Al2O3-SiC-C iron trough castables were prepared using high alumina bauxite clinker GLª²90 (>1 mm) or homogenized bauxite GLª²88 to replace the traditional brown corundum aggregates (>1 mm) to reduce the cost of iron trough castables. Effects of the two bauxite aggregates on properties of iron trough castables were investigated. The results show that the two kinds of bauxite affect flowability, bulk density, strength and slag corrosion resistance of trough castables differently. Compared with homogenized bauxite, high alumina bauxite clinker is more suitable to substitute brown corundum. The castables prepared from the bauxite clinker have similar performances with those prepared from brown corundum, especially used in medium or small blast furnaces with weak thermal impact and lower temperature hot metal. However, in large blast furnaces with severe thermal impact and high temperature hot metal, the performances of the two castables are significantly different. So it is suggested to use the brown corundum based castables in the front gyral zone of the slag skimmer.