The book provides, in a compact format, basic knowledge and practically oriented information on specific properties of refractory materials, on their testing and inspection, and on interpretation of test results. Tables and illustrations are used to clarify fundamental concepts on a comparative basis. This pocket format manual provides an overview of the diverse range of modern refractories and their application-relevant properties. Its main feature is a series of practice-derived articles by well-known authors in the field on the various material groups and their characteristic property data.

The content has deliberately been kept concise and instructive, abstracting and more detailed works are referenced.