ASTM C288-20

Standard Test Method for Disintegration of Refractories in an Atmosphere of Carbon Monoxide

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
2.1 This test method is used to determine the relative resistance of various refractories to disintegration caused by exposure to a CO atmosphere. The results obtained by this method can be used to select refractories that are resistant to CO disintegration.  
2.2 This test method is suitable for research and development and for establishing CO disintegration criteria for specification acceptance.  
2.3 The disintegration of test specimens is accelerated by providing a higher concentration of CO than anticipated in most service environments. The effects on the test specimens may be different than those found for refractories in actual service conditions.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the comparative behavior of refractories under the disintegrating action of carbon monoxide (CO). The test method is an accelerated exposure to CO to determine potential material behavior in a relatively short time.  
1.2 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.  
1.3 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2020
• ICS: 81.080 - Refractories
• Technical Committee: C08 - Refractories
• Drafting Committee: C08.04 - Chemical Behaviors

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C288-87(2014) - Standard Test Method for Disintegration of Refractories in an Atmosphere of Carbon Monoxide
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2020

Overview

ASTM C288-20, titled Standard Test Method for Disintegration of Refractories in an Atmosphere of Carbon Monoxide, is an ASTM International standard that establishes a comparative method for evaluating the resistance of refractory materials to disintegration when exposed to a carbon monoxide (CO) environment. This standard is vital for industries where refractories are subjected to harsh atmospheres containing CO, providing a reliable, accelerated test to predict material behavior and assist in material selection.

Key Topics

• Disintegration Resistance: This standard measures and compares how different refractories withstand disintegration when exposed to high concentrations of carbon monoxide.
• Accelerated Testing: The procedure uses a CO concentration higher than typically found in service to expedite the assessment process, allowing for meaningful results over a shorter timeframe.
• Material Evaluation: Results from this test method inform decisions for refractory selection, helping end-users and manufacturers choose materials best suited for CO-rich environments.
• Applicability: The standard is appropriate for research, development, and specification acceptance of refractory materials.
• Reporting: The method specifies how to report results, including specimen pre-firing temperature, visual inspection descriptions, photographic records, and degrees of material disintegration.
• Safety Considerations: Users are responsible for safety precautions, as the standard does not specify exhaustive safety or regulatory requirements.

Applications

ASTM C288-20 offers significant value in the following practical applications:

• Material Selection: Manufacturers and engineers use this standard to select refractory products that provide enhanced performance and longevity under carbon monoxide exposure, reducing maintenance costs and downtime.
• Quality Control: The method establishes performance criteria to ensure incoming refractory materials meet safety and durability specifications, particularly for use in carbon monoxide-prone environments such as steelmaking and gasification.
• Research and Development: Materials scientists and R&D teams apply the standard to develop innovative refractory products with improved CO resistance.
• Specification Criteria: Procurement and technical teams rely on this standard to set disintegration criteria as part of technical procurement documents or for materials certification.

Related Standards

Several standards complement or relate to ASTM C288-20:

• ASTM C113 - Standard Test Method for Refractory Testing Under Controlled Atmospheres
• ASTM C199 - Standard Test Method for Pier Test for Refractories
• ASTM C704 - Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Refractory Materials
• ISO Refractory Standards - International norms addressing refractory behavior and quality
• ASTM C8 - Standard Terminology Relating to Refractories

Practical Value

By providing a consistent and recognized method for testing the disintegration of refractories in carbon monoxide atmospheres, ASTM C288-20 supports operational efficiency, product reliability, and safety across industries where exposure to CO can compromise refractory integrity. Compliance with this standard helps organizations meet international procurement requirements and supports innovation in refractory materials capable of withstanding challenging chemical environments.

