Refractory brick and method of making and using same

The present invention provides a new and improved refractory brick that provides many distinct advantages over prior art bricks. More particularly, the brick of the present invention facilitates the construction of an integral furnace lining that prevents the dislodgement or movement of individual bricks. The refractory brick of the present invention also provides a continuous refractory lining which affords improved lining lifetimes or furnace campaigns. Each brick comprises a refractory portion and a pair of steel portions. The steel portions are each contained within a recess formed along each of the major surfaces of the brick. The brick is utilized to form a refractory lining within a vessel wherein at least a part of the refractory portion of each brick is in contact with the refractory portion of adjoining bricks and the steel portions of each of the bricks is metallurgically bonded to the steel portions of adjoining bricks so as to provide an integral (monolithic) refractory wall.