Refractory (disambiguation)

Refractory is the quality of a material to retain its strength at high temperatures. Refractory may also refer to:

In materials

• Refraction (metallurgy), the resistance of metals to heat
• Refractory metals, metals that are resistant to heat
• Refractory ceramics, ceramics that are resistant to heat
• Refractory (mineral processing), metallic minerals that are difficult to liberate in traditional processes (i.e. refractory gold ores).

In biology

• Refractory depression, a depression that does not respond to common modes of treatment
• Refractory period (physiology), the time after an action potential during which a membrane can not depolarize
• Refractory period (sex), a period after orgasm during which it is impossible to achieve another orgasm

Other

• Refractory (astronomy), any material, which condenses at high temperature.
• Refractory disease, one not responsive to a treatment.
• Refractory clergymen, Roman Catholic priests and bishops in France who refused to swear an oath of allegiance to the state during the Civil Constitution of the Clergy