THERMBOND: Experience The Best.

 

Trouble viewing this page? click here.

In this Issue:

• Stellar Materials Celebrates 20 Year Anniversary!
  
• Summer Workshop Almost Sold Out!
  
• Stellar Spotlight: Stellar Materials International, S. de R.L. de C. V. is Now Open for Business in Mexico!
  
• Stellar to exhibit at Aluminium 2010 in Essen Germany this September
  
• Application Report: Secondary Reformer Repair

 

Established in 1990

Stellar Materials Celebrates 20 Year Anniversary!

Stellar Materials was incorporated on May 1, 1990. Stellar first began manufacturing Thermbond Refractories and Phoscrete Concretes operating out of a converted bowling alley on the corner of Eight Mile Road and Mound in Detroit Michigan.

Twenty years passed quickly and our refractory market expanded from our initial successes in the Aluminum and Metals industry to include loyal customers in Petroleum Refining, Power Generation, Waste Incineration, Rock Products and Cement. Today, our 80,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Whitmore Lake, Michigan is equipped with state-of-the-art robotic mixing and bagging equipment.

Stellar was recognized both in 1997 and in 1998 among Inc. Magazine’s 500 fastest growing small businesses. Our operations now include sales offices across the United States, plus global operations in The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Brasil, and most recently, Mexico (see article below).

Stellar’s unique and patented Liquid Phosphate Binder System saves our customers millions of dollars in operating costs every year. Thermbond is specified by name across many industries. Over 80 different Thermbond and Phoscrete formulations were developed to address specific refractory and concrete requirements including abrasion resistance, extended setting times, and patching materials.

In light of this milestone we gave ourselves a little makeover. We updated our logos and renamed our newsletter to “Thinking Thermbond.” Please visit our updated websites, www.thermbond.com and www.phoscrete.com.

We also have a new Thermbond motto, “EXPERIENCE THE BEST.” Thermbond refractory customers experience the best technology, quality, and attention to customer service.

On behalf of the world-wide management and staff of Stellar Materials, thank you for your business and support. We look forward to delivering the best refractory and concrete solutions to you for the next twenty years and beyond!

Testimonial from a Casting Coordinator in the Aluminum Industry: 

"Thermbond Formula 2104-L was installed as a repair to the most severe wear furnace hearth. Refractory repairs to this hearth area have been very unsatisfactory in the past.  Formula 2104-L was installed and has provided amazing ability to withstand the abrasion and mechanical abuse that no other refractory has been able to provide."

 

Testimonial from a Thermbond Workshop Attendee:

“This was the best workshop I have ever attended. I never lost interest and I learned so much. I feel I will retain what I learned and I feel more confident about sharing what Thermbond can offer.”

 

Stellar Spotlight:   Stellar Materials International S. de R.L. de C. V. is Open for Business in Mexico!

Stellar Materials Incorporated is proud to announce the opening of Stellar Materials International, S. de R.L. de C.V. headquartered in Garza Garcia, Mexico. Thermbond has experienced past success in the Aluminum industry and we look forward to expanding our presence in all industrial markets across Mexico.

We are also pleased to introduce our new Managing and Sales Director, Luis Berlanga.

Luis has an Engineering degree in Metallurgy.  In his early years, Luis worked in aluminum and iron foundries gaining expertise in manufacturing and production. Prior to his employment with Stellar Materials, Luis was the General Manager of an international company servicing the aluminum industry in Mexico.

Luis is very active in numerous associations serving the aluminum and foundry industry in Mexico including the Foundryman’s Society. He serves as a board member of the Mexican Institute of Aluminum- IMEDAL.

Contact Information:

Stellar Materials International, S. de R.L. de C. V.
Luis Berlanga
Managing and Sales Director
Av. Batallon de San Patricio 109 Sur. Piso 19
Col. Valle Oriente, San Pedro Garza Garcia, N.L.
C.P. 66260
Tel: (52) 81 8161 0586
Fax:(52) 81 4780 2203
Main: (52) 81 4780 2312
luis.berlanga@thermbond.com

v   

Testimonial from a plant manager at a primary aluminum melter: 

"We have been utilizing Thermbond Refractories in our furnaces for over 3 years now with great success. The Formula 4-L is used below the metal line in critical areas such as the hearth. The Formula 5-L is used above the metal line and the Formula 3-L is used in the furnace roof. Thermbond has saved us in the scope of repair work due to its unique bonding to existing refractory and in down time due to Thermbond’s rapid heat up capabilities."

