ASTM_C_181_-_11.pdf

Designation:C18111Standard Test Method forWorkability Index of Fireclay and High-Alumina RefractoryPlastics1This standard is issued under the fixed designation C181;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the determination of the work-ability index of fireclay and high-alumina refractory plastics bymeasuring the plastic deformation of a molded test specimenwhen subjected to impacts.1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D2906 Practice for Statements on Precision and Bias forTextiles(Withdrawn 2008)33.Significance and Use3.1 Workability index serves as a measure of the facilitywith which refractory plastic materials can be rammed,gunned,or vibrated into place.3.2 Workability index is commonly used to control consis-tency of plastics during manufacture.It has also been founduseful for specification acceptance by the consumer.3.3 The workability index determination can provide infor-mation for developing a plastic body.When a sample splitsunder impact at various water contents,it is an indication thatthe material is“short”or lacking in plasticity.3.4 Determinations on samples that split during impact willbe difficult to reproduce.If the sample splits,the measurementis not a true indication of deformation.This should be noted inthe report.4.Apparatus4.1 RammerThe apparatus shall consist of the deviceknown as the sand rammer for refractories(see Fig.1).It shallconsist 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 asa shaft to which shall be fastened a plunger that fits inside themold.A 14-lb(6.4-kg)cylindrical weight slides on the sameshaft and is arranged to fall a distance of 2 in.(51 mm)beforeengaging a collar fastened to the shaft.As shown in Fig.1,theweight may be raised by a manually rotated cam.Provisionshall be made by the equipment manufacturer to support theweight,thereby removing the load from the vertical shaft(example shown in Fig.2).The sand rammer will include alinear scale capable of measuring sample height to 0.02 in.(0.5mm)with a typical range of 1.72.5 in.(Note 1).The portionof the scale to be used shall be adjusted so that when thevertical shaft is measuring a 3.00 in.standard,3.00 in.is readon the scale.NOTE1The apparatus as described in this section is capable ofmeasuring workabilities up to about 32%.For products of higherworkability a suitable spacer block may be installed under the specimen.4.1.1 Mounting for RammerIt is recommended the ram-mer be mounted on sand rammer base sold by the manufactureror a concrete column to isolate the rammer from vibrationvariations.The rammer is to be secured onto the base orcolumn using steel bolts.Variable results are obtained from thetest unless the described mounting or an acceptable alternativemounting is used for the rammer.An acceptable mountingmethod is one that can be calibrated using the manufacturerscalibration rings described below in 4.1.2.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C08 onRefractories and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C08.09 on Monolith-ics.Current edition approved Oct.1,2011.Published November 2011.Originallyapproved in 1943.Last previous edition approved in 2009 as C181 09.DOI:10.1520/C0181-11.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 4.1.2 Maintenance and CalibrationAs needed,dependingon use,clean all moving parts and lubricate with SAE 10 oil.Make periodic checks of the height that the weight drops toinsure the weight is being raised 2 in.(51 mm).Inspect therammer to determine whether it and the foundation areproducing full ramming energy.This is accomplished by usingcalibrated impact rings.4Inspect the specimen tube(Note 2).NOTE2Variation in the smoothness and dimensions of the specimentube may cause variation in