The effect of organosilicon and aluminophosphate binders on the physicomechanical properties of corundum-carbon refractories is studied. The environmental safety of the binders is discussed. Binders for use in sintered and nonfired components are developed.The range of refractories commercially available in Russia and around the world is exceptionally wide; oxide-carbon components constitute the major part of them. As a rule, the physical and engineering properties of oxide-carbon refractories are to a significant extent dependent on the binder. To manufacture oxide-carbon refractories, various organic resins are commonly employed, for example, phenol-formaldehyde resins of the resol-novolac type. The role of an organic-resin binder is that, during the heat treatment, the resin undergoes degradation to convert to a reinforcing carbon framework over the entire volume of the component. The active carbon thus formed takes part in the phase formation of secondary compounds (carbides or oxycarbides); this process can occur during sintering in a nonoxidazing medium, or during the service of the component.Viewed from an ecological standpoint, the use of such a binder may raise objections for the reason that it releases substances hazardous to human health and environment: phenols, cresols, xylylenes, formaldehyde, etc. [1]. To remedy the situation, the production technology should be provided with additional facilities for filtering by suction or afterburn of the species released, which increases the cost of the final product.The development of an environment-friendly binder capable of providing the useful properties of oxide-carbon refractories has been and continues to be a major challenge to technologists; still, the results so far obtained remain inconclusive. It was thought of interest to consider the potential application of a widely used aluminophosphate bond and well-known organosilicon binders in the production of oxide-carbon refractories [2, 3]. Our attention was focused on a previously studied organosilicon binder of the ÉSK series [2] and an aluminophosphate bond (APB) taken in different combinations.The ÉSK-type binder was obtained by dispersing solid polymethylphenylsiloxane resins (113-101) in a medium of ethyl silicate-40 (ÉTS-40) using, for example, a ball mill. The colloidal solution thus prepared was stable over time and, when stored in a tightly sealed container, had a shelf life of several years. To enhance the mechanical strength of the raw material (the compressive strength should not be less than 1.2 MPa [4,5]), an adhesive agent, for example, lignosulfonates, polyvinyl acetate (PVA), etc., is added to the ÉSK binder. As compared to refractory materials prepared using lignosulfonates, the use of ÉSK makes it possible to improve the mechanical strength, thermal stability and density of the components, to decrease sintering shrinkage and open porosity, to lower the sintering temperature, and to improve the resistance to attack by molten metal and slag. Expertise has been gained in using an ÉSK bin...