ASTM C914-09(2022)e1

• Abstract:

  SIGNIFICANCE AND USE; 2.1 This test method may be used to quickly determine volume and bulk density of a refractory of any shape, provided it has sufficient structural integrity to permit handling. Thus it may be used on unfired or fired, strong or friable shapes. ; 2.2 Since the test may be performed quickly, it has found application as manufacturing in-process control as well as in characterizing finished refractory products. Also it may be used to examine specimens after other test or service exposure.; SCOPE; 1.1 This test method covers the basic procedure for determining bulk density and volume of refractory shapes. This test is applicable to all refractory shapes or monoliths, burned or unburned, independent of composition or forming method, including materials that slake and hydrate. It is particularly suitable for determining bulk density and volume of complex shapes after forming, since results may be obtained in a matter of minutes. ; 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 Exception—The balance used in this standard is only available in SI units (Sections 3 – 6). ; 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. For a specific hazard statement, see 3.2. ; 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.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2022
• ICS: 81.080 - Refractories
• Technical Committee: C08 - Refractories
• Drafting Committee: C08.03 - Physical Properties

Overview

ASTM C914-09(2022)e1 is an internationally recognized standard test method developed by ASTM International for determining the bulk density and volume of solid refractories using wax immersion. This method is applicable to all refractory shapes-fired or unfired, strong or friable-regardless of composition or forming method. It delivers reliable results rapidly, making it especially useful for both manufacturing in-process control and characterizing finished refractory products. The method is suited for use with complex-shaped specimens and can be applied after exposure to other tests or service environments.

Key Topics

• Scope of Application

  • Suitable for all types of refractory shapes and monoliths, regardless of whether they are burned or unburned.
  • Applicable to materials that can slake and hydrate.
  • Adaptable to both strong and fragile (friable) forms.

• Test Method

  • Employs wax immersion to coat and seal the specimen.
  • Weight measurements are carried out with a balance, enabling accurate determination of bulk density and volume.
  • The process involves drying specimens, coating with paraffin wax, and submerging in water to obtain the needed measurements.
  • Bulk density is calculated by dividing the initial specimen weight by its measured volume, excluding the wax coating.

• Speed and Efficiency

  • Results are typically obtained in a matter of minutes.
  • The procedure is quick and efficient, supporting high-throughput manufacturing settings.

• Precision and Repeatability

  • The method has been validated through interlaboratory studies for both repeatability and reproducibility.
  • Results should be based on at least five representative specimens for statistical reliability.

• Safety

  • Users are responsible for establishing appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices.
  • Adequate precautions must be taken when handling molten wax due to its flammable vapors.

Applications

• Manufacturing Quality Control

  • Enables rapid assessment of bulk density during refractory production for process optimization and quality assurance.
  • Suitable for both in-process control and final product characterization.

• Specimen Evaluation

  • Used to analyze specimens after exposure to other physical tests or after being in service.
  • Can assess complex shapes immediately after forming, helping to ensure component integrity before further processing.

• Research and Development

  • Facilitates comparative testing and material benchmarking in laboratory and industrial settings.

• Accredited Laboratory Testing

  • Forms part of standardized laboratory procedures for reporting bulk density and volume of refractory materials, ensuring regulatory and customer compliance.

Related Standards

• ASTM C20 – Standard Test Methods for Apparent Porosity, Water Absorption, Apparent Specific Gravity, and Bulk Density of Burned Refractory Brick and Shapes by Boiling Water.
• ASTM C133 – Standard Test Methods for Cold Crushing Strength and Modulus of Rupture of Refractories.
• ASTM C134 – Standard Test Methods for Size and Bulk Density of Refractory Brick and Shapes.
• ASTM C559 – Standard Test Methods for Density of Hydraulic Cement.

Summary

By following ASTM C914-09(2022)e1, manufacturers and laboratories can achieve quick, reliable measurements of both volume and bulk density of solid refractories using the wax immersion technique. This method supports efficient quality control, process improvement, and thorough material characterization, fostering consistent product performance and compliance within the refractory industry.

Keywords: ASTM C914, bulk density, volume, solid refractories, wax immersion, refractory shapes, quality control, test method.

