ASTM_C_860_-_15.pdf

Designation:C86015Standard Test Method forDetermining the Consistency of Refractory Castable Usingthe Ball-In-Hand Test1This standard is issued under the fixed designation C860;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.This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S.Department of Defense.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the procedures for determiningthe consistency of a castable using the Ball-in-Hand Test.Theamount of water used in a castable has a significant influenceon its performance.1.2 This test method applies to castable refractories that aredescribed in Classification C401.It also applies to suchcastables containing metal fibers.1.3 This test method is not intended to determine the properconsistency for gunning,pumping,or self flow applications.1.4 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.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of this standard to establish appropriate safetyand health practices and determine the applicability of regu-latory limitations prior to use.(See 6.2.3 for a specific safetywarning.)2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C401 Classification of Alumina and Alumina-SilicateCastable Refractories3.Significance and Use3.1 This test method is used to determine if a freshly mixedrefractory castable is of the proper consistency to provideoptimum performance.There are times when the manufactur-ers specified water content and consistency will purposely notlead to the correct ball in hand but should be used to provideoptimum performance.Contact the manufacturer when indoubt.This test method can also be used to estimate the correctwater addition rate of a castable when either the manufacturersspecified water content is not available or when uniquecircumstances have rendered that recommendation unusable.3.2 The correct water content is an important factor thatmust be controlled to obtain optimum castable performance.Excess water can reduce strength,increase volume shrinkage,and promote segregation of the castable ingredients.Insuffi-cient water can produce“honeycombs”(air voids)in thecastable because of the insufficient mobility during placementand in extreme cases can prevent the complete hydration of thecement(if used).3.3 The Ball-in-Hand test is subjective and somewhat de-pends on the skill of the operator.However,it is a universallyaccessible method due to the simplicity of the equipmentrequired,and it is readily used in the field.3.4 The total wet mixing time of a castable influences therheological and final properties and therefore should be moni-tored.3.5 This test method can be performed in a laboratory or ona job site.4.Apparatus4.1 Castable MixerEither a manually or electrically oper-ated mechanical mixer(see Fig.1)may be used to preparebatches for consistency determination in a laboratory.Wetcastable may also be obtained while in the field from the mixerbeing used for installation.4.2 Heavy Rubber Gloves,for castables containing metalfibers.4.3 Clock or Watch,with a readability of 1 s.5.Sampling5.1 A representative handful of freshly mixed castableshould be drawn from the center of the mixer while the mixeris not running.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.1,2015.Published December 2015.Originallyapproved in 1977.Last previous edition approved in 2010 as C860 10.DOI:10.1520/C0860-15.2For 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.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 6.Procedure6.1 Preparation of Castable:6.1.1 Load the mixer with dry castable to an appropriatelevel so as to allow proper mixing action by the mixer but notso much as to cause dry or wet castable to splash out of themixer.6.1.1.1 The amount of water required to reach the consis-tency specified in 6.2 increases as the dry volume loading of amixer drops below 40%of its capacity.This occurs becausethe percentage of the total water required to wet the mixersurfaces increases with decreased volume loading.6.1.2 Dry mix the castable for the manufacturers recom-mended dry mixing time or until the castable appears to befully mixed.6.1.3 Start the mixer and note the time.Add 90%of theestimated water requirem