Designation: C 134 – 95 (Reapproved 2005)

Standard Test Methods for

Size, Dimensional Measurements, and Bulk Density of
Refractory Brick and Insulating Firebrick1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 134; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope C 830 Test Methods for Apparent Porosity, Liquid Absorp-

1.1 These test methods cover procedures for measuring size, tion, Apparent Specific Gravity, and Bulk Density of
dimensional measurement, bulk density, warpage, and square- Refractory Shapes by Vacuum Pressure
ness of rectangular dense refractory brick and rectangular C 914 Test Method for Bulk Density and Volume of Solid
insulating firebrick. More precise determination of bulk density Refractories by Wax Immersion
of refractory brick can be made by Test Methods C 20. Stack 3. Significance and Use
height is generally determined only for dense refractories.
3.1 Refractory brick are used as modular units in furnace
NOTE 1—Test Methods C 830 and Test Method C 914 are also used to construction and should not deviate significantly from the
determine bulk density of refractory brick, by different procedures.
intended configuration with respect to size, bulk density, flat
1.2 The test methods appear in the following order: surfaces, and right angles. These test methods are particularly
Sections suited for use under field conditions and provide a means to
Size and Bulk Density 4 through 7 determine whether the brick meets the requirements considered
Warpage of Refractory Brick 8 through 10
Squareness of Refractory Brick 11 through 14 necessary to assure a satisfactory refractory construction.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded SIZE AND BULK DENSITY
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only 4. Apparatus
and are not considered standard. 4.1 Rule, steel, hook, 12 in. (305 mm) in length, graduated
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the in 0.02-in. (0.5-mm) divisions, for use in measuring individual
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the brick. The rule has a rigid hardened steel hook consisting of a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- right-angled piece on one end to fix the zero point of the scale
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- against one face of the brick. The hook is about 1⁄4 in. (6 mm)
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. in width and extends about 1⁄4 in. beyond the back face or,
preferably, the edge of the rule.

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2. Referenced Documents 4.2 Rule, stiff steel, hook, 36 in. (914 mm) in length,
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 graduated from each end in 0.02-in. (0.5-mm) divisions, for use
C 20 Test Methods for Apparent Porosity, Water Absorp- in measuring stack height and the larger individual brick. The
tion, Apparent Specific Gravity, and Bulk Density of 36-in. rule has the same design as the 12-in (305-mm) rule.
Burned Refractory Brick and Shapes by Boiling Water
NOTE 2—Check the hook rules periodically to determine that they have
not become worn or distorted in use. Other measuring equipment may be
1 used, provided the results are at least as accurate as those obtained with
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C08 on
Refractories and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C08.03 on Physical
the hook rule.
Properties. 4.3 Weighing Scale, having a capacity of 20 lb (9 kg) or
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2005. Published December 2005. Originally
approved in 1938. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as C 134 – 95 (1999).
more and a sensitivity under load of at least 0.01 lb (4.5 g).
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM 5. Sampling
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 5.1 A sample consists of ten brick selected at random.
the ASTM website.

