ASTM C24-09(2013)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (PCE) of Fireclay and High Alumina Refractory Materials
Standard Test Method for Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (PCE) of Fireclay and High Alumina Refractory Materials
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The deformation and end point of a cone corresponds to a certain heat-work condition due to the effects of time, temperature, and atmosphere.
5.2 The precision of this test method is subject to many variables that are difficult to control. Therefore, an experienced operator may be necessary where PCE values are being utilized for specification purposes.
5.3 PCE values are used to classify fireclay and high alumina refractories.
5.4 This is an effective method of identifying fireclay variations, mining control, and developing raw material specifications.
5.5 Although not recommended, this test method is sometimes applied to materials other than fireclay and high alumina. Such practice should be limited to in-house laboratories and never be used for specification purposes.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (PCE) of fire clay, fireclay brick, high alumina brick, and silica fire clay refractory mortar by comparison of test cones with standard pyrometric cones under the conditions prescribed in this test method.
1.2 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.2.1 Exceptions—Certain weights are in SI units with inch-pound in parenthesis. Also, certain figures have SI units without parenthesis. These SI units are to be regarded as standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: C24 − 09 (Reapproved 2013)
Standard Test Method for
Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (PCE) of Fireclay and High
Alumina Refractory Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C24; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the Pyro-
method, see Terminology C71.
metric Cone Equivalent (PCE) of fire clay, fireclay brick, high
alumina brick, and silica fire clay refractory mortar by com-
4. Summary of Test Method
parison of test cones with standard pyrometric cones under the
conditions prescribed in this test method.
4.1 This test method consists of preparing a test cone from
a refractory material and comparing its deformation end point
1.2 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be
to that of a standard pyrometric cone. The resultant PCE value
regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are
is a measure of the refractoriness of the material.
mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for
information only and are not considered standard.
4.2 Temperature equivalent tables for the standard cones
1.2.1 Exceptions—Certain weights are in SI units with have been determined by the National Institute of Standards
inch-pound in parenthesis. Also, certain figures have SI units andTechnology when subjected to both slow and rapid heating
without parenthesis. These SI units are to be regarded as rates.
standard.
5. Significance and Use
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 5.1 The deformation and end point of a cone corresponds to
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- a certain heat-work condition due to the effects of time,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- temperature, and atmosphere.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.2 The precision of this test method is subject to many
variables that are difficult to control.Therefore, an experienced
2. Referenced Documents
operatormaybenecessarywherePCEvaluesarebeingutilized
for specification purposes.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C71 Terminology Relating to Refractories
5.3 PCE values are used to classify fireclay and high
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
alumina refractories.
Sieves
5.4 This is an effective method of identifying fireclay
E220 Test Method for Calibration of Thermocouples By
variations, mining control, and developing raw material speci-
Comparison Techniques
fications.
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method 5.5 Although not recommended, this test method is some-
times applied to materials other than fireclay and high alumina.
Such practice should be limited to in-house laboratories and
never be used for specification purposes.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C08 on
Refractories and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C08.02 on Thermal
Properties.
6. Procedure
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2013. Published September 2013. Originally
6.1 Preparation of Sample:
approved in 1919. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as C24 – 09. DOI:
10.1520/C0024-09R13.
6.1.1 Clay or Brick—Crush the entire sample of fire clay or
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
fireclay brick, in case the amount is small, by means of rolls or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
a jaw crusher to produce a particle size not larger than ⁄4 in. (6
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. mm). If the amount is large, treat a representative sample
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C24 − 09 (2013)
obtained by approved methods. Then mix the sample thor-
oughly and reduce the amount to about 250 g (0.5 lb) by
quartering (see Note 1). Then grind this portion in an agate,
porcelain, or hard steel mortar and reduce the amount again by
quartering. The final size of the sample shall be 50 g and the
fineness capable of passing an ASTM No. 70 (212-µm) sieve
(equivalent to a 65-mesh Tyler Standard Series). In order to
avoid excessive reduction to fines, remove them frequently
during the process of reduction by throwing the sample on the
sieve and continuing the grinding of the coarser particles until
all the sample passes through the sieve (see Note 2). Take
precautions to prevent contamination of the sample by steel
particles from the sampling equipment during crushing or
grinding.
NOTE 1—Take care during the crushing and grinding of the sample to
prevent the introduction of magnetic material.
NOTE 2—The requirement to grind the coarser particles is particularly
important for highly siliceous products; excessively fine grinding may
reduce their PCE by as much as two cones.
6.1.2 Silica Fire Clay (see 3.1)—In the case of silica fire
clay, test the sample obtained by approved methods as received
without grinding or other treatment.
6.2 Preparation of Test Cones:
NOTE 1—Dimensions are in inches.
6.2.1 After preparing samples of unfired clays (Note 3), or
SI Equivalents
of mixes containing appreciable proportions of raw clay, in
in. mm
accordance with 6.1.1, heat them in an oxidizing atmosphere in
the temperature range from 1700 to 1800°F (925 to 980°C) for
0.075 1.90
not less than 30 min.
0.272 6.91
0.281 7.14
NOTE3—Someunfiredclaysbloatwhentheyareformedintoconesand
1.081 27.46
arecarriedthroughthehigh-temperatureheattreatmentprescribedin5.4.1
1.125 28.58
without preliminary calcining. The substances that cause bloating can, in
most cases, be expelled by heating the clay samples before testing.
FIG. 1 Standard Pyrometric Test Cone
6.2.2 The clay sample may be given the heat treatment
prescribed in 6.2.1 after it has been formed into a cone (see
the test cones with the PCE cones in so far as is practical (see
6.2.3), but this procedure has been found not as effective as the
Note 5).The plaque may be any convenient size and shape and
treatment of the powdered material. If cones so prepared bloat
may be biscuited before using, if desired.
during the PCE test, heat a portion of the original sample in its
powdered condition as prescribed in 6.2.1 and then retest it.
NOTE 4—A satisfactory cone plaque mix consists of 85 % fused
6.2.3 Thoroughly mix the dried sample, and after the
alumina and 15 % plastic refractory clay. For tests that will not go above
addition of sufficient dextrine, glue, gum tragacanth, or other Cone 34, the plastic refractory clay may be increased to 25 % and the
alumina may be replaced with brick grog containing over 70 % alumina.
alkali-free organic binder and water, form it in a metal mold
The alumina or grog should be ground to pass anASTM No. 60 (250-µm)
intotestconesintheshapeofatruncatedtrigonalpyramidwith
sieve (equivalent to a 60-mesh Tyler Standard Series), and the PCE of the
its base at a small angle to the trigonal axis, and in accordance
refractory plastic clay should be not lower than Cone 32.
with dimensions shown in Fig. 1. In forming the test cone use
NOTE 5—The number of cones and their mounting facing inward as
the mold shown in Fig. 2. shown in Fig. 3 is typical for gas-fired furnaces of relatively large
dimensions and gases moving at high velocity.
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