A study was conducted in a domestic waste incineration boiler to determine temperatures and movement of bolted refractory tiles, following numerous observations of cracked or missing tiles during
operating campaigns. The study proved that the principle mode of failure of bolted refractory tile systems was networking of tiles, which increased tile movement away from the boiler tubewall. With increased movement, tile temperatures increased and attachment bolts eventually failed due to creep deformation and corrosion.