Thermal Behavior in AZS (Alumina–Zirconia–Silica) Refractory Structures

Heat transfer through solid materials often reveals complex interactions between structure, composition, and internal integrity. This study presents a numerical investigation of thermal propagation across a wall composed of AZS (Alumina–Zirconia–Silica) refractory bricks. In particular, we emphasize the influence of internal structural defects that may arise from manufacturing imperfections on the external temperature distribution. We analyze the behavior of the external temperature gradient around an object that obstructs direct visualization of the internal failure site. The model was developed using STAR-CCM+ software, which employs the finite element method (FEM) to solve the coupled thermal and structural domains. The results reveal that hidden internal defects can generate measurable temperature anomalies on the surface, offering early defect detection in refractory materials.