Shaped Refractory Products——Determination of Modulus of Rupture at Ambient Temperature

1 Scope This standard specifies a method for the determination of the modulus of rupture of dense and insulating shaped refractory products at ambient temperature, under conditions of a constant rate of increase of stress.

Assessment of flexural properties of different grade dimension lumber by ultrasonic technique

The dimension lumber （45mm×90mm×3700mm） of plantation Chinese fir （Cunninghamia lanceolata （Lamb.） Hook.） was graded to four different classes as SS, No. 1, No.2 and No.3, according to national lumber grades authority （NLGA） for structure light framing and structure joists and planks. The properties of apparent density was determined at 15% moisture content, bending strength and stiffness were tested according to American Society for Testing and Materials （ASTM） D198-99, and dynamic modulus of elasticity （Eusw） was measured by ultrasonic technique, for predicting the flexural properties of different grade lumbers. The results showed that Eosw was larger than the static MOE. The relationship between Eusw and static MOE was significant at 0.01 level, and the determination coefficients （R2） of the four grade lumbers followed the sequence as R^2No.2 （0.616）〉 R^2ss （0.567）〉 R^2No1 （0.366）〉 R^2No.3 （0.137）. The R^2 of Fusw and MOR were lower than that of the Etru and MOR for each grade. The Eusw of all the grade lumbers, except No.3-grade, had significant correlation with the static MOE and MOR, thus the bending strengthof those grade lumbers can be estimated by the E The Etru valuesof four grade lumbers followed a sequence as No.2-grade （10.701 GPa） 〉 SS-grade （10.359 GPa） 〉 No.l-grade （9.840 GPa） 〉 No.3-grade （9.554 GPa）. For the same grade dimension lumber, its Eusw value was larger than static MOE. Mean values of MOR for four grade lumbers follow a sequence as No.2-grade （48.67 MPa） 〉 SS-grade （48.16 MPa） 〉 No.3-grade （46.55 MPa） 〉 No. 1-grade （43.39MPa）.

Effect of B_4C on Oxidation Resistance of Low-Carbon MgO-C Materials

B4C was added into the low-carbon MgO-C materials in order to improve the oxidation resistance. The results show adding 0. 3wt% B4C can get the best oxidation resistance and adding 0. 2 wt% B4C can get the highest hot modulus of rupture. Altogether, adding 0. 2wt% B,C into the low-carbon MgO-C materials can get better oxidation resistance and hot strength.

Study on the Effect of Two-Step Saturated Steam Heat Treatment Process on the Properties of Reconstituted Bamboo

With the aim of utilizing reconstituted bamboo as a carbon cycle oriented material,the improvement of physical and mechanical properties has been actively studied to solve using problems The saturated steam heat treatment process has been widely used in worldwide.With the development and exploration of this technology,two