Designation: C198 −09 (Reapproved 2025)
Standard Test Method for
Cold Bonding Strength of Refractory Mortar
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This standard is issued under the fixed designation C198; 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
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the bond-
ing strength of air-setting refractory mortar by determining the
flexural strength (modulus of rupture) at room temperature of
oven-dried brick-mortar joints.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard.
1.3 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 appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
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C78/C78M Test Method for Flexural Strength of Concrete
(Using Simple Beam with Third-Point Loading)
C133 Test Methods for Cold Crushing Strength and Modu-
lus of Rupture of Refractories
C651 Test Method for Flexural Strength of Manufactured
Carbon and Graphite Articles Using Four-Point Loading at
Room Temperature
E4 Practices for Force Calibration and Verification of Test-
ing Machines
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Significance and Use
3.1 The data developed by this test method show the
bonding strength and intrinsic strength of different qualities of
air-setting mortar. The procedures described in this test method
measure the bonding strength and intrinsic strength of air-
setting mortars when used with specific brands or lots of
refractory brick.
3.2 Note that it is possible to obtain results with these
methods for brick and mortar combinations which are incom-
patible for use at high operating temperatures. The user must
determine this compatibility. Only brick and mortar combina-
tions known or intended to be compatible for a particular use
should be tested.
3.3 Properties of the brick, including its strength, apparent
porosity, and pore size distribution, can affect the measurement
of both the bonding strength of the brick-mortar composite and
the intrinsic strength of the mortar. The average modulus of
rupture of the test brick, as determined by Test Methods C133,
should exceed that expected for the mortar being tested. The
testing of specific brands or lots of brick and mortar is
preferred.
3.4 Three modes of failure are available: the break may
occur within the brick itself, at the brick-mortar interface, or
within the mortar itself. The latter provides a practical mea-
surement of the strength of the mortar itself and is the
predominant mode of failure with the four-point flexure test
described. The three-point flexure test measures the failure
strength of the brick-mortar composite. Failure within the brick
itself suggests that either the particular brick contained a
serious flaw, or that the mortar joint strength is of the same
magnitude or greater than that of the refractory brick. The
mode of failure should always be reported in the final report.
3.5 A ruggedness test for this test method
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performed in
1985 found the following variables to be rugged: specimen size
(2.5 in. to 3.0 in.), mortared surface (cut versus uncut), joint
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C08 on
Refractories and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C08.01 on Strength.
Current edition approved April 1, 2025. Published April 2025. Originally
approved in 1945. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as C198 – 09 (2019).
DOI: 10.1520/C0198-09R25.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at www.astm.org/contact. For Annual Book of
ASTM Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary
page on the ASTM website.
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Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:C08-1008. Contact ASTM Customer
Service at www.astm.org/contact.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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