hydraulic testing machine is also preferred over the mechanical type for
these materials.
4.2 Spherical Bearing Block—The plane surface of the
spherical bearing block (see Fig. 1) shall have an area which is
equal to or greater than the cross section of the test specimen.
5. Test Specimens
5.1 Brick and Shapes (bulk density greater than 100 lb ⁄ft
3
(1.60 g/cm
3
))—The test specimens shall be 2 in. (51 mm) cubes
or cylinders, 2 in. (51 mm) in diameter by 2 in. (51 mm) high.
The height should be parallel to the original direction of
pressing of the brick or shape. In the case of special shapes,
only one specimen shall be cut from a single shape and as
many of the original surfaces as possible shall be preserved. In
preparing specimens from irregular or large refractory shapes,
any method involving the use of abrasives, such as a high-
speed abrasion wheel, core drill, or rubbing bed, that will
produce a specimen with approximately plane and parallel
sides without weakening the structure of the specimen may be
used.
5.2 Insulating Brick or Shapes (typical bulk density of 100
lb/ft
3
(1.60 g/cm
3
), or greater than 45 % total porosity, or
both)—The test specimens shall be 4
1
⁄
2
in. by 4
1
⁄
2
in. by 2
1
⁄
2
in.
or 3 in. (114 mm by 114 mm by 64 mm or 76 mm), each taken
from a different brick. It is permissible to prepare these
specimens from the half-brick resulting from the modulus of
rupture test (see Sections 9 – 14). The selected compression
test section shall be free of cracks, chipped surfaces, and other
obvious defects. The test surfaces shall be approximately
parallel planes.
5.3 Castable Refractories—The test specimens shall be 2 in.
by 2 in. by 2 in. (51 mm by 51 mm by 51 mm) cubes or
cylinders 2 in. (51 mm) in diameter by 2 in. (51 mm) high,
prepared by casting or gunning. It is permissible to prepare one
specimen from each 9 in. by 2 in. by 2 in. (230 mm by 51 mm
by 51 mm) bar after the modulus of rupture test (see Sections
9 – 14). The selected compression test section shall be free of
cracks, chipped surfaces, and other obvious defects. The
loaded surfaces shall be approximately parallel planes. All
samples must be dried at 220 °F to 230 °F (105 °C to 110 °C)
for 18 h (overnight). Upon removal from the oven, allow the
sample to cool naturally until cool to the touch. Complete
testing within 2 h of removal from the drying oven. (See
Practices C862 and C1054.)
6. Procedure
6.1 At least five specimens from an equivalent number of
refractory shapes compose a sample.
NOTE 2—For relatively weak specimens like insulating castables or
insulating firebricks, a minimum sample size of ten specimens is pre-
ferred.
6.2 Brick and Shapes—Place a cellulose fiber wall board
(for example, Masonite
3
) 0.25 in. (6.4 mm) in thickness and
extending 0.5 in. (12.7 mm) or more beyond the edges of the
loaded faces of the specimen. Apply the load parallel to the
direction in which the brick was originally pressed.
6.3 Regular and High-Strength Castables—Place a cellulose
fiber wall board 0.25 in. (6.4 mm) in thickness and extending
0.5 in. (12.7 mm) or more beyond the edges of the loaded faces
of the specimen. Apply the load on the 2 in. by 2 in. (51 mm by
51 mm) or 2 in. (51 mm) diameter face and perpendicular to
the depth of the specimen as originally cast or gunned.
6.4 Insulating Brick or Shapes—Apply the load directly to
the 4
1
⁄
2
in. by 4
1
⁄
2
in. (114 mm by 114 mm) surface of the test
specimen.
6.5 Insulating Castables (typical bulk density of 100 lb/ft
3
(1.60 g/cm
3
), or greater than 45 % total porosity, or both)—
Apply the load directly to the 2 in. by 2 in. (51 mm by 51 mm)
face and perpendicular to the depth of the specimen as
originally cast or gunned.
6.6 Use the bearing block on top of the test specimen, and
position it so that the center of the sphere is in alignment with
the vertical axis of the specimen (see Fig. 1). Keep the
spherical bearing block thoroughly lubricated to ensure accu-
rate adjustment which may be made by hand under a small
initial load for each specimen.
NOTE 3—The spherical bearing block may not be necessary on test
machines having mechanical linkages which ensure that the stress applied
is colinear with the axis of the specimen.
6.7 For dense refractories with sufficient strength to require
greater than about 3 min per test, initial loading to one half of
the anticipated failure load may be accomplished at any
convenient rate exceeding the specified rate. Subsequently,
each specimen shall be crushed with a compressive load
applied at the standard rates specified in Table 1. The rates shall
not vary by more than 610 % of the specified rate for the type
of refractory being tested.
6.8 When using a mechanical testing machine, keep the
balance beam in a constantly floating position.
6.9 Specimens are loaded, as specified, to failure. Failure is
defined as the collapse of the specimen (failure to support the
load), or the reduction of the specimen height to 90 % of its
original value. The maximum applied load is recorded.
3
Masonite has been found satisfactory for this purpose.
FIG. 1 Recommended Design for Crushing Test Assembly,
Including Bearing Block
C133 − 24
2