The addition of non-wetting materials is a common practise to enhance the corrosion resistance of alumina-containing refractories used as linings for molten aluminium melting/holding furnaces. These additives assist in the lowering extent of reactions between molten aluminium and the refractory. In recent years, research has been conducted to investigate the effect of adding Ba-, Ca-, and P-containing materials to enhance the corrosion resistance of these alumina-containing refractories to molten aluminium and its alloys. However, there is ambiguity concerning the role of these additives particularly with regard to the interfacial mechanisms. The key aspects related to current knowledge in this research area are considered, with focus on the mechanisms affecting corrosion behaviour at high temperatures and the relevant thermodynamic and kinetic considerations.
