The production of energizing gases such as H-2 and CO by gasification process of solid fuels is a technology that has increased in recent years since it is an efficient and clean process. To enable the production of gases, it is necessary to use refractory materials capable of withstanding high temperatures, thermal shock and contact with aggressive media. Nowadays, there is not published literature on refractory materials used for furnaces lining for petroleum coke gasification at high temperatures (similar to 1900 degrees C). Therefore, this paper deals with the study of alumina and magnesium aluminate/alumina-based refractories as candidates for the furnace lining used in the petroleum coke gasification for steel production. Refractory samples were made with some designed formulations which were subjected to chemical interactions with pellets made of petroleum coke and petroleum coke ash at 1650 degrees C for 4 h. After completing the tests, the formulations were cut transversely and were characterized by SEM-EDS and XRD to evaluate the resistance to slag penetration and formation of low melting point phases. The results show that slag penetration and corrosion in the refractory formulations occur due to the formation of hibonite, spinels (Ni2+, Fe2+, Mg2+)(Al, Fe)(2)O-4 and gehlenite phases. However, these phases together stop the molten slag penetration. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.