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 C 134 – 95 (2005)
5.2 Preparation of Specimens—Remove any blisters or fins WARPAGE OF REFRACTORY BRICK
from the specimens by lightly rubbing them together. Omit this
step in the case of insulating firebrick. 8. Apparatus
8.1 Steel Straightedge, stiff, having sufficient length to span
6. Procedure the diagonal of the largest shape to be measured, and graduated
6.1 Length and Width—Measure the length and width of in 0.02-in. (0.5-mm) divisions.
each of the ten specimens across the middle of each of the faces 8.2 Measuring Wedges, two, steel, 2.5-in. (64-mm) long by
of largest area to the nearest 0.02 in. (0.5 mm). Make and 0.5 in. (13 mm) wide by 0.5 in. thick at one end, and tapered
record the individual measurements of the two opposite faces from a line 0.5 in. from one end to zero thickness at the other
of each specimen. end. The wedge shall be graduated and numbered along the
slope to show the thickness of the wedge between base AB and
6.2 Thickness—Determine the thickness of insulating fire- slope AC in 0.02-in. (0.5-mm) divisions (Fig. 1).
brick and record in the same manner as the length and width, 8.2.1 Similar Wedges, of equivalent size and slope (that is,
as indicated in 6.1. Make the thickness measurements at the rising 1 mm vertically for each 4 mm horizontally), and
centers of the longer sides of the brick. Determine the thickness graduated along the slope to show the thickness of the wedge
of dense refractory brick in the same manner or, when required between base AB and the slope AC in SI units may be
by specification, calculate the average thickness from the stack employed in conjunction with a straightedge calibrated in SI
height determined as in 6.3. units.
6.3 Stack Height—Stack the ten specimens vertically on a
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plane surface with their faces of largest area together to form a 9. Procedure
smooth column, without regard to the position of any brand 9.1 Measuring a Concave Surface:
marks on the specimens. Measure the height of the stack to the 9.1.1 Measure and record the length of the diagonal of a
nearest 0.02 in. (0.5 mm) from the plane surface to the top of concave surface to the nearest 0.1 in. (3 mm) with the
the stack at the center of each side. Record the individual graduated straightedge. Place the straightedge across the di-
measurements of the four sides of the stack. agonal. Insert the wedge (Fig. 2) at the point of maximum
6.4 Weight—Dry at 230°F (110°C), cool, and weigh each of warpage, and record the maximum obtainable reading to the
the specimens to the nearest 0.01 lb (4.5 g), and record the nearest 0.02 in. (0.5 mm).
weight. 9.1.2 Repeat the procedure in 9.1.1 for the other diagonal.
9.2 Measuring a Convex Surface:
7. Calculation and Report 9.2.1 Measure and record the length of the diagonal of a
7.1 Size—Report the individual measurements and the cal- convex surface to the nearest 0.1 in. (3 mm) with a caliper or
culated average for the two individual measurements for hook rule. Place the straightedge across the diagonal, and insert
length, width, and thickness for each specimen. one wedge at each end of the straightedge (Fig. 3). Adjust the
wedges so that equal readings are obtained on each, making
7.2 Stack Height and Average Thickness—Report the indi-
certain that the straightedge is in contact with the brick surface
vidual measurements and the calculated stack height as the
at the point of maximum convexity. Record the reading to the
average of the individual measurements of the four sides of the
nearest 0.02 in. (0.5 mm).
stack if required. Report “average thickness by stack height” as
9.2.2 Repeat the procedure in 9.2.1 for the other diagonal.
the average stack height divided by ten. For bricks over 31⁄2 in.
9.2.3 Alternatively, set the shape on its convex surface, on a
(89 mm) in thickness, report the average thickness of the
plane surface, and insert one wedge at each end of a diagonal
individual specimens.
7.3 Bulk Density—Calculate and report the bulk density for
each specimen, using Eq 1 or Eq 2 as appropriate and the
average dimensions obtained in accordance with 7.1 and the
weight obtained in accordance with 6.4.
~lb/ft3!B 5 ~d 3 1728/l 3 w 3 t! (1)

or
B 5 ~d/l 3 w 3 t! (2)
NOTE—SI Equivalents (Dimensions are in inchs.)
where:
B = bulk density, lb/ft3(g/cc), in. mm
d = dry weight, lb (g),
0.5 13
l = length, in. (mm), 2.5 64
w = width, in. (mm), and
FIG. 1 Measuring Wedge
t = thickness, in. (mm).

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 C 134 – 95 (2005)
11.3 Measuring Wedge, steel, 2.5 in. (64 mm) long by 0.5
in. (13 mm) wide by 0.5 in. thick at one end, and tapered from
a line 0.5 in. at one end to zero thickness at the other end. The
wedge shall be graduated and numbered along the slope to
show the thickness of the wedge between base AB and slope
AC in 0.02 in. (0.5 mm) divisions (Fig. 1).

