ASTM C181-09

Standard Test Method for Workability Index of Fireclay and High-Alumina Plastic Refractories

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Workability index serves as a measure of the facility with which plastic refractory materials can be rammed, gunned, or vibrated into place.  
Workability index is commonly used to control consistency of plastics during manufacture. It has also been found useful for specification acceptance by the consumer.  
The workability index determination can provide information for developing a plastic body. When a sample splits under impact at various water contents, it is an indication that the material is “short” or lacking in plasticity.  
Determinations on samples that split during impact will be difficult to reproduce. If the sample splits, the measurement is not a true indication of deformation. This should be noted in the report.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the workability index of fireclay and high-alumina plastic refractories by measuring the plastic deformation of a molded test specimen when subjected to impacts.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2009
• ICS: 81.080 - Refractories
• Technical Committee: C08 - Refractories
• Drafting Committee: C08.09 - Monolithics

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C181-03 - Standard Test Method for Workability Index of Fireclay and High-Alumina Plastic Refractories
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2009
• Replaced By: ASTM C181-11 - Standard Test Method for Workability Index of Fireclay and High-Alumina Refractory Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C179-14(2019) - Standard Test Method for Drying and Firing Linear Change of Refractory Plastic and Ramming Mix Specimens
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C673-97(2022) - Standard Classification of Fireclay and High-Alumina Plastic Refractories and Ramming Mixes
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C1054-18 - Standard Practice for Pressing and Drying Refractory Plastic and Ramming Mix Specimens
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C71-12(2018) - Standard Terminology Relating to Refractories
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-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:C181–09
Standard Test Method for
Workability Index of Fireclay and High-Alumina Plastic
1
Refractories
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C181; 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 under impact at various water contents, it is an indication that
the material is “short” or lacking in plasticity.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the work-
3.4 Determinations on samples that split during impact will
ability index of fireclay and high-alumina plastic refractories
be difficult to reproduce. If the sample splits, the measurement
by measuring the plastic deformation of a molded test speci-
is not a true indication of deformation. This should be noted in
men when subjected to impacts.
the report.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
4. Apparatus
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
4.1 Rammer—The apparatus shall consist of the device
and are not considered standard.
known as the sand rammer for refractories (see Fig. 1). It shall
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
consist essentially of a steel cylindrical mold (specimen tube)
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
2.00 in. (50.8 mm) in inside diameter and 4.75 in. (120.6 mm)
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
in length, supported in a vertical position on the same axis as
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
a shaft to which shall be fastened a plunger that fits inside the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
mold. A 14-lb (6.4-kg) cylindrical weight slides on the same
2. Referenced Documents shaft and is arranged to fall a distance of 2 in. (51 mm) before
2
engaging a collar fastened to the shaft.As shown in Fig. 1, the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
weight may be raised by a manually rotated cam. Provision
D2906 Practice for Statements on Precision and Bias for
3
shall be made by the equipment manufacturer to support the
Textiles
weight, thereby removing the load from the vertical shaft
3. Significance and Use
(example shown in Fig. 2). The sand rammer will include a
linear scale capable of measuring sample height to 0.02 in. (0.5
3.1 Workability index serves as a measure of the facility
mm) with a typical range of 1.7–2.5 in. (Note 1). The portion
with which plastic refractory materials can be rammed,
of the scale to be used shall be adjusted so that when the
gunned, or vibrated into place.
vertical shaft is measuring a 3.00 in. standard, 3.00 in. is read
3.2 Workability index is commonly used to control consis-
on the scale.
tency of plastics during manufacture. It has also been found
useful for specification acceptance by the consumer.
NOTE 1—The apparatus as described in this section is capable of
3.3 The workability index determination can provide infor-
measuring workabilities up to about 32 %. For products of higher
mation for developing a plastic body. When a sample splits workability a suitable spacer block may be installed under the specimen.
4.1.1 Mounting for Rammer—It is recommended the ram-
merbemountedonsandrammerbasesoldbythemanufacturer
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C08 on
or a concrete column to isolate the rammer from vibration
Refractories and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C08.09 on Monolith-
ics. variations. The rammer is to be secured onto the base or
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2009. Published October 2009. Originally
column using steel bolts.Variable results are obtained from the
approved in 1943. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as C181 – 03. DOI:
test unless the described mounting or an acceptable alternative
10.1520/C0181-09.
2
mounting is used for the rammer. An acceptable mounting
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
method is one that can be calibrated using the manufacturer’s
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
calibration rings described below in 4.1.2.
the ASTM website.
3 4.1.2 Maintenance and Calibration—As needed, depending
Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
on www.astm.org. on use, clean all moving parts and lubricate with SAE 10 oil.
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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 181–03 Designation:C 181–09
Standard Test Method for
Workability Index of Fireclay and High-Alumina Plastic
1
Refractories
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 181; 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 determination of the workability index of fireclay and high-alumina plastic refractories by
measuring the plastic deformation of a molded test specimen when subjected to impacts.
1.2
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 2906 Practice for Statements on Precision and Bias for Textiles
3. Significance and Use
3.1 Workability index serves as a measure of the facility with which plastic refractory materials can be rammed, gunned, or
vibrated into place.
3.2 Workability index is commonly used to control consistency of plastics during manufacture. It has also been found useful
for specification acceptance by the consumer.
3.3 The workability index determination can provide information for developing a plastic body. When a sample splits under
impact at various water contents, it is an indication that the material is “short” or lacking in plasticity.
3.4 Determinations on samples that split during impact will be difficult to reproduce. If the sample splits, the measurement is
not a true indication of deformation. This should be noted in the report.
4. Apparatus
4.1 Rammer—The apparatus shall consist of the device known as the sand rammer for refractories (see Fig. 1). It shall consist
essentially of a steel cylindrical mold (specimen tube) 2.00 in. (50.8 mm) in inside diameter and 4.75 in. (120.6 mm) in length,
supported in a vertical position on the same axis as a shaft to which shall be fastened a plunger that fits inside the mold. A 14-lb
(6.4-kg) cylindrical weight slides on the same shaft and is arranged to fall a distance of 2 in. (51 mm) before engaging a collar
fastened to the shaft.As shown in Fig. 1, the weight may be raised by a manually rotated cam. Provision shall be made to support
the weight, thereby removing the load from the vertical shaft by the installation of two hooks (having a 10-32 screw thread) in
the top side of the weight in a position that enables them to engage with pins (having an 8-32 screw thread) placed on each side
of the upper portion of the framework, as shown in Fig. 1 and in detail in , the weight may be raised by a manually rotated cam.
Provision shall be made by the equipment manufacturer to support the weight, thereby removing the load from the vertical shaft
(example shown in Fig. 2.Asteel rule, one edge graduated in 0.02-in. (0.5-mm) increments, shall be attached (). The sand rammer
will include a linear scale capable of measuring sample height to 0.02 in. (0.5 mm) with a typical range of 1.7–2.5 in. (Note 1)
to the rammer so that the position of the end of the vertical shaft can be read. The portion of the rule to be used shall be adjusted
so that when the vertical shaft is in the lowest position, its machined end is in alignment with the graduation on the rule that
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C08 on Refractories and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C08.09 on Monolithic Refractories.
1
Current edition approved November 1, 2003. Published January 2004. Originally approved in 1943. Last previous edition approved in 1997 as C181–91(1997) ´ .on
Monolithics.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2009. Published October 2009. Originally approved in 1943. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as C 181 – 03.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. ForAnnualBookofASTMStandards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 10
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