ASTM C1445-13(2018)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Measuring Consistency of Castable Refractory Using a Flow Table
Standard Test Method for Measuring Consistency of Castable Refractory Using a Flow Table
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 The amount of water used in a castable mix for preparing test specimens has a significant influence on subsequent test results. This test method is used primarily to determine and reproduce the consistency required for the optimum casting of refractory castables in the preparation of test specimens and to express that consistency quantitatively. The correct water content is one of the major factors that must be controlled to obtain uniform test specimens. Excess water can reduce strength, increase volume shrinkage, and promote segregation of the castable ingredients. Insufficient water can produce “honeycombs” (air voids) in the castable because of poor consolidation during placement and prevent complete hydration of cement.
3.2 The flow table (see sketches in Specification C230/C230M) has been found to be an excellent tool for measuring the consistency of a castable, and should be used in cases where a numerical result is required. Since castables differ somewhat in their “body” or plasticity, it has been found that a good casting range, expressed numerically, might vary from castable to castable. While one material may cast well between 40 and 60 % flow, another material may need to be in the 60 to 80 % flow range to properly flow. Because of this, it has been found that no arbitrary optimum range can be stated for all castables. The flow table then becomes a tool for measuring the flow and not determining it. It can allow the operator to follow the manufacturer's recommendations or to reproduce the consistency of a particular castable between laboratories.
3.3 Total time of wet mixing must be closely controlled to obtain reproducible results.
3.4 This test method is not intended to be used to determine the proper water content for gunning applications, although it may provide information of value for interpretation by a skilled operator.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining the consistency of castable refractory mixes by the flow table method.
1.2 This test method applies to regular-weight castable refractories, insulating castable refractories, and castable refractories that require heavy vibration for forming, which are described in Classification C401. They also apply to such castables containing metal fibers.
1.3 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.
1.4 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.
1.5 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
Relations
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: C1445 − 13 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Test Method for
Measuring Consistency of Castable Refractory Using a Flow
Table
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1445; 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.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope C401 Classification of Alumina and Alumina-Silicate
Castable Refractories
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining
C860Test Method for Determining the Consistency of
the consistency of castable refractory mixes by the flow table
Refractory Castable Using the Ball-In-Hand Test
method.
D346/D346MPractice for Collection and Preparation of
1.2 This test method applies to regular-weight castable
Coke Samples for Laboratory Analysis
refractories, insulating castable refractories, and castable re-
E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
fractories that require heavy vibration for forming, which are
ASTM Test Methods
described in Classification C401. They also apply to such
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
castables containing metal fibers.
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3. Significance and Use
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only 3.1 The amount of water used in a castable mix for
and are not considered standard. preparing test specimens has a significant influence on subse-
quent test results. This test method is used primarily to
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
determine and reproduce the consistency required for the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
optimum casting of refractory castables in the preparation of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
test specimens and to express that consistency quantitatively.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
The correct water content is one of the major factors that must
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
be controlled to obtain uniform test specimens. Excess water
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
can reduce strength, increase volume shrinkage, and promote
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
segregation of the castable ingredients. Insufficient water can
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
produce “honeycombs” (air voids) in the castable because of
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
poor consolidation during placement and prevent complete
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
hydration of cement.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.2 The flow table (see sketches in Specification C230/
2. Referenced Documents
C230M) has been found to be an excellent tool for measuring
the consistency of a castable, and should be used in cases
2.1 ASTM Standards:
where a numerical result is required. Since castables differ
C71Terminology Relating to Refractories
somewhat in their “body” or plasticity, it has been found that a
C230/C230MSpecification for Flow Table for Use in Tests
good casting range, expressed numerically, might vary from
of Hydraulic Cement
castabletocastable.Whileonematerialmaycastwellbetween
40and60%flow,anothermaterialmayneedtobeinthe60to
80% flow range to properly flow. Because of this, it has been
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C08 on
found that no arbitrary optimum range can be stated for all
Refractories and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C08.09 on Monolith-
ics.
castables.Theflowtablethenbecomesatoolformeasuringthe
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2018. Published October 2018. Originally
flow and not determining it. It can allow the operator to follow
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as C1445– 13. DOI:
the manufacturer’s recommendations or to reproduce the
10.1520/C1445-13R18.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or consistency of a particular castable between laboratories.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3.3 Total time of wet mixing must be closely controlled to
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. obtain reproducible results.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C1445 − 13 (2018)
FIG. 1 Plibrico Ruggedness Test Results
C1445 − 13 (2018)
3.4 This test method is not intended to be used to determine
the proper water content for gunning applications, although it
mayprovideinformationofvalueforinterpretationbyaskilled
operator.
