ASTM C24-09

Standard Test Method for Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (PCE) of Fireclay and High Alumina Refractory Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The deformation and end point of a cone corresponds to a certain heat-work condition due to the effects of time, temperature, and atmosphere.  
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.  
PCE values are used to classify fireclay and high alumina refractories.  
This is an effective method of identifying fireclay variations, mining control, and developing raw material specifications.
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2009
• ICS: 81.080 - Refractories
• Technical Committee: C08 - Refractories
• Drafting Committee: C08.02 - Thermal Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C24-01(2006) - Standard Test Method for Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (PCE) of Fireclay and High Alumina Refractory Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Replaced By: ASTM C24-09(2013) - Standard Test Method for Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (PCE) of Fireclay and High Alumina Refractory Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F1097-17(2022) - Standard Specification for Mortar, Refractory (High-Temperature, Air-Setting)
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C673-97(2022) - Standard Classification of Fireclay and High-Alumina Plastic Refractories and Ramming Mixes
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C71-12(2018) - Standard Terminology Relating to Refractories
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C1283-15(2021) - Standard Practice for Installing Clay Flue Lining
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C1261-22 - Standard Specification for Firebox Brick for Residential Fireplaces
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C199-22 - Standard Test Method for Pier Test for Refractory Mortars
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C210-95(2019) - Standard Test Method for Reheat Change of Insulating Firebrick
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C27-98(2022) - Standard Classification of Fireclay and High-Alumina Refractory Brick
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: C24 − 09
StandardTest Method for
Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (PCE) of Fireclay and High
1
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 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
2
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.
1
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 March 1, 2009. Published April 2009. Originally
6.1 Preparation of Sample:
approved in 1919. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as C24 – 01 (2006). DOI:
10.1520/C0024-09.
6.1.1 Clay or Brick—Crush the entire sample of fire clay or
2
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 [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
1
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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C24−09
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
3
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 an
...

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:C 24–01 (Reapproved 2006) Designation:C 24–09
Standard Test Method for
Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (PCE) of Fireclay and High
1
Alumina Refractory Materials
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationC24;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
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 Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 ThistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofthePyrometricConeEquivalent(PCE)offireclay,fireclaybrick,highalumina
brick, and silica fire clay refractory mortar by comparison of test cones with standard pyrometric cones under the conditions
prescribed in this test method.
1.2Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsaretoberegardedasstandard.Thevaluesgiveninparenthesesareforinformationonly.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C71 Terminology Relating to Refractories
E11 Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
E 220 Test Method for Calibration of Thermocouples By Comparison Techniques E691
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test method, see Terminology C 71.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This test method consists of preparing a test cone from a refractory material and comparing its deformation end point to that
of a standard pyrometric cone. The resultant PCE value is a measure of the refractoriness of the material.
4.2 Temperature equivalent tables for the standard cones have been determined by the National Institute of Standards and
Technology when subjected to both slow and rapid heating rates.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Thedeformationandendpointofaconecorrespondstoacertainheat-workconditionduetotheeffectsoftime,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.
1
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.
Current edition approved March 1, 2006.2009. Published March 2006.April 2009. Originally approved in 1919. Last previous edition approved in 20012006 as C 24 – 01
(2006).
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C24–09
6. Procedure
6.1 Preparation of Sample:
6.1.1 Clay or Brick—Crush the entire sample of fire clay or fireclay brick, in case the amount is small, by means of rolls or
1
a jaw crusher to produce a particle size not larger than ⁄4 in. (6 mm). If the amount is large, treat a representative sample obtained
by approved methods. Then mix the sample thoroughly and reduce the amount to about 250 g (0.5 lb) by quartering (see Note 1).
Then grind this portion in an agate, porc
...