The Role of Andalusite in Enhancing the Physical & Mechanical Properties of Refractory Bricks: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

This study aims to systematically examine the role of andalusite in improving the physical and mechanical properties of alumina-based refractory bricks through the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach to the scientific literature published in 2016–2025. This study focuses on the impact of andalusite on cold compressive strength, thermal shock resistance, porosity, sintered density, and dimensional stability at high temperatures. The bibliometric method using the VOSviewer software was used to map research trends and the relevance of keywords such as “temperature,” “mullite formation,” and “shock resistance.” The analysis showed that andalusite plays an important role in forming secondary mullite during heating, which directly impacts the improvement of the microstructure and thermomechanical resistance of the material. In addition, andalusite also acts as a protector against slag penetration and chemical corrosion, making it a strategic additive in modern refractory brick formulations. Some studies have shown that andalusite pre-calcination can improve fracture modulus and volume stability and minimize sintering energy requirements. Using andalusite is also considered environmentally friendly because it can replace expensive materials such as tabular alumina or zirconia and be used from domestic sources. Furthermore, these findings significantly contribute to the development of material designs that are adaptive to extreme conditions, efficient in energy consumption, and potentially reduce maintenance costs in the long term. The conclusions of this study confirm that the use of andalusite in alumina bricks offers structural advantages, energy efficiency, and long-term sustainability, as well as opens up further research opportunities for developing high-performance fire-retardant materials in extreme temperature industries.