🔍 Key Concepts

• Nichrome wire properties when exposed to high heat in a boiler furnace • The purpose of castable refractory vs plastic refractory in furnace repairs • How metal anchoring/reinforcing is used to support refractory materials in place

💭 Think About

• Think about why a high‑temperature alloy wire like nichrome would be chosen instead of ordinary steel in a boiler furnace patch • Consider whether nichrome’s role is more about holding refractory in place, reinforcing its structure, or only applying to one specific type of refractory • Ask: in practice, when patching furnace walls or floors, which refractory products actually need mechanical support or tying to the furnace casing?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify what castable refractory is (consistency, how it is installed, how it cures) • Verify what plastic refractory is and how it differs in application from castable • Check which refractory types commonly require metallic anchors or reinforcement to prevent sagging, cracking, or falling out under high heat