Refractory Materials are very  important, strategic and critically important building materials of furnace linings that enable the realization of high temperature related production processes of all metallic  and ceramic based materials. In addition to its resistance to high temperatures and thermal shocks, erosion and corrosion resistance are among the most expected features.

Refractory materials, which represent an important group within the ceramic material family, are the most important consumable/input material in the production of semi-finished and finished materials, especially in metallurgical industries, and affect the pricing of the final products produced.

Refractory engineers and specialized technical personnel are employed in refractory material manufacturers serving the sector in our country. Many researches are carried out in the world and in our country, especially in the Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Departments of universities and in the R&D centers of our industrial organizations in order to ensure better quality and economical refractory production and use for the needs of the sector. In order to train engineers who will specialize in refractory materials needed by the sector, various courses on "Refractory Materials" are given in our universities. The main purpose of writing this book is to ensure that my colleagues and all stakeholders mentioned above can have a source book in Turkish and that our students, who are the apple of our eyes, can benefit from it.

 The writing of a book, of course, requires a process and labor. In this process, I have tried to include current information and trends in the industry by researching them in the book. I am infinitely grateful to  my colleagues for their support and assistance. In particular, I would like to thank my dear classmate  Mr. Salih Cem Oral (General Manager of Erdemir Co.), Mr. Aykut Kırbaş (Secretary General of  Turkish Standards Institute), Mr. Hakan Semerci (Deputy General Manager of Sörmaş Co.), Mr. Ersin Düzgün (R&D Manager of Sörmaş Co.) , Mr. Yalçın Sönmezler (General Manager of Metamin Co.),  Mr. Ferhat Tocan (Factory and R&D manager of PiroMet Refrakter Co.), Mr. Sefa Özyılmazel (General Manager of Ateş Refrakter Ltd.)

I would like to thank my dear student Ahmet İzmitligil for his help in redrawing the technical figures and tables in the book, and to all my undergraduate/graduate students and colleagues I have trained, and wish them success. They have also made important contributions to my development.

I remember with love, longing and mercy my beloved sister Yasemin Yılmaz Coşkun, who passed away as a result of an unrelenting  illness when I was about to finish writing this book. May her soul rest in peace.

 Finally, I would like to extend my love and thanks to my beloved wife Prof. Dr. Okşan Karal Yılmaz, with whom I have shared every stage of my life and whose friendship and trust I have always felt, and to my only son Mehmet Can Yılmaz, an Industrial Engineering student.

Prof. Dr. Suat Yılmaz