ASTM C20-00(2015)

Standard Test Methods for Apparent Porosity, Water Absorption, Apparent Specific Gravity, and Bulk Density of Burned Refractory Brick and Shapes by Boiling Water

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 Apparent porosity, water absorption, apparent specific gravity, and bulk density are primary properties of burned refractory brick and shapes. These properties are widely used in the evaluation and comparison of product quality and as part of the criteria for selection and use of refractory products in a variety of industrial applications. These test methods are used for determining any or all of these properties.  
3.2 These test methods are primary standard methods which are suitable for use in quality control, research and development, establishing criteria for and evaluating compliance with specifications, and providing data for design purposes.  
3.3 Fundamental assumptions inherent in these test methods are that the test specimens are not attacked by water, the test specimens conform to the requirements for size, configuration, and original faces, the open pores of the test specimens are fully impregnated with water during the boiling treatment, and the blotting of the saturated test specimens is performed as specified in a consistent and uniform manner to avoid withdrawing water from the pores. Deviation from any of these assumptions adversely affects the test results.  
3.4 In laboratory studies involving castable specimen, a bias was noted between formed 2 by 2 by 2–in. (50 by 50 by 50–mm) and specimens that were quartered from larger 9 by 4.5 by 2.5 (228 by 114 by 64 mm) cast specimens. Additionally, an error in the apparent porosity determination on castables was found whenever the specimens were heated to 1500°F (816°C) and then exposed to water as a saturation media (Test Method C830). The error was attributed to reactivity of cement with water and subsequent re-hydration of cement phases. The higher the cement level of the castable, the greater the error noted. It was concluded that an error in porosity values could occur for refractory materials having a potential to form hydrated species with water.3  
3.5 Certain precautions must be exercis...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the following properties of burned refractory brick:  
1.1.1 Apparent porosity,  
1.1.2 Water absorption,  
1.1.3 Apparent specific gravity, and  
1.1.4 Bulk density.  
1.2 These test methods are not applicable to refractories attacked by water.  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2015
• ICS: 81.080 - Refractories
• Technical Committee: C08 - Refractories
• Drafting Committee: C08.03 - Physical Properties

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:C20 −00 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Test Methods for
Apparent Porosity, Water Absorption, Apparent Specific
Gravity, and Bulk Density of Burned Refractory Brick and
1
Shapes by Boiling Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C20; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
following properties of burned refractory brick:
3. Significance and Use
1.1.1 Apparent porosity,
3.1 Apparent porosity, water absorption, apparent specific
1.1.2 Water absorption,
gravity, and bulk density are primary properties of burned
1.1.3 Apparent specific gravity, and
refractory brick and shapes. These properties are widely used
1.1.4 Bulk density.
in the evaluation and comparison of product quality and as part
1.2 These test methods are not applicable to refractories
of the criteria for selection and use of refractory products in a
attacked by water.
variety of industrial applications. These test methods are used
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded for determining any or all of these properties.
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
3.2 These test methods are primary standard methods which
information only.
are suitable for use in quality control, research and
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
development, establishing criteria for and evaluating compli-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ance with specifications, and providing data for design pur-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
poses.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.3 Fundamental assumptions inherent in these test methods
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
are that the test specimens are not attacked by water, the test
specimens conform to the requirements for size, configuration,
2. Referenced Documents
and original faces, the open pores of the test specimens are
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
fully impregnated with water during the boiling treatment, and
C134 Test Methods for Size, Dimensional Measurements,
the blotting of the saturated test specimens is performed as
and Bulk Density of Refractory Brick and Insulating
specified in a consistent and uniform manner to avoid with-
Firebrick
drawing water from the pores. Deviation from any of these
C830 Test Methods for Apparent Porosity, Liquid
assumptions adversely affects the test results.
Absorption, Apparent Specific Gravity, and Bulk Density
3.4 Inlaboratorystudiesinvolvingcastablespecimen,abias
of Refractory Shapes by Vacuum Pressure
was noted between formed 2 by 2 by 2–in. (50 by 50 by
50–mm) and specimens that were quartered from larger 9 by
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C08 on
4.5 by 2.5 (228 by 114 by 64 mm) cast specimens.
Refractories and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C08.03 on Physical
Additionally,anerrorintheapparentporositydeterminationon
Properties.
castables was found whenever the specimens were heated to
Current edition approved March 1, 2015. Published April 2015. Originally
1500°F (816°C) and then exposed to water as a saturation
approved in 1918. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as C20 – 00 (2010). DOI:
10.1520/C0020-00R15.
media (Test Method C830). The error was attributed to
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
reactivity of cement with water and subsequent re-hydration of
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
cement phases.The higher the cement level of the castable, the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. greater the error noted. It was concluded that an error in
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C20−00 (2015)
porosity values could occur for refractory materials having a 5.2.2 After the boiling period, cool the test specimens to
3
potential to form hydrated species with water. room temperature while still completely covered with water.
After boiling keep the specimens immersed in water for a
3.5 Certain precautions must be exercised in interpreting
minimum of 12 h before weighing.
and using results from these test methods. All four property
values
...

