Refractory binders

Claim 1

A refractory mix consisting essentially of refractory particles, a preformed alkoxy modified phenolic resole resin and a polar solvent for the resin, said resin produced in the presence of a divalent metal ion catalyst and consisting essentially of a phenolic resole resin having at least one alkoxy methylene group for every 20 phenolic hydroxyl groups, said alkoxy methylene group having the general formula --(CH 2 O) n R where R is the alkyl group of a primary or secondary monohydric aliphatic alcohol containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and n is a small positive integer, and said alkoxy modified phenolic resole resin being capable of forming an 80% by weight solution in a polar solvent, which solution shows an increase in viscosity of less than about 20% per week when held at 40° C. in a closed container. wherein the alkoxy modified phenolic resole resin comprises from about 1% to 25% by weight of the mix.