For more detailed procedures and technical information, access the full standard document published by ASTM International.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C288 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Disintegration of Refractories in an Atmosphere of Carbon
Monoxide
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C288; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Apparatus
1.1 This test method covers the comparative behavior of
3.1 HeatedChamber—The chamber shall be gastight and of
refractories under the disintegrating action of carbon monoxide
a suitable size, made of stainless steel, brass, aluminum, or
(CO). The test method is an accelerated exposure to CO to
unoxidized Monel metal. A suggested size is 18 in. (460 mm)
determine potential material behavior in a relatively short time.
in diameter and 36 in. (910 mm) long. The unit may be heated
by resistance wire or other means, provided that at the
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
temperature of operation the difference in temperature between
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
any two points within the chamber shall not be greater than
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
20 °F (11 °C). The chamber may be provided with a thermo-
and are not considered standard.
couple well and shall have a gas inlet and outlet, with a
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
provision for gas sampling at the outlet.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.2 Temperature-Control Instrument—The temperature of
the test chamber shall be controlled and recorded by a suitable
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. instrument having the required accuracy.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.3 Atmosphere Control—The CO shall be supplied from a
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
tank, or of the gas, or manufactured by the conversion of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
carbon dioxide (CO ). The pressure from a tank supply
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
(caution, see Note 1) shall be reduced by a regulator made for
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
that purpose, and the flow of gas adjusted by means of a
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
sensitive needle or regulating valve.Aflowmeter shall be used
in the line as an aid for regulating the flow. When CO is used
2. Significance and Use
from a tank, iron carbonyl is present in the gas and may cause
2.1 This test method is used to determine the relative
clogging of the inlet tube, in which case the carbonyl may be
resistance of various refractories to disintegration caused by
removed before the gas enters the chamber. An Ascarite tower
exposure to a CO atmosphere. The results obtained by this
in the inlet line will remove the carbonyl, but this should be
method can be used to select refractories that are resistant to
preceded by a drying tower to prevent moisture from getting
CO disintegration.
into the Ascarite tower.
2.2 This test method is suitable for research and develop-
NOTE 1—As a precaution against the possibility of tank explosions, the
ment and for establishing CO disintegration criteria for speci-
tanks should be stored and used outdoors or in a separate building
fication acceptance.
designed to reduce the explosion hazard.
2.3 The disintegration of test specimens is accelerated by
3.4 Furnace Pressure Control—The unit shall be equipped
providing a higher concentration of CO than anticipated in
with a bubbling bottle or a sensitive gage to control the
most service environments. The effects on the test specimens
pressure of the exhaust gas. A positive pressure shall be
may be different than those found for refractories in actual
maintained throughout the test.
service conditions.
3.5 Gas Analyzer—Any conventional gas analyzer can be
used to periodically determine the CO content of the exhaust
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C08 on
gas.
Refractories and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C08.04 on Chemical
Behaviors.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2020. Published September 2020. Originally
4. Test Specimens
approved in 1952. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C288 – 87 (2014).
DOI: 10.1520/C0288-20. 4.1 Ten specimens shall constitute a specimen set.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C288 − 20
4.2 The specimens shall be 9.0 in. (230 mm) long and 2.5 or 6.3 Inspect the specimens at the end of each selected time
3.0 in. (64 or 76 mm) square in cross section
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: C288 − 87 (Reapproved 2014) C288 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Disintegration of Refractories in an Atmosphere of Carbon
Monoxide
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C288; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the comparative behavior of refractories under the disintegrating action of carbon monoxide(CO).
monoxide (CO). The test method is an accelerated exposure to CO to determine potential material behavior in a relatively short
time.
1.2 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.
1.3 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Significance and Use
2.1 This test method is used to determine the relative resistance of various refractories to disintegration caused by exposure to a
CO atmosphere. The results obtained by this method can be used to select refractories that are resistant to CO disintegration.
2.2 This test method is suitable for research and development and for establishing CO disintegration criteria for specification
acceptance.
2.3 The disintegration of test specimens is accelerated by providing a higher concentration of CO than anticipated in most service
environments. The effects on the test specimens may be different than those found for refractories in actual service conditions.
3. Apparatus
3.1 Heated Chamber—The chamber shall be gastight and of a suitable size, made of stainless steel, brass, aluminum, or unoxidized
Monel metal. A suggested size is 18 in. (460 mm) in diameter and 36 in. (914(910 mm) long. The unit may be heated by resistance
wire or other means, provided that at the temperature of operation the difference in temperature between any two points within
the chamber shall not be greater than 20°F (11°C).20 °F (11 °C). The chamber may be provided with a thermocouple well and shall
have a gas inlet and outlet, with a provision for gas sampling at the outlet.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C08 on Refractories and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C08.04 on Chemical Behaviors.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2014Sept. 1, 2020. Published November 2014September 2020. Originally approved in 1952. Last previous edition approved in 20092014
as C288 – 87 (2009).(2014). DOI: 10.1520/C0288-87R14.10.1520/C0288-20.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C288 − 20
3.2 Temperature-Control Instrument —Instrument—The temperature of the test chamber shall be controlled and recorded by a
suitable instrument having the required accuracy.
3.3 Atmosphere Control—The CO shall be supplied from a tank, or of the gas, or manufactured by the conversion of carbon
dioxide(COdioxide (CO ). The pressure from a tank supply ((caution,Caution, see Note 1) shall be reduced by a regulator made
for that purpose, and the flow of gas adjusted by means of a sensitive needle or regulating valve. A flowmeter shall be used in the
line as an aid for regulating the flow. When CO is used from a tank, iron carbonyl is present in the gas and may cause clogging
of the inlet tube, in which case the carbonyl may be removed before the gas enters the chamber. A soda-asbestos (the Ascarite)
An Ascarite tower in the inlet line will remove the carbonyl, but this should be preceded by a drying tower to prevent moisture
from getting into the soda-asbestos. Ascarite tower.
NOTE 1—Caution:As a precaution against the possibility of tank explosions, the tanks should be stored and used outdoors or in a separate building
designed to reduce the explosion hazard.
3.4 Furnace Pressure Control—The unit shall be equipped with a bubbling bottle or a sensitive gage to control the pressure of
the exhaust gas. A positive pressure shall be maintained throughout the test.
3.5 Gas Analyzer—Any conventional gas analyzer can be used to periodically determine the CO content of the exhaust gas.
4. Test Specimens
4.1 Ten specimens shall constitute a specimen set.
4.2 The specimens shall be 99.0 in. (228(230 mm) long and 2½2.5 or 33.0 in. (64 or 76 mm) square in cross section. Only one
sp
...