The material specification presents the specific physical property requirements for each of the material classifications that will be used on the project.

The physical properties values serve as the baseline for the refractory design, the pre-qualification for the material to be incorporated into the design, pre-shipment verification the specified material meets the project requirements as well as verification the field installation of each refractory material meets the overall requirements of the project.

The refractory specification typically incorporates the material requirement for each material that can be used as a new or replacement product which references the materials related to chemical composition, compressive or tensile strength, abrasion or corrosive resistance, shrinkage, thermal expansion, thermal conductivity as well as other physical properties related to the use of the refractory material.