12. Procedure
FIG. 2 Method of Measuring Warpage of a Concave Surface 12.1 Place the test specimen on the metal plate so that it
rests securely on a width face (Fig. 5).
12.2 Abut the square at about midpoint of the long dimen-
sion.
12.3 Insert the steel wedge at the point of maximum
departure between the square and brick surface (Fig. 5).
12.4 Read and record the deviation to the nearest 0.02 in.
(0.5 mm).
12.5 Repeat the procedures in 12.2, 12.3, and 12.4 for the
opposite vertical face and each end.
FIG. 3 Method of Measuring Warpage of a Convex Surface 12.6 Reposition the specimen to rest securely on a thickness
face.
12.7 Repeat the procedures in 12.2, 12.3, and 12.4 for both
major vertical faces and each end.
until each wedge is in contact with the diagonal (Fig. 4). Adjust
until equal readings are obtained on each wedge, making 13. Report
certain that contact is maintained at the vertices of the diagonal
13.1 Report the following:
and at the point of maximum convexity. Record the reading to
13.1.1 Brick brand and nominal size.
the nearest 0.02 in. (0.5 mm).
13.1.2 Individual deviation obtained from each measured
9.2.4 Repeat the procedure in 9.2.3 for the other diagonal.
face for each specimen in the sampling.
10. Calculation and Report
14. Precision and Bias
10.1 Calculate the percent warpage for each of the diagonal
positions using Eq 3: 14.1 Precision:
14.1.1 Interlaboratory Test Program—An interlaboratory
W 5 ~R/D! 3 100 (3)
study was conducted by six laboratories on ten specimens
where: using two replications and two duplicate runs on the same
W = warpage, %, specimen. The specimens were stiff mud extruded and pressed
R = wedge reading, in. (mm), and super duty brick.
D = length of diagonal, in. (mm). 14.1.2 Repeatability—The maximum permissible difference
due to test error between two test results obtained by one
10.2 Consider the larger of the warpage figures as that of the operator on the same material is given by the repeatability
specimen. Report the warpage values for the individual speci- interval and the relative repeatability interval (coefficient of
mens to two significant figures. variation). The 95% repeatbility intervals are given in Table 1.
Two test results that do not differ by more than the repeatability
SQUARENESS OF REFRACTORY BRICK interval will be considered the same, and, conversely, two test
results that do differ by more than the repeatability interval will
11. Apparatus be considered different.
11.1 Metal Plate, 24 by 24 by 1-in. (610 by 610 by 25 mm) 14.1.3 Reproducibility—The maximum permissible differ-
thick, with one surface ground to a flatness of 60.005 in. (0.13 ence due to test error between two test results obtained by two
mm), or an equivalent abrasion-resistant flat surface. operators in different laboratories on the same type of material
11.2 Precision Square, 12 by 9 in. (305 by 229 mm). using the same type of test equipment is given by the
reproducibility interval and relative reproducibility interval
(coefficient of variation). The 95% reproducibility intervals are
given in Table 1. Two test results that do not differ by more
than the reproducibility interval will be considered the same
and, conversely, two test results that do differ by more than the
reproducibility interval will be considered different.
FIG. 4 Alternative Method of Measuring Warpage of a Convex
14.2 Bias—No justifiable bias statement is possible since
Surface the true values of the properties of the reference material are
not defined.
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 C 134 – 95 (2005)

A—Width face
B—Thickness face
C—End face
FIG. 5 Method of Measuring Squareness

TABLE 1 Precision Statistics

Precision Data Relative Precision Data

Attribute Average, Std. Std. Deviation Repeat- Reproduc- Within Between Relative Relative
in. Deviation between ability ibility Lab Vr Lab VR Repeatability, Reproducibility,
within Lab SR Interval Interval R %r %R
Lab Sr
Length 8.941 0.007 0.01 0.017 0.028 0.072 0.11 0.199 0.308
Width 4.356 0.007 0.011 0.017 0.027 0.135 0.227 0.38 0.631
Thickness 2.96 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.020 0.25 0.56 0.69
Diagonal Warpage 0.265 0.079 0.124 0.22 0.348 30.099 52.529 84.277 147.08
Squareness of Width 0.022 0.011 0.015 0.035 0.043 69.39 84.731 194.29 237.247
Squareness Max 0.04 0.018 0.019 0.053 0.056 50.043 53.23 140.121 149.045
Deviation Midpoint of
Length
Squareness Max 0.032 0.012 0.012 0.032 0.039 36.413 44.168 101.96 123.67
Deviation Midpoint of
Thickness
Squareness Max 0.034 0.01 0.011 0.027 0.034 29.549 36.674 82.736 99.89
Deviation Midpoint of
Width
10 High Stack Oriented 29.83 0.02 0.04 0.04 0.1 0.05 0.12 0.14 0.35
10 High Stack Random 29.83 0.02 0.03 0.06 0.9 0.07 0.11 0.19 0.30
Bulk Density Pounds 138.036 0.427 0.729 1.196 2.046 0.31 0.529 0.866 1.482
per Cubic Foot

15. Keywords
15.1 bulk density; dimension; insulating firebrick; refracto-

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ries; size; squareness; warpage

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