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.
´1
Designation: C914 − 09 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Test Method for
Bulk Density and Volume of Solid Refractories by Wax
Immersion
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C914; 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.
ε NOTE—Units were added to the titles of Tables 1 and 2 editorially in April 2022.
1. Scope 2.2 Since the test may be performed quickly, it has found
application as manufacturing in-process control as well as in
1.1 This test method covers the basic procedure for deter-
characterizingfinishedrefractoryproducts.Alsoitmaybeused
mining bulk density and volume of refractory shapes. This test
to examine specimens after other test or service exposure.
is applicable to all refractory shapes or monoliths, burned or
unburned, independent of composition or forming method,
3. Apparatus
including materials that slake and hydrate. It is particularly
3.1 Paraffın Wax, fully refined, that has a known constant
suitable for determining bulk density and volume of complex
density, K, that does not change after repeated melting and
shapes after forming, since results may be obtained in a matter
cooling cycles.
of minutes.
NOTE 1—The paraffin waxes generally used are commercially available
1.2 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be
and have density values in the range 54.29 pcf to 56.78 pcf (0.87 to 0.91
regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are
g/cm ). Also, these waxes melt at approximately 135 °F (57 °C).
mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for
3.2 Wax Melting Container, used to melt the wax but should
information only and are not considered standard.
not allow the wax to overheat.Acontainer heated by hot water,
1.2.1 Exception—The balance used in this standard is only
preferably thermostatically controlled, is satisfactory. The wax
available in SI units (Sections3–6).
should be heated to only slightly above the melting point to
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
avoid flashing of the wax vapors and to permit quickly forming
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
a uniform surface coating of wax. Warning—Vapors given off
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
by molten wax ignite spontaneously at above 400 °F (205 °C)
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
and should not be allowed to come in contact with the heating
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
element or open flame.
For a specific hazard statement, see 3.2.
3.3 Balance, capable of determining the weights of the
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
specimens to four significant figures. Thus, specimens weigh-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ing from 100 to 999 g should be weighed to one decimal place,
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
thosefrom10to99gshouldbeweighedtotwodecimalplaces,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
and so forth.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4. Sampling
2. Significance and Use
4.1 At least five representative specimens should be chosen
of the refractory to be characterized. These may be whole
2.1 This test method may be used to quickly determine
shapes or broken pieces, depending on the purpose of the test.
volume and bulk density of a refractory of any shape, provided
it has sufficient structural integrity to permit handling. Thus it
5. Procedure
may be used on unfired or fired, strong or friable shapes.
5.1 Preparation of Specimens—The test specimens shall be
dried to a constant weight by heating to 220 to 230 °F (105 to
110 °C) to remove entrapped moisture, which would affect the
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C08 on
Refractories and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C08.03 on Physical
bulk density determination. This drying process may be omit-
Properties.
ted when specimens are known to be dry or when it is desired
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2022. Published February 2022. Originally
to make density determinations on moisture-containing
approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as C914 – 09 (2015).
DOI: 10.1520/C0914-09R22E01. specimens, such as brick shapes, immediately after forming.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
´1
C914 − 09 (2022)
5.2 Initial Weight, W—Determine the initial weight, W,of where:
each test specimen in grams to four significant figures.
K = density of the wax, g/cm .
5.3 Coating the Test Specimen:
6.1.3 Obtain the volume, V, of the test specimen by sub-
5.3.1 Coat the specimen with wax by dipping the specimen
tracting the volume of the wax coating from the total volume
into the container of melted wax. The coating is easily applied
as calculated in 6.1.1 as follows:
by holding one end of the specimen and immersing one half to
V 5 V 2 V (3)
1 2
two thirds of it. Then, hold the waxed end, and immerse the
6.2 Bulk Density, B—The bulk density, B, of a specimen in
unwaxed portion plus a small overlap into the wax to provide
grams per cubic centimetre is the quotient of its initial weight
a complete coating.
divided by volume of the test specimen, excluding the volume
5.3.2 Take care not to entrap air bubbles under the wax. If
of wax. Calculate B as follows:
found, press these bubbles out so the wax conforms exactly to
the surface of the specimen. Close holes in the wax coating by
B 5 W/V (4)
additional dipping in wax so the surface can be completely
sealed.
7. Report
5.4 Wax-Coated Weight, P—Determine the weight of the
7.1 For each property, report the average of the values
wax-coated specimen, P, in grams to four significant figures.
obtained with at least five specimens, and preferably, the
individ
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