Innovative Materials for Advanced Solutions

Your Partner in Refractory Solutions

For over 50 years, commitment to quality and innovation has been at the core of everything produced by AJF Inc. from our highly sought-after nozzle fill sand to an extensive range of refractory shapes and castables. With manufacturing facilities in Michigan and Alabama, our products are crafted to meet the stringent demands of the metal industry, assuring optimal performance. With AJF Inc., customer satisfaction remains paramount, ensuring all solutions not only meet, but exceed expectations.

What we do

Manufacturer in New Boston, MI | AJF Inc.

Nozzle Fill Sand

Meticulously developed to meet the unique requirements of steel making facilities worldwide, our ladle nozzle fill sands enhance the seamless flow of steel from the ladle, supporting varied steelmaking and foundry practices. Each blend is custom-designed, not just to meet, but to transcend our clients’ manufacturing needs, optimizing their free-open performance.

Beyond merely supplying the correct sand, our focus extends to deploying effective delivery methods for precise sand placement, ensuring optimal efficiency. This dedication to tailor-made solutions and operational effectiveness underscores our commitment, not just to the sand business, but to pioneering in the free open industry.

Related Products

Clean Flow Series

This series utilizes a chromite/silica sand blend perfectly suited for environments requiring standard to extended residence times. Engineered for reliability and efficiency, the Cleanflow Series ensures optimal performance under a broad spectrum of operational conditions, setting a benchmark for quality in the industry.

Zircon

Renowned for its exceptional properties, Zircon is a standout with its high refractoriness and melting point of over 4000°F, accompanied by superior thermal conductivity and minimal thermal expansion. This makes Zircon an excellent choice for operations demanding the utmost in heat resistance and stability.

Silica

Celebrated for its versatility, Silica is distinguished by its high purity, excellent thermal stability, and strong resistance to thermal shock. With its ability to withstand elevated temperatures and maintain dimensional integrity, Silica is widely utilized in applications requiring consistent performance under extreme heat and fluctuating conditions.

Zirflow Series

The Zirflow Series stands out with its unique mix of zircon, chromite, and silica, making it the ideal choice for long residence operations or particularly challenging conditions. This blend is crafted to deliver unparalleled performance, ensuring durability and reliability when it matters most.

Sand Cartridges

Revolutionizing ladle operations, the Sand Cartridge System is ingeniously designed to promote the uninterrupted flow of steel. By preventing potential obstructions, this system ensures efficiency and effectiveness, marking a significant advancement in ladle maintenance and operation.

Chromite

Valued for its strength and durability, Chromite is defined by its high refractory qualities, exceptional resistance to basic slags, and stability at elevated temperatures. Its combination of toughness and chemical resistance makes Chromite a trusted choice for demanding industrial environments where both thermal endurance and reliability are critical.

AVSM – Anti-Vortexing Steel Measurement Device

The AVSM, crafted by AJF Inc., innovatively controls vortexing and accurately measures steel bath depth in the tundish. Its precision is due to its unique geometry and specific gravity, which allow it to consistently locate at the slag/steel interface. This ensures that any changes in bath depth are relayed in real-time via a sight device at the top of the tundish, preventing slag carry-over into the mold.

Key Benefits of the AVSM

Significantly increases yield, with improvements ranging from 1 to 15 tons per tundish drain.
Provides more accurate steel depth measurements compared to variable load cells or coils.
Effectively prevents slag carry-over into the mold, enhancing overall process efficiency and product quality.

Well Blocks

Well blocks, engineered by AJF Inc., are high-density, precast refractory components tailored for ladles, accommodating inner nozzles or purging plugs. These blocks boast superior refractoriness, alongside exceptional erosion and corrosion resistance, enhancing production durability.

Materials and Customization

AJF Inc. utilizes a variety of premium materials, including Magnesia-Alumina spinel and no-cement or low-cement high alumina castables. Options for stainless steel fiber reinforcement or firing to customer specifications are available. Material selection is meticulously matched to each customer’s needs, taking into consideration resistance to physical impacts and slag management.

Castables

AJF Inc. specializes in top-quality castables, delivering exceptional performance and durability. Our offerings include high alumina, magnesia, and spinel castables, each engineered for specific industrial applications.

Alumina Products (QLC series)

Engineered for high heat strength and volume stability.
Applications: Steel and Iron Ladle Bottoms,
Impact Pads, Furnace Deltas, Well Blocks.

Magnesia Products (QMag series)

Made from high-purity MgO; noted for density and stability.
Applications: Electric Furnace Runners and Breast Blocks, Various Tundish Shapes, Ladle Lip Rings, Well Blocks.

Spinel Products

Based on white fused alumina; no-cement with magnesium aluminate spinel.
Applications: Ladle Well Blocks, Argon Plug Blocks, Induction Furnaces, Crucibles.

Liberty Cast QLC-85C: Elevate Furnace Performance

Boost your furnace’s efficiency with Liberty Cast QLC-85C. This specialty mix, designed for EAF Deltas, DC Donuts, and Furnace Electrode Sleeves, leverages high-purity, coarse aggregate, 85% AL2O3 low-cement to shield against slag penetration, thermal spalling, and hot gas/particle erosion.

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Key Benefits

Thermal Spalling: Resists surface peeling and halts crack progression with high-purity aggregates and stainless steel needles for temperature resilience.
Slag Penetration: Features high AL2O3 content and low porosity for minimized FeO slag penetration, reducing melt and wear while improving spalling resistance.
Hot Gas and Particle Erosion: Durable aggregates defend against erosive hot gases and particles, preventing liquid phase formation and ensuring a strong refractory matrix.

QSP-94C for Extreme Conditions

For exceptionally harsh EAF operations, consider our. With 94% AL2O3, MA-Spinel formation, and no-cement composition, they offer superior slag resistance and exceptional longevity in service.

QRam Ramming Mix Series

QRam Z Series – Zircon-Based Mixes

QRam-Z and QRam-AZS are pre-wetted mixes made from high-purity zircon sand and a liquid silicate binder, designed for straightforward application. They are ideal for:

EAF runner maintenance
Steel ladle bottoms (leveling and safety lining)
AOD vessels (lip repair)
Induction furnace lining (for stainless heats)
Interface between steel ladle brick and top retainer ring

QRam K Series – Chromite-Based Mixes

QRam-K and QRam-TK are composed of high-purity chromite and are perfect for both hot and cold patching. Use them for:

EAF runner maintenance
Steel ladle bottoms (safety lining)
Concast tundish (launder patching)
Copper furnace runner and launder applications

QRam KN Series – Kyanite-Based Mixes

The QRam-KN mix includes high-purity kyanite, silica, and a liquid silicate binder. It is adaptable for hot and cold patching and suitable for:

EAF runner maintenance
Concast tundish (launder patching)
Each QRam series is specifically engineered for high-temperature environments, providing tailored, durable, and efficient refractory solutions.

Ready to experience unparalleled quality and service? Reach out to us today and discover how AJF Inc. can elevate your projects with our exceptional solutions.