace Furnace Melting tank, crown, regenerator Tank wall: AZS-33;
Crown: silica brick;
Checkerwork: magnesia-chrome brick
Tank wall: shrinkage-free AZS-41;
Crown: high-density silica brick;
Checkerwork: direct-bonded magnesia-chrome / high-purity magnesia brick
Side-Fired Furnace Melting tank, crown, breastwall, regenerator, ports Tank wall: AZS-33;
Crown: silica brick;
Checkerwork: magnesia / magnesia-chrome brick
Tank wall: 30% Cr₂O₃ chrome-zirconia-alumina brick;
Crown: premium silica brick;
Checkerwork: magnesia-zirconia / fused-cast mullite brick
Oxy-Fuel Furnace Melting tank, crown, breastwall, sidewalls Crown: fused-cast AZS / alumina;
Tank wall: AZS-33–41
Crown & breastwall: fused-cast α-β alumina or ER1851 AZS;
Tank wall: high-zirconia ER1195
Electric Furnace Melting tank, electrodes, throat, upper structure Tank/electrodes: AZS-41; Crown: high alumina / fireclay brick Tank/electrodes: shrinkage-free AZS-41;
Crown: high alumina brick;
Cooling section: α-β alumina brick
Crucible Furnace Crucible, furnace lining Crucible: clay-kaolin / fused silica;
Lining: fireclay brick
Crucible: fused silica / high alumina / platinum, depending on glass;
Lining: high-grade high alumina brick + lightweight insulation

Common Refractory Products for Glass Furnaces

Glass Furnace Refractory FAQs

What refractory material is commonly used for glass furnace sidewalls?

Glass furnace melting tank sidewalls commonly use fused cast AZS brick because this area is exposed to high-temperature glass liquid and requires strong resistance to corrosion and erosion.

Why is silica brick commonly used for glass furnace crowns?

Glass furnace crowns operate at high temperature and carry structural load. High-quality silica brick provides good refractoriness under load and high-temperature volume stability.

Where are AZS 33#, AZS 36# and AZS 41# used?

AZS 33# is often used in general glass contact areas, AZS 36# is suitable for stronger corrosion zones such as sidewalls and glass contact lines, and AZS 41# is commonly used in critical areas such as throats and flow channels.

How should regenerator checker bricks be selected?

Regenerator checker bricks should be selected according to flue gas temperature, dust composition, blockage risk and heat exchange efficiency. Common options include high alumina, magnesia-alumina, magnesia and mullite checker bricks.

What is the difference between end-fired and side-fired furnace refractory design?

End-fired furnaces focus more on the end port area, regenerators and flame return zone. Side-fired furnaces are usually larger and require stronger overall refractory design for the crown, breast wall, sidewall and regenerators.


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