1、Designation: C860 10C860 15Standard 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 revisi
2、on, 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
3、 covers the procedures for determining the consistency of a castable using the Ball-in-Hand Test. Theamount of water used in a castable has a significant influence on its performance.1.2 This test method applies to regular weight castable refractories and insulating castable refractories which that
4、are describedin Classification C401. It also applies to such castables containing metal fibers.1.3 This test method is not intended to determine the proper consistency for gunning, pumping, or self flow applications.1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values
5、 given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibilityof this standard to establish approp
6、riate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations priorto use. (See 6.2.3 for a specific safety warning.)2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C401 Classification of Alumina and Alumina-Silicate Castable Refractories3. Significance and Use3.1 This test
7、method is used primarily to determine if a freshly mixed refractory castable is of the proper consistency andtherefore would most likely to provide optimum performance. There are times when the manufacturers specified water contentand consistency will purposely not lead to the correct ball in hand b
8、ut should be used to provide optimum performance. It Contactthe manufacturer when in doubt. This test method can also be used to estimate the correct water addition rate of a castable wheneither the manufacturers specified water content is not available or when unique circumstances have rendered tha
9、t recommen-dation unusable.3.2 The correct water content is an important factor that must be controlled to obtain optimum castable performance. Excesswater can reduce strength, increase volume shrinkage, and promote segregation of the castable ingredients. Insufficient water canproduce “honeycombs”
10、(air voids) in the castable because of the insufficient mobility during placement and in extreme cases canprevent the complete hydration of the cement (if used).3.3 The Ball-in-Hand test is subjective and somewhat depends on the skill of the operator. However, it is a universally accessiblemethod du
11、e to the simplicity of the equipment required, and it is readily used in the field.3.4 The total wet mixing time of a castable influences the rheological and final properties and therefore should be monitored.3.5 This test method can be performed in a laboratory or on a job site.3.6 This test method
12、 is not intended to determine the proper consistency for gunning applications, although it may provideinformation of value for interpretation by a skilled operator.1 This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C08 on Refractories and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C08.
13、09 on Monolithics.Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2010Oct. 1, 2015. Published December 2010 December 2015. Originally approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 20052010as C86000 (2005). DOI: 10.1520/C0860-10. 10. DOI: 10.1520/C0860-15.2 For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website,
14、 www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standardsvolume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page on the ASTM website.This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of
15、 what changes have been made to the previous version. Becauseit may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current versionof the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered
16、 the official document.Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States14. Apparatus4.1 Castable MixerEither a manually or electrically operated mechanical mixer (see Fig. 1) may be used to prepare batchesfor consistency determination
17、in a laboratory. Wet castable may also be obtained while in the field from the mixer being used forinstallation.4.2 Heavy Rubber Gloves, for castables containing metal fibers.4.3 Clock or Watch, with a readability of 1 s.5. Sampling5.1 A representative handful of freshly mixed castable should be dra
18、wn from the center of the mixer while the mixer is notrunning.6. Procedure6.1 Preparation of Castable:6.1.1 Load the mixer with dry castable to an appropriate level so as to allow proper mixing action by the mixer but not so muchas to cause dry or wet castable to splash out of the mixer.6.1.1.1 The
19、amount of water required to reach the consistency specified in 6.2 increases as the dry volume loading of a mixerdrops below 40 % of its capacity. This occurs because the percentage of the total water required to wet the mixer surfaces increaseswith decreased volume loading.6.1.2 Dry mix the castabl
20、e for the manufacturers recommended dry mixing time or until the castable appears to be fully mixed.6.1.3 Start the mixer and note the time. Add 90 % of the estimated water requirement over a period of 30 s. If a water contentspecified by the manufacturer is available, it should be used to calculate
21、 this amount. Then add additional water in small amountsand continue mixing until the batch appears to have the desired ball-in-hand consistency specified in 6.2. Some castables requirea minimum amount of mixing time to wet out. Do not add additional water until sufficient time for wet out has occur
22、red. Followthe manufacturers recommendations for minimum mixing time.6.1.3.1 The moisture content of lightweight, porous aggregates can affect the water demand of a castable. Dry aggregates canchange the consistency of a castable after mixing is completed by absorbing the mixing water into its pores
23、. This can causepremature stiffening and poor consolidation of the castable.6.1.4 The total mixing time, including water additions, shall be in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations. If norecommendations are given, use the following guidelines: 3 min for dense castables, 5 min for insula
24、ting castables, 4 to 6 min formixes needing heavy vibration, and at least 5 min for castables containing deflocculating admixtures (to allow for wet-out), suchas low cement castables (LCC) or ultra-low cement castables (ULCC).6.2 Ball-in-Hand Test:6.2.1 Prepare the castable in accordance with 6.1.6.
25、2.2 While the mixer is off, remove a handful of castable from the center of the mixer.6.2.3 Form a fist-sized compact ball of the mix with the hands (see Figs. 2-4). Toss it upward about 1 ft (300 mm), and catchit in one hand with the fingers spread slightly apart. The proper consistency and variati
26、ons are illustrated in Figs. 2-4. (WarningIf the castable contains metal fibers, the operator must wear a heavy rubber glove to prevent the needles from cutting or otherwiseinjuring his hand.)FIG. 1 Example of a Five-Quart Mechanical MixerC860 1527. Report7.1 Report the following information:7.1.1 T
27、he type of mixer used to prepare the test batch,7.1.2 Environmental conditions such as ambient temperature and water quality,7.1.3 The total mixing time, and7.1.4 The consistency of the castable as observed by the Ball-in-Hand test.8. Precision and Bias8.1 PrecisionNo justifiable statement of precis
28、ion is possible since the results of this test method are word descriptions ratherthan numerical values.8.2 BiasNo justifiable statement of accuracy is possible since a true value of consistency cannot be established by an acceptedreference sample.9. Keywords9.1 ball-in-hand; castable; consistency;
29、mixing; refractory; water demand; wet-outNOTE 1This testfigure shows a mixcastable containing excess water. The ball will be greatly deformed and nearly flat with castable flowing betweenthe fingers.FIG. 2 Range in Consistency of Castable Mixes as Shown by Ball-in-Hand TestsC860 153NOTE 1This testfi
30、gure shows a mixcastable containing insufficient water. The ball may be slightly deformed with no castable flowing between thefingersFIG. 3 Range in Consistency of Castable Mixes as Shown by Ball-in-Hand TestsNOTE 1This testfigure shows a mixcastable having proper consistency. The ball will be somew
31、hat deformed with castable slightly flowing betweenthe fingers.FIG. 4 Range in Consistency of Castable Mixes as Shown by Ball-in-Hand TestsC860 154ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentionedin this standard. Users o
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