Designation: C973 − 87 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Practice for
Preparing Test Specimens From Basic Refractory Gunning
Products by Pressing1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C973; 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.
1. Scope 3.3 Steel Molds.
1.1 This practice covers a procedure for preparing test 3.4 Furnace.
specimens from basic refractory gunning products by pressing 3.5 Oven, air-circulating.
prepared material in a mold. After pressing, test specimens
prepared from dolomitic mixes are subjected to a prescribed 3.6 Desiccator.
heat treatment. Specimens prepared in accordance with this 3.7 Trowel.
procedure are intended for use in ASTM test methods.
4. Procedure
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical 4.1 Store the material to be tested at 85 6 2°F (29.5 6 1°C)
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only for 24 h prior to testing. Dolomitic materials should be stored
and are not considered standard. in airtight containers.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4.2 Reduce the sample to the desired batch size with a
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the sample splitter or by quartering taking precautions to prevent
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- segregation. Sufficient material should be batched to provide at
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- least a 10 % excess over test specimen requirements.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 4.3 Add the weighed, dry batch to the mixer and dry-mix at
low speed for 30 s. Continue to mix at low speed while adding
2. Significance and Use
the required amount of water (see 4.3.1) within 30 s. Wet-mix
2.1 This practice defines a procedure that ensures consistent at low speed for 3 min.
preparation of specimens for product testing and evaluation. 4.3.1 Use the amount of water and mixing time (if different
2.2 This practice can be used in the laboratories of from above) recommended by the manufacturer. The water
producers, users, and general-interest parties for research and must be potable and at a temperature of 85 6 2°F (29.5 6
development or quality-control work. It is particularly useful 1°C). Measure the water addition to the nearest 0.1 % by
for interlaboratory comparisons on products, for repetitive weight.
evaluations or comparisons of products or product equality, 4.4 Specimens of the desired size should be pressed imme-
and in specifying a uniform preparation practice for specimens diately after the batch is mixed. Weigh the proper amount of
for acceptance testing. material (see 4.4.1) for each specimen to the nearest 0.02 lb (10
2.3 In using this practice, it must be recognized that the g), and distribute the mix uniformly in the mold using the
structure of laboratory-pressed specimens may differ signifi- narrow edge of a trowel. (The remainder of the batch should be
cantly from the structure of material gunned in field applica- covered with a damp cloth during the pressing procedure).
tions. Press test specimens at 1800 psi (12.41 MPa).
4.4.1 Some products contain hydratable materials (for
3. Apparatus example, dead-burned dolomite) or quick-setting bonds, or
3.1 Mixer, bench-type, Hobart or equivalent. both, that tend to react during the course of pressing several
specimens from a single wet-mixed batch. Because of this
3.2 Press, mechanical or hydraulic. reaction, the physical properties of specimens pressed near the
beginning of a batch may differ from those of specimens
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C08 on Refractories pressed near the end. Products of these types should be mixed
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C08.09 on Monolithics. in small batches to minimize this effect.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2015. Published October 2015. Originally
approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as C973 – 87 (2009). 4.5 Test specimens prepared from mixes that do not contain
DOI: 10.1520/C0973-87R15. dolomite should be air-dried for 4 h, and then dried for a
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
C973 − 87 (2015)
minimum of 8 h at 225 6 5°F (107 6 2.5°C) in a circulating for a maximum of 2 h, and store in a desiccator or nitrogen-
air dryer prior to testing. Testing should be carried out within purged box prior to testing. Testing must be performed within
48 h. 48 h, taking precautions to prevent hydration.
4.6 Test specimens prepared from dolomitic mixes require
special handling to prevent hydration. Place the test specimens 5. Calculation and Report
in a furnace at 1830°F (1000°C) immediately after pressing 5.1 In the report on specimen preparation, include the
and soak for a minimum of 2 h. Then remove them from the percent water addition, drying time, and test specimen size.
furnace before it has cooled below 1100°F (593°C), cool in air
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