1、Designation: C860 10Standard 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
2、 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 Department of Defense.1. Scope1.1 This test method covers the
3、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 regular weight castablerefractories and insulating castable refractories which aredescribed in Clas
4、sification C401. It also applies to suchcastables containing metal fibers.1.3 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.1.4 This st
5、andard 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
6、.)2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C401 Classification of Alumina and Alumina-SilicateCastable Refractories3. Significance and Use3.1 This test method is used primarily to determine if afreshly mixed refractory castable is of the proper consistencyand therefore would most likely provide op
7、timum perfor-mance. It can also be used to estimate the correct wateraddition 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
8、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 ex
9、treme 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
10、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.3.6 This test method is not intended to determine the properconsistency for gunning applications, although it ma
11、y provideinformation of value for interpretation by a skilled operator.4. Apparatus4.1 Castable MixerEither a manually or electrically op-erated mechanical mixer (see Fig. 1) may be used to preparebatches for consistency determination in a laboratory. Wetcastable may also be obtained while in the fi
12、eld 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
13、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 Nov. 1, 2010. Published December 2010. Originallyapproved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as C86000 (2005). DOI:
14、10.1520/C0860-10.2For 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.1Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harb
15、or Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.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
16、.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
17、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 requirement over a period of 30 s. If a watercontent specified by the manufacturer is available, it should beused to calc
18、ulate this amount. Then add additional water insmall amounts and continue mixing until the batch appears tohave the desired ball-in-hand consistency specified in 6.2.Some castables require a minimum amount of mixing time towet out. Do not add additional water until sufficient time forwet out has occ
19、urred. Follow the manufacturers recommen-dations for minimum mixing time.6.1.3.1 The moisture content of lightweight, porous aggre-gates can affect the water demand of a castable. Dry aggregatescan change the consistency of a castable after mixing iscompleted by absorbing the mixing water into its p
20、ores. Thiscan cause premature stiffening and poor consolidation of thecastable.6.1.4 The total mixing time, including water additions, shallbe in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations. Ifno recommendations are given, use the following guidelines: 3min for dense castables, 5 min for insul
21、ating castables, 4 to 6min for mixes needing heavy vibration, and at least 5 min forcastables containing deflocculating admixtures (to allow forwet-out), such as low cement castables (LCC) or ultra-lowcement castables (ULCC).6.2 Ball-in-Hand Test:6.2.1 Prepare the castable in accordance with 6.1.6.2
22、.2 While the mixer is off, remove a handful of castablefrom the center of the mixer.6.2.3 Form a fist-sized compact ball of the mix with thehands (see Figs. 2-4). Toss it upward about 1 ft (300 mm), andcatch it in one hand with the fingers spread slightly apart. Theproper consistency and variations
23、are illustrated in Figs. 2-4.(WarningIf the castable contains metal fibers, the operatormust wear a heavy rubber glove to prevent the needles fromcutting or otherwise injuring his hand.)7. Report7.1 Report the following information:7.1.1 The type of mixer used to prepare the test batch,7.1.2 Environ
24、mental conditions such as ambient tempera-ture and water quality,7.1.3 The total mixing time, and7.1.4 The consistency of the castable as observed by theBall-in-Hand test.8. Precision and Bias8.1 PrecisionNo justifiable statement of precision is pos-sible since the results of this test method are wo
25、rd descriptionsrather than numerical values.8.2 BiasNo justifiable statement of accuracy is possiblesince a true value of consistency cannot be established by anaccepted reference sample.9. Keywords9.1 ball-in-hand; castable; consistency; mixing; refractory;water demand; wet-outFIG. 1 Example of a F
26、ive-Quart Mechanical MixerC860 102NOTEThis test shows a mix containing excess water.FIG. 2 Range in Consistency of Castable Mixes as Shown by Ball-in-Hand TestsNOTEThis test shows a mix containing insufficient water.FIG. 3 Range in Consistency of Castable Mixes as Shown by Ball-in-Hand TestsC860 103
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28、 entirely their own responsibility.This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years andif not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standar
29、dsand should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of theresponsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you shouldmake your views known to the ASTM Committ
30、ee on Standards, at the address shown below.This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the aboveaddress
31、or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or serviceastm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website(www.astm.org). Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the ASTM website (www.astm.org/COPYRIGHT/).NOTEThis test shows a mix having proper consistency.FIG. 4 Range in Consistency of Castable Mixes as Shown by Ball-in-Hand TestsC860 104
