ASTM C673-97(2022)

Standard Classification of Fireclay and High-Alumina Plastic Refractories and Ramming Mixes

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This classification defines a group of classes for use by those producing or purchasing fireclay and high-alumina plastic refractories and ramming mixes. Each class is limited by PCE or alumina content, or both. This classification is frequently used as a specification when the properties shown in Table 1 are the only items specified.  (A) NR = not required.
SCOPE
1.1 This classification covers fireclay and high-alumina plastic refractories and ramming mixes that can be pounded or rammed into place to form a monolithic structure. The terms “plastic” and “ramming mix” are generally intended to describe the workability of the material. In this regard, plastics are considered to be materials having a workability index of more than 15 % in accordance with Test Method C181, while ramming mixes generally have less than 15 % workability by the same procedure.  
1.2 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-2022
• ICS: 81.080 - Refractories
• Technical Committee: C08 - Refractories
• Drafting Committee: C08.92 - The Joseph E. Kopanda Subcommittee for Editorial, Terminology and Classification

Relations

• Refers: ASTM C181-11(2018) - Standard Test Method for Workability Index of Fireclay and High-Alumina Refractory Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Refers: ASTM C24-09(2013) - Standard Test Method for Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (PCE) of Fireclay and High Alumina Refractory Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2013
• Refers: ASTM C181-11 - Standard Test Method for Workability Index of Fireclay and High-Alumina Refractory Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Refers: ASTM C181-09 - Standard Test Method for Workability Index of Fireclay and High-Alumina Plastic Refractories
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2009
• Refers: ASTM C24-09 - Standard Test Method for Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (PCE) of Fireclay and High Alumina Refractory Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Refers: ASTM C24-01(2006) - Standard Test Method for Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (PCE) of Fireclay and High Alumina Refractory Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2006
• Refers: ASTM C181-03 - Standard Test Method for Workability Index of Fireclay and High-Alumina Plastic Refractories
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Refers: ASTM C24-01 - Standard Test Method for Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (PCE) of Fireclay and High Alumina Refractory Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2001
• Refers: ASTM C24-89(1999)e1 - Standard Test Method for Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (PCE) of Fireclay and High Alumina Refractory Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2001
• Refers: ASTM C181-91(1997)e1 - Standard Test Method for Workability Index of Fireclay and High-Alumina Plastic Refractories
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1997

Overview

ASTM C673-97(2022): Standard Classification of Fireclay and High-Alumina Plastic Refractories and Ramming Mixes is an internationally recognized classification developed by ASTM International. This standard establishes clear classes for fireclay and high-alumina plastic refractories and ramming mixes, focusing on their composition and workability. Widely adopted by manufacturers and purchasers, ASTM C673-97(2022) enables uniform specification and procurement by categorizing materials based on pyrometric cone equivalent (PCE) and alumina content, or both.

These refractories are critical in forming monolithic structures through pounding or ramming, making them essential in high-temperature industrial applications such as furnaces, kilns, and incinerators where robust and reliable lining materials are required.

Key Topics

• Material Scope: Covers both fireclay and high-alumina plastic refractories and ramming mixes, distinguishing between their workability characteristics.

  • Plastics: Materials with workability index > 15% (per ASTM C181)
  • Ramming mixes: Materials with workability index < 15% (per ASTM C181)

• Classification Criteria: Materials are classified primarily by PCE and alumina (Al₂O₃) content.

  • Fireclay classes: High duty, Super duty
  • High-alumina classes: 60%, 65%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, and 100% alumina

• Test Methods Employed:

  • Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (ASTM C24): Measures refractory quality and heat resistance.
  • Workability Index (ASTM C181): Evaluates ease of handling and shaping of materials.
  • Chemical Analysis: Utilizes X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) to determine alumina content.

• Applicability: The standard serves as both a classification and specification tool when only the identified properties are required, enabling straightforward purchasing and quality assurance.

Applications

ASTM C673-97(2022) is essential for industries where high-temperature operations demand precision-engineered refractory linings. Key application areas include:

• Steel and Non-Ferrous Metal Production: Used in furnace linings, ladles, and other high-wear zones requiring resistant and monolithic refractories.
• Cement and Glass Industries: For kiln, burner, and incinerator linings where both chemical and thermal resilience are crucial.
• Petrochemical and Energy Sectors: In reactors, reformers, and boilers where reliable insulation and containment are mandatory.
• Industrial Maintenance and Repairs: Offers standardized mixes for patching or refurbishing critical furnace zones without full relining.

Benefits:

• Facilitates material matching based on project-specific thermal and mechanical requirements.
• Ensures compliance with international trade and technical barriers (aligned with WTO TBT principles).
• Supports material resampling and retesting protocols for enhanced quality control.

Related Standards

• ASTM C24: Test Method for Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (PCE) of Fireclay and High-Alumina Refractory Materials
• ASTM C181: Test Method for Workability Index of Fireclay and High-Alumina Refractory Plastics

These referenced ASTM test methods are critical for accurate classification and are commonly used alongside ASTM C673-97(2022) to ensure consistent, reliable material performance.

Keywords: fireclay plastic refractories, high-alumina refractories, ramming mixes, ASTM C673, refractory classification, workability index, PCE, monolithic refractory, industrial furnaces.

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:C673 −97 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Classification of
Fireclay and High-Alumina Plastic Refractories and
Ramming Mixes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C673; 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 PCE or alumina content, or both. This classification is fre-
quently used as a specification when the properties shown in
1.1 This classification covers fireclay and high-alumina
Table 1 are the only items specified.
plastic refractories and ramming mixes that can be pounded or
rammed into place to form a monolithic structure. The terms
4. Classifications
“plastic” and “ramming mix” are generally intended to de-
4.1 Fireclay plastic refractories and ramming mixes are
scribe the workability of the material. In this regard, plastics
divided into two different classifications: (1) super duty, and
are considered to be materials having a workability index of
(2) high duty.
more than 15 % in accordance with Test Method C181, while
ramming mixes generally have less than 15 % workability by
4.2 High-alumina plastic refractories and ramming mixes
the same procedure.
are divided into eight different classifications: (1)60%
alumina, (2) 65 % alumina, (3) 70 % alumina, (4)80%
1.2 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- alumina, (5) 85 % alumina, (6) 90 % alumina, (7)95%
alumina, and (8) 100 % alumina.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5. Basis of Classification
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.1 The properties required for compliance with a particular
classification are shown in Table 1.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards: 6. Test Methods
C24 Test Method for Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (PCE) of
6.1 The determination of aluminum oxide (Al O)onan
2 3
Fireclay and High-Alumina Refractory Materials
ignition-free basis, as required by this classification, as deter-
C181 Test Method for Workability Index of Fireclay and
mined by XRF and ICP.
High-Alumina Refractory Plastics
6.2 The determination of the pyrometric cone equivalent
NOTE 1—Chemical analysis of refractory products is determined by a
(PCE), as required by this classification, shall be in accordance
combination of X-ray fluorscence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma
with Test Method C24.
(ICP) using standard reference materials (SRM), including various types
of minerals and refractory materials which are available from the National
7. Retests
Institute of Standards and Technology and other appropriate sources.
7.1 Because of possible variables that may result from
3. Significance and Use
sampling or an unsatisfactory reproducibility of tests by
3.1 This classification defines a group of classes for use by
different laboratories, the material may be
...