Refractories are “nonmetallic materials having those chemical and physical properties that make them applicable for structures, or as components of systems, that are exposed to environments above 1000 degrees F (538 degrees C),” as defined in ASTM C 71, Standard Terminology Relating to Refractories.

New from ASTM, C 1446, Standard Test Method for Measuring Consistency and Working Time of Self-Flowing Castable Refractories will assist those involved in R&D, quality assurance, construction, and installation of castable refractories used in steel, non-ferrous, and cement manufacture, power generation, and heat treatment.

C 1446 applies to self-leveling cast monolithic refractories which do not require vibration or other energy to flow easily into complex molds to form an integral structure. “It provides a standard method for characterizing this new type of castable refractory that has been developed in the last 10 years,” says Robert McConnell, applications and product development manager, Refractories Division, Alcoa Industrial Chemicals, Bauxite, Ariz.

McConnell led a task group of industry suppliers and manufacturers of castable refractories who developed the standard under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee C08.09 on Monolithic Refractories, in Committee C08 on Refractories.

For further technical information, contact Robert McConnell, Applications and Product Development Manager - Refractories, Alcoa Industrial Chemicals, Bauxite, AZ 72011. Committee C08 meets October 19 at the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nev. (702/731-3311). For details, contact manager Felicia Quinzi, ASTM (610/832-9738;). //

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