Visit Stellar at Aluminum 2010 in Essen, Germany! 14-16 September 2010 Stellar Materials International is exhibiting at Aluminium 2010 in Essen, Germany. Stop by our booth 2B04 and visit with President David Mintz, Vice President of Sales Tom Atkins, Vice President of Engineering Jens Decker, and EU Sales Director Marcel Grootveld. We hope to see you there!

 

Maintenance Manager in the Power Industry

We had a local contractor gunite Thermbond Formula 6-AG for 2 years now for all of our burner throat repairs as well as new refractory throats. Thermbond Formula 6-AG holds up better than any other refractory to our knowledge because of its bonding capabilities and the ability to start the unit up rapidly.

Application Report 

Secondary Reformer Repair

Industry: Petrochemical

Description of Equipment: Top Section of Secondary Ammonia Reformer (NHз)

Problem: Conventional refractory had deteriorated badly. The customer was not sure the lining would last until the next outage in two years and did not want to take time to tear out and reline. Customer required a repair material that would bond to the existing remaining lining and potentially last at least two years when their next major outage was scheduled. At that time, they would replace the complete top section of the Secondary reformer.

Solution:  Use a gunning version of Thermbond to repair worn out high alumina refractory. Thermbond was selected for its fast dry-out, fast heat-up and its ability to bond to existing refractory.

Damaged area of upper cone section	Surface cleaned and anchors welded into place for installation of Thermbond Formula 18-G	Completed repair prior to unit being put back into operation

Product Being Replaced: Conventional high alumina refractory

Benefits Using Thermbond: Valuable time was saved because of Thermbond’s ability to bond to existing refractory eliminated tear-out time and larger volumes of refractory to be installed. Thermbond’s fast dry-out capabilities enabled customer to begin production three days earlier than expected. The two-year lifespan of the repair will result in huge savings for the customer since major repairs will be postponed until the planned outage.

Products Applied: Thermbond Formula 18-G

Method of Installation: Gunning

Equipment Used: 850 CFM air compressor; Allentown double chamber gunning machine; Stellar’s activator pump and gunning nozzle set up.

Scope of Work: The old loose, oxidized, cracked refractory was removed. Stainless Steel (V) anchors were welded to the existing anchors where possible to bring anchors to 1” below desired finished depth of the refractory. Depth of repair varied from 3” to 10” thick. Formula 18-G was applied by gunning. The repair took four days to complete.

Installation Date: August 2009

Follow Up: Inspection to be completed in One year, during next planned mini-outage.

For additional information regarding this application report, please contact Stellar's Refining Petrochemical Industry Specialist, Ted Hagberg at ted.hagberg@thermbond.com

To view this application report in a printable format, please click here. 

 

Stellar Materials Incorporated is a privately-held corporation headquartered in Boca Raton, FL with manufacturing facilities in Whitmore Lake, MI, stocking warehouses worldwide, and wholly-owned subsidiaries in Rotterdam NL and Abu Dhabi UAE., Mexico and Mongaguá -SP Brasil.
Stellar Materials Incorporated 7777 Glades Road, Suite 200 Boca Raton, Florida 33434 USA (561) 330-9300	Stellar Materials International, LLC Nieuw Mathenesserstraat 39 - 41 Unit 1 B 3029 AV  Rotterdam The Netherlands +31 (10) 2460264		Stellar Materials M.E. FZE P.O.Box No 10559 Ras Al Khaimah United Arab Emirates +971506891327
Stellar Materials do Brasil Avenida São Paulo 1380 sala 07 - Centro Mongaguá - SP Brasil 11730-000 +55-13-3448-6516		Stellar Materials International, S. de R.L. de C. V. Av. Batallon de San Patricio 109 Sur. Piso 19 Col. Valle Oriente, San Pedro Garza Garcia, N.L. C.P. 66260 Mexico (52) 81 4780 2312

 

Subscribe to Thermbond Bulletins     

Unsubscribe from Thermbond Bulletins     

Contact Stellar Materials

Previous Bulletins

Access our web site

Thermbond and Phoscrete are registered trademarks of Stellar Materials Incorporated.
Copyright 2010 Stellar Materials Incorporated. All Rights Reserved