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: C20 − 00 (Reapproved 2010) C20 − 00 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Test Methods for
Apparent Porosity, Water Absorption, Apparent Specific
Gravity, and Bulk Density of Burned Refractory Brick and
1
Shapes by Boiling Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C20; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the following properties of burned refractory brick:
1.1.1 Apparent porosity,
1.1.2 Water absorption,
1.1.3 Apparent specific gravity, and
1.1.4 Bulk density.
1.2 These test methods are not applicable to refractories attacked by water.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C134 Test Methods for Size, Dimensional Measurements, and Bulk Density of Refractory Brick and Insulating Firebrick
C830 Test Methods for Apparent Porosity, Liquid Absorption, Apparent Specific Gravity, and Bulk Density of Refractory Shapes
by Vacuum Pressure
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Significance and Use
3.1 Apparent porosity, water absorption, apparent specific gravity, and bulk density are primary properties of burned refractory
brick and shapes. These properties are widely used in the evaluation and comparison of product quality and as part of the criteria
for selection and use of refractory products in a variety of industrial applications. These test methods are used for determining any
or all of these properties.
3.2 These test methods are primary standard methods which are suitable for use in quality control, research and development,
establishing criteria for and evaluating compliance with specifications, and providing data for design purposes.
3.3 Fundamental assumptions inherent in these test methods are that the test specimens are not attacked by water, the test
specimens conform to the requirements for size, configuration, and original faces, the open pores of the test specimens are fully
impregnated with water during the boiling treatment, and the blotting of the saturated test specimens is performed as specified in
a consistent and uniform manner to avoid withdrawing water from the pores. Deviation from any of these assumptions adversely
affects the test results.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C08 on Refractories and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C08.03 on Physical Properties.
Current edition approved April 1, 2010March 1, 2015. Published May 2010April 2015. Originally approved in 1918. Last previous edition approved in 20052010 as
C20 – 00 (2005).(2010). DOI: 10.1520/C0020-00R10.10.1520/C0020-00R15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM 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 ----------------------
C20 − 00 (2015)
3.4 In laboratory studies involving castable specimen, a bias was noted between formed 2 by 2 by 2–in. (50 by 50 by 50–mm)
and specimens that were quartered from larger 9 by 4.5 by 2.5 (228 by 114 by 64 mm) cast specimens. Additionally, an error in
the apparent porosity determination on castables was found whenever the specimens were heated to 1500°F (816°C) and then
exposed to water as a saturation media (Test Method C830). The error was attributed to reactivity of cement with water and
subsequent re-hydration of cement phases. The higher the cement level of the castable, the greater the error noted. It was concluded
3
that an error in porosity values could occur for refractory materials having a potential
...