4. Interferences (Factors Known to Affect Results)
4.1 A ruggedness test (Fig. 1) was performed using “C230
Calibration Mixture.” All factors were found not to cause
statistically significant effects on measured results. SeeASTM
Research Report No. RR:C08-1016.
4.2 Factors which were found to be rugged during the test
method evaluation were: (1) tamper cross section—round
versus rectangular; (2) tamper surface—polyurethane sealed
versus unsealed; (3) mold filling procedure; (4) number of
tamps—36versus44;(5)tabledroptime—7sversus11s;and
(6) operator.
FIG. 2 Special Mixer for Castable Refractories
5. Apparatus
NOTE 2—AJones or riffle-type sample splitter is satisfactory, provided
5.1 Balance, 15-lb (6.8-kg) capacity, with sensitivity of
the openings are large enough to accommodate the largest aggregate
0.002 lb (1 g).
particle. If a sample splitter is not available, hand reduction by the
5.2 Flow Table, Mold, and Calipers, conforming to the
cone-and-quarter method may be used. Follow the applicable portions of
this test method as described in Practice D346/D346M.
requirements of Specification C230/C230M.
5.3 Tamper—A nonabsorbing, nonabrasive, non-brittle ma-
6. Sampling
terial such as a rubber compound having a ShoreAdurometer
6.1 At the time of use, the dry castable mix should be
hardness of 80 6 10, or hardwood dowel made nonabsorbing
between 68 and 72°F (20 and 22°C). The temperature is
by coating with either solvent or water-based polyurethane,
measured by inserting the full length of the dial-thermometer
and the tamper shall have a cross section of ⁄2 by 1 in. (13 by
stem into the material until the reading is constant.
25mm) or an equivalent circular cross-sectional area and a
6.2 Reduce the mass of the castable mix with a sample
convenient length of 5 to 6 in. (127 to 152 mm). The tamping
splitter to obtain the desired batch size in accordance with 6.3.
faceshallbeflatandatrightanglestothelengthofthetamper.
Take precautions to prevent segregation. If additional batches
5.4 Trowel, having a steel blade 4 to 6 in. (100 to 150 mm)
are required, they should also be reduced to the desired batch
in length, with straight edges.
size with a sample splitter.
5.5 Castable Mixer—Either a manually or electrically oper-
6.3 Batch sizes for the flow table test normally consist of
ated (see Fig. 2) mechanical mixer may be used to prepare
10lb (4.5 kg) for a regular weight or 5 lb (2.3 kg) for an
batches for the consistency determination. Size the mixing
insulating castable. Mixer size may dictate other sizes. (See
bowl to contain 50 to 70% volume loading with the dry batch.
5.5.)
NOTE 1—Castable-water requirement variation becomes more signifi-
cantasdryvolumeloadingsdropbelow50%ofthecapacityofthemixer 7. Procedure
bowl because the water required to wet the bowl surfaces changes more
7.1 Preparation of Castable Sample:
rapidly with decreasing volume loadings.
7.1.1 Weigh the castable sample (see 6.3) to the nearest
5.6 Thermometer, dial or digital type, metal, with a range
0.02lb (9 g). Place the batch in the mixer described in 5.5 (see
from 0 to 180°F (−18 to 80°C).
Note 1), and dry mix for 1 min. While the mixer is operating
5.7 Vibrating Table—An electric vibrating table with
at slow speed, add 90% of the estimated water requirement
3600Hz and at least a 1-ft surface. having a temperature between 68 and 72°F (20 and 22°C),
within ⁄2min. Operate the mixer at 50 to 60 rpm, then add
5.8 Sample Splitter, designed to reduce the castable to the
additional water in small amounts from a tared container, and
desired weight and ensure that the grain size distribution is
mix until the batch appears to have the desired flow.
representative of the original batch.
7.1.2 The total actual wet mixing time, including water
additions,shouldbe3min 610sfordensecastables,5min 6
10 s for insulating castables, and 4 to 6 min for mixes needing
Laboratory Flow Table Calibration Mixture available from Cement and
heavy vibration, unless specified differently by the manufac-
Concrete Reference Laboratory, Building Research, 226-Room A365, National
Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 208989. turer.
Thesolesourceofsupplyofmechanicalmixersknowntothecommitteeatthis
NOTE 3—Mixing times of less than 5 min for insulating castables may
time is Hobart Corporation,
...
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