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Become a Part of the TFL Community!

Apr 26, 2018

TFL is excited to invite you to join our extended community. This is your opportunity to connect with us as we offer you our knowledge, experience, and expertise in the form of daily articles, videos, and other helpful information.


TFL values our customers above all else, and we work hard to provide unparalleled quality and care.
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Bringing You Value with Every Post

Most of our time is spent working hard for our customers, so we rarely get the opportunity to engage in proper conversations. Our blog will provide you with that opportunity. You’ll find informative, original content covering a variety of topics. Our goal is to offer thought-provoking articles that fall into one of the following categories:

1) Useful Tips, Strategies, and Information

We strive to provide you with information that’s useful to you about refractories and other related products. Accordingly, the bulk of our content will fall into this category.  We’ll cover a broad range of topics, giving you the full benefit of our expertise and years of experience. Learn more about refractory basics, materials, installation and more.

2) Industry updates

Every once in awhile there may be changes, advancements, or other updates specific to the refractory materials industry. Articles that feature industry news will be designed to give you a breakdown of what’s happening and how it may affect you.

3) Company news

 

Sometimes we may have company changes, growth or improvements that we want to share. These blog posts are intended to make you aware of our growth and progress and how it will benefit you. They’re also intended to give you an inside look at our company values and tell you a bit more about us . TFL prides itself on our unparalleled customer service, and look forward to giving a behind the scenes peek into that culture.

 

Join the Conversation

In addition to our original articles, we also share a wealth of other information and videos of interest from various sources across our several social media platforms. Connect with us on Facebook , Twitter , and LinkedIn to receive valuable information, updates and tips. We are so grateful to our customers, who have become part of our TFL family. Join us today!

Common Refractory Installation Mistakes
By Paul Fisher 17 May, 2023
When it comes to refractory installation, there are many things that can go wrong. Refractories are a crucial part of many industrial processes, and even small installation mistakes can lead to significant problems down the line. That’s why it’s essential to get it right the first time. Here is a look at some of the most common refractory installation mistakes and how to avoid them.
By Paul Fisher 21 Mar, 2023
We Are a Major Distributor for Plibrico Company LLC.
By Paul Fisher 01 Mar, 2023
When looking at multiple refractory vendors do your research
By Paul Fisher 19 Apr, 2022
The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Wastewater Treatment Plant, located on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, provides service for an estimated 740,000 people in the greater Oakland, California area. In addition to traditional wastewater treatment, the plant also collects and treats solid waste from Bay Area food and animal processing facilities, restaurants, and wineries, diverting this waste stream away from landfills. The methane gas that is generated from the decomposition of this solid waste is then used internally as a renewable source of energy to help supply the treatment plant’s energy needs. When EBMUD began looking for a way to upgrade the failing brick refractory lining in their emergency digester gas flare structure, they turned to TFL, Incorporated. TFL developed an innovative precast refractory shape system that would offer dependable performance, structural integrity, and ease of installation. The unique system of floating wall panels is held in place using tongue-and-groove tieback shapes, bolted to the existing concrete structure. The individual panels in the system can absorb thermal and mechanical stresses independently. Given the location, potential seismic loading was also considered in the development of the system. The existing flare containment building is an oval-shaped concrete structure, with inside dimensions of 17’ wide by 47’ long. The refractory lined upper section of the structure is just over 21’ tall. The refractory wall thickness is 4-1/2”. A 2” air gap between the refractory wall and the concrete wall allows for airflow and ventilation. The refractory wall system consists of 514 precast shapes of four basic types, all manufactured in TFL’s Houston, Texas facility. The shapes were cast using Plicast HyMOR 3000 KK, a low-cement castable refractory manufactured by Plibrico Company. Stainless steel needle fibers were used for added reinforcement and to improve resistance to thermal shock and cracking. The shapes were fired to 1250o F prior to shipment, optimizing strengths and allowing the flare structure to be immediately operational, without the need for a field dry out of the refractory. NTK Construction, Inc. of San Francisco, California, was the installation contractor for EBMUD.
By Paul Fisher 12 Oct, 2021
Mistakes happen, but here's a few that are can be avoided now, so you don't have to pay now.
By Paul Fisher 15 Jun, 2021
Over the years, the refractory industry has faced many challenges. Precast-shape technology has helped us overcome some of them. The technology is used across different industries to produce better results and save money. If you choose to work with refractory castables, the process needs to be perfect. The physical properties of the material are sometimes weakened during the manufacturing stages by several factors. It’s even more crucial to get it right when the complexity increases to secure the performance of the lining. You can take full advantage of a castable’s physical properties by casting precast shapes in a controlled environment with experts overseeing the whole process. When it comes to drying and firing a refractory castable, you want the best lining production. Precast shapes allow you to ensure that the bake-out schedule recommended by manufacturers is followed to the tee since they can be fired in a digitally-controlled furnace. The shapes can also be fired from all sides, reducing moisture and giving off a uniform look that diminishes cracks. Additionally, the lining is less susceptible to stress, and its performance is more predictable. Precast-shape technology has many benefits, and you should take advantage of it. If you’re ready to use precast shapes to optimize your next project, contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
By Paul Fisher 15 Jun, 2021
Don’t Settle for Extended Deliveries – Plibrico is Keeping Our Customers Happy in Today’s Unusual Market. Here’s How:
By Mansfield 13 May, 2021
Minimize Downtime And Increase Performance With Precast Refractory Solutions from TFL!  Precast Refractory Shapes can be used for a wide range of applications and industries ranging from foundry and boiler applications to petrochemical and refinery industries. Regardless of your industry or application, we have the expertise necessary to custom-manufacture durable precast shapes to meet your […] The post Durable Precast Refractory Shapes Manufactured To Your Exact Specifications. appeared first on Refractory Materials, Precast Shapes, and Custom Solutions.
Precast Refractory Shapes
By Mansfield 30 Apr, 2021
With Proper Attention to Dimensional Tolerances, Field Fit-up Problems With Precast Shapes Go Away   The manufacture of precast refractory shapes inherently requires the use of some type of mold or pattern to form the castable into the desired shape. Some precast applications may require extremely tight dimensional tolerances, while others require less. The level of […] The post TFL Uses Custom Molding Techniques to Make Precast Refractory Shapes With Extremely Tight Tolerances appeared first on Refractory Materials, Precast Shapes, and Custom Solutions.
By Mansfield 07 Apr, 2021
The Rewards of Being a Part of “The Hidden Industry” The modern refractory industry dates back to the 1860s in the United States and has left an indelible mark on our society. About 34 years ago, the American Ceramic Society commissioned the publishing of the book “REFRACTORIES: The Hidden Industry, A History of Refractories in […] The post Refractories Play a Pivotal Role in Virtually Every Industrial Process appeared first on Refractory Materials, Precast Shapes, and Custom Solutions.
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