THIRD-PARTY QA/QC — THE VALUE OF INDEPENDENT EYES

Trust is important — but in refractory supply verification is essential not only for equipment performance, but for the people who depend on it.

When a shutdown is underway, and your team is racing against time to complete a reline, you need to be certain that the materials on site will perform as expected. In this high-pressure environment, relying on supplier assurances alone isn’t enough because real people are accountable for the outcome.

At DGC Refractories, we believe that independent, third-party QA/QC is not just a best practice — it’s a non-negotiable part of industrial integrity and a safeguard for the people executing the work.

WHY THIRD-PARTY TESTING MATTERS

Refractory materials may look the same on the surface, but performance often comes down to subtle — but critical — differences in:

• Chemical composition

• Bulk density and porosity

• Strength under load

• Thermal shock resistance

• Dimensional consistency

Without rigorous testing, these variations can go unnoticed until failure occurs in service — when it’s too late to correct and when people are forced back into high-risk environments to fix preventable problems.

Third-party QA/QC gives clients confidence that every delivery has been independently inspected and verified according to international standards — empowering engineering and maintenance teams to make decisions with certainty.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN A DGC QA/QC PACKAGE?

Every major refractory supply from DGC includes third-party lab testing for key performance indicators that directly support the teams installing and operating the lining:

• Chemical Composition – XRF or wet analysis to confirm MgO, Al₂O₃, SiO₂, Fe₂O₃ content

• Apparent Porosity & Bulk Density – indicators of insulation performance and mechanical strength

• Cold Crushing Strength (CCS) – to assess load-bearing capacity

• Modulus of Rupture (MOR) – to evaluate flexural resistance under thermal and mechanical stress

• Refractoriness Under Load (RUL) – to predict performance under operating temperatures

• Dimensional Tolerances – precision checks using calibrated tools to ensure alignment during installation

Each test is conducted by an independent accredited lab with no affiliation to the manufacturer, ensuring unbiased, traceable results.

QA/QC IN PRACTICE — WHAT CLIENTS RECEIVE

Before materials are dispatched, our team provides:

• A QA/QC Certificate Pack, including all test results and third-party reports

• Clear documentation of test methods and equipment used

• A summary table for quick reference by engineering or procurement teams

• Direct access to our technical team for clarification or compliance queries

This transparency enables clients to make informed decisions and reduces uncertainty for maintenance, operations, and shutdown teams under pressure.

HOW QA/QC REDUCES RISK

Third-party quality assurance reduces:

• Shutdown delays due to material rejection or mismatch

• On-site rework caused by unexpected inconsistencies

• Performance failures that lead to premature relines

• Procurement disputes over delivery quality or specification deviations

It also provides a layer of accountability that strengthens long-term supplier relationships and reduces unnecessary exposure of people to hazardous rework conditions.

LESSONS FROM THE FIELD

In one recent project, a client preparing for a high-stakes kiln shutdown requested full QA/QC documentation before shipment. Upon reviewing test results, they identified a mismatch between their internal spec and the manufacturer’s standard offering, which was corrected before shipment, saving both time and credibility for everyone involved in the shutdown.

"If we hadn't requested third-party testing, we would have installed a brick that wasn’t aligned with our fuel blend or thermal profile. That one test probably saved us an entire campaign." — Plant Maintenance Lead, Cement Industry

Verified Quality. Proven Reliability. Delivered with Confidence.

When the heat is on, guesswork isn’t good enough. At DGC Refractories, third-party QA/QC is built into every critical supply — because quality should never be assumed and people should never carry preventable risk.

Over a Century of Trusted Service — Committed to Safety, Quality and On-Time Delivery.

📩 Contact DGC Refractories to request a sample QA report or learn how third-party testing can reduce your shutdown risk.

 👉 Visit www.dgc-africa.com to connect with our technical team.

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Dickinson Group of Companies (DGC) was founded in 1910. Please visit our website for comprehensive information about Our Company – History, Vision & Values, Strategy, Global Alliances, Africa Footprint, Commitment to Safety, Anti-Corruption Policy, References, and Industrial Solutions.