Occupation · SOC 49-9045
Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
Build or repair equipment such as furnaces, kilns, cupolas, boilers, converters, ladles, soaking pits, and ovens, using refractory materials.
Median wage
$58,540
$37,050–$81,440
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
1,100
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
328 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringRepairingActive ListeningOperation and ControlEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Mechanical
Technology & tools
Facilities management softwareData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareElectronic mail softwarePresentation software
Representative tasks
Reline or repair ladles and pouring spouts with refractory clay, using trowels.Chip slag from linings of ladles or remove linings when beyond repair, using hammers and chisels.Mix specified amounts of sand, clay, mortar powder, and water to form refractory clay or mortar, using shovels or mixing machines.Measure furnace walls to determine dimensions and cut required number of sheets from plastic block, using saws.Dry and bake new linings by placing inverted linings over burners, building fires in ladles, or by using blowtorches.Remove worn or damaged plastic block refractory linings of furnaces, using hand tools.Climb scaffolding, carrying hoses, and spray surfaces of cupolas with refractory mixtures, using spray equipment.Spread mortar on stopper heads and rods, using trowels, and slide brick sleeves over rods to form refractory jackets.Dump and tamp clay in molds, using tamping tools.Transfer clay structures to curing ovens, melting tanks, and drawing kilns, using forklifts.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Refractory clay mixture — prepare by combining specified amounts of sand, clay, mortar powder, and water under direct supervisor guidance in a foundry or industrial furnace setting.Hand tools such as trowels — identify and handle correctly when relining ladle interiors under close direction on the shop floor.Hammers and chisels — use to chip slag from ladle linings under direct supervision, following established safety protocols.Refractory materials and their basic properties — recognize differences among clay types and mortars when sorting supplies in a maintenance bay.Personal protective equipment — select and wear correctly before entering high-heat repair zones as directed by a lead repairer.Mixing machines for refractory mortar — operate under step-by-step instruction to produce batches of consistent composition on a job site.Ladle and pouring spout components — identify by name and function when assisting experienced repairers during inspection tasks.Verbal instructions from supervisors — listen actively and confirm understanding before beginning lining repair or removal tasks.Worn or damaged refractory linings — recognize obvious signs of deterioration such as cracking or spalling during assisted visual inspections.Basic housekeeping and waste removal — perform after chipping and relining operations to maintain a safe and orderly work area.
developing
Ladle and pouring spout linings — reline with refractory clay using trowels with minimal oversight, meeting thickness and finish specifications in an active foundry environment.Sand, clay, mortar powder, and water — mix in specified proportions using shovels or power mixing machines to produce refractory mortar of correct consistency on a routine production schedule.Slag deposits on ladle linings — chip away efficiently with hammers and chisels, assessing depth of removal needed before escalating to full lining replacement.Damaged refractory linings — evaluate condition and determine whether repair or full removal is the appropriate course of action under general supervision.Mixing and application equipment — maintain and clean after each use to prevent material hardening and prolong equipment service life in a high-temperature repair shop.Repair progress and curing conditions — monitor during and after lining application to detect early signs of improper bonding or moisture issues.Work instructions and safety data sheets — interpret independently to select correct refractory materials and follow handling precautions for each job.Trowel technique and joint finishing — apply consistently when building up refractory layers in ladle interiors to ensure structural integrity across repeated repair cycles.Time accounting software — enter daily labor hours and material usage records accurately to support job cost tracking in a maintenance department.Physical demands including trunk strength and body balance — manage effectively when working in confined ladle interiors or elevated repair platforms throughout a full shift.
proficient
Full refractory lining replacement — execute independently from slag removal through final clay application on ladles and pouring spouts, meeting quality and production targets in a high-volume steel or foundry facility.Non-routine lining failures such as hot spots, erosion channels, or cracking — diagnose root causes and select appropriate repair methods without supervisor input.Refractory mortar formulations — adjust sand, clay, and water ratios based on operating temperature requirements and observed mix behavior across varied furnace applications.Multiple hand and power tools — operate with high control precision and arm-hand steadiness to achieve uniform lining surfaces and tight tolerances on critical pouring equipment.Equipment maintenance schedules for mixing machines and troweling tools — develop and follow proactively to minimize downtime during high-demand production periods.Operations monitoring during heat cycles — conduct attentive inspections of furnace and ladle linings to detect early degradation and schedule preventive repairs before failures occur.Repair documentation and maintenance logs — complete thoroughly using database or word processing software to support compliance audits and future repair planning.Junior repairers and helpers — guide through correct chipping, mixing, and lining techniques during live repair tasks, ensuring safety and quality standards are met.Physical challenges of confined-space and overhead repair work — handle safely through disciplined use of body mechanics, trunk strength, and gross body equilibrium across demanding shift conditions.Refractory material procurement needs — assess based on observed consumption and upcoming repair schedules, communicating requirements clearly to supervisors or procurement staff.
advanced
Refractory repair standards and best practices — establish and communicate across the maintenance department to ensure consistent quality on all ladle, furnace, and pouring spout work.Training programs for new and developing repairers — design and deliver covering clay mixing ratios, lining techniques, tool handling, and safety procedures aligned with Job Zone 2 skill development.Department-wide maintenance strategies — develop by analyzing repair histories, failure patterns, and production schedules to extend refractory lining service life across the facility.Cross-functional communication with furnace operators, production supervisors, and safety officers — lead to coordinate lining repair windows that minimize production disruption.Facilities management software and maintenance tracking systems — oversee data entry standards and report generation to provide management with accurate cost and performance metrics.Serious or recurring refractory failures — investigate root causes systematically and implement corrective actions that reduce repeat incidents across multiple production units.Material selection decisions for varied thermal and chemical environments — direct by applying deep mechanical knowledge to match refractory compositions to specific ladle and furnace operating conditions.Safety culture and cautiousness standards — model and reinforce through daily leadership behavior, toolbox talks, and incident reviews in a high-heat industrial work environment.Workload planning and crew scheduling — manage to ensure adequate refractory repair coverage across all shifts and production peaks without compromising repair quality.Performance expectations and achievement goals — set for the repair crew using documented metrics, providing feedback and recognition to sustain dependability and high work standards across the team.
Also known as
28 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Refractory WorkerCupola RepairerLadle LinerClay Structure ServicerLadle RepairmanRefractory Materials RepairerClay-Structure Builder and ServicerRefractory RepairerClay Structure BuilderBondactor Machine OperatorRefractory BricklayerMM-Machinist's Mate (Navy MM)Furnace RepairerCell RelinerStopper MakerKiln Door BuilderBoiler Reliner, Plastic BlockRefractory Furnace DesignerConcrete Caulking TechnicianBondactor-Machine OperatorStopperKiln Door RepairerHot RepairmanRefractory TechnicianPlastic Block Boiler RelinerBoiler Repairer Technician (Navy 748B)Oven Equipment RepairerLadle Repairer