Rath has not only resumed production of forehearth 333 channel blocks, but has also developed new, premium zircon-mullite channels.
Rath has recently started supplying the FOURATH420 zircon-mullite channels to its customers.
Continuous research and development are a top priority at Rath.
A recent example of this is Fourath4, an advanced feeder expendables series based on an optimised formulation exclusively developed and produced by Rath.
“Fourath4 has been tested thoroughly in our laboratories and confirmed by outside, independent laboratories.
"In cooperation with several customers, Fourath4 has successfully passed the first trials in glassworks over the last 2-3 years.
"Customer feedback on the product performance of the Fourath4 series confirms its high level of efficiency and quality in glass production,” says Robert Nusszer, Head of Sales Glass, Rath.
During the R&D process, Rath selected the highest quality raw materials to keep the impurity level to a minimum and achieve the lowest possible glass corrosion, infiltration, devitrification, and blistering rate.
To be more competitive on the market, the entire manufacturing process was converted from clay-bonded slipcasting to chemically bonded vibrocasting.
“This brings some significant advantages to our customers. The product quality is improved, with better corrosion, infiltration and devitrification resistance, better thermal shock and crack resistance, and longer service life due to a more compact mix, better surface quality, significantly lower porosity and higher CCS,” adds Robert Nusszer.
“Better product quality and longer service life – this is how we also support the glass industry in its sustainability efforts.”
New channel block qualities
Rath has recently started supplying the Fourath420 zircon-mullite channels to its customers.
“The first installations were done in May/June 2023 with great success. We currently have several ongoing projects in the production phase and will continue to expand our forehearth business segment in 2024 to offer our customers a complete refractory package,” Robert Nusszer says.
In addition to the development of Fourath4, Rath has resumed the production of forehearth 333 channel blocks at the US facility in Owensville.
The channel blocks are manufactured using the original 333 formulas with the original casting technology, which made the mix popular on the market from Europe to the USA and Asia.
Rath are at Glassman Latin America next week on stand E21. Mr Nusszer is also set to provide a presentation, Installation of feeder expendables from a refractory perspective, at 15:20 on Wednesday May 15.
