Refractories
In addition to kiln shelves we carry a complete line of refractory materials for any kiln building or repair project. Whether your need is for a small Raku kiln or a multi-chamber, wood fired, climbing kiln we can supply a complete bill of materials. We can even arrange for design and construction! Our experienced refractory sales staff has helped many studio and production potters bring their kiln vision to life. From bricks to ceramic fiber, we can supply it all and at very competitive prices.
As full line stocking distributors for Harbison Walker Refractories, Unifrax Corporation, Saint-Gobain Ceramics and BNZ Materials, we have a great selection the finest refractory products available anywhere.
Here is a partial list of specific refractory product lines for kiln construction and repair:
| Manufacturer | Products Available |
| Alsey Manufacturing | Intermediate Duty Fire Brick and Mortar Fireplace Quality Brick |
| BNZ Materials | Insulating Brick, Marinite Boards |
| Harbison Walker Refractories (AP Green, General, North American) | Brick, Mortars, Plastics, Castables, Insulating Brick |
| HTCO | Hi Temp "Refrasil" Textiles and Blankets |
| P K Insulations | Mineral Wool Boards, Bulks & Insulating Cements |
| Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics | Silicon Carbide Kiln Shelves Advancer® & CN-192® Silicon Carbide Special Shapes |
| Technical Assistance | Just ask and we will do our best… |
| Specialty Refractory Custom Cutting | Beams, supports and posts cut to order |
| Unifrax Corporation | Ceramic Fiber Insulation to 3000 F Bulk, Blankets, Papers, Mixes, Anchors Boards, Modules, Coatings, Vacuum Cast Shapes |
Smith-Sharpe Fire Brick Supply (SSFBS), the parent company of Kilnshelf.com, is proud of their distribution partnership with the following partial list of refractory manufacturers:
Unifrax or the old Carborundum "Fiberfrax" refractory ceramic fiber (RCF) products.
Harbison-Walker refractory materials, having been a long time "AP Green" distributor until AP Green, Harbison-Walker and North American refractory manufacturers combined s ANH Refractories keeping many of the refractory brands you have come to trust and recognize. All their best products are here for your selection including firebrick, castables, mortars and AP Green Fireclay.
Saint-Gobain Ceramics includes silicon carbide kiln shelves, kiln furniture systems and other unique silicon carbide and alumina plates and shapes manufactured formerly as Carborundum and Norton brands.
BNZ Materials produces thirteen types of Insulating Fire Brick (IFB) for use in applications from 2,000°F (1,093°C) to 3,200°F (1,760°C). Each type is formulated to meet specific thermal and physical requirements and after firing is machined to precise tolerances. Of particular interest to potters is the BNZ 2660 insulating brick that was developed specifically for use in ceramic kilns to resist pre-mature shrinking on the hot face. This is a premium product, which will pay for itself many times over in extended kiln life.
View our "Safe Handling of Ceramic Fiber Materials in Small Firing Kilns" Monograph.
View the "Lighten up" article from Pottery Production Practices, a supplement of Ceramic Industry Magazine, co-authored by Marshall Browne and Mike Arbini. You can download a PDF version of the article here. This article is loaded with valuable information about choosing and using Advancer® kiln shelves.
Check out the "Saving Space" article from Ceramic Industry's Pottery Production Practices magazine to see how Advavcer kiln shelves are making money for two ceramic artists in their production studios.You can downlaod a PDF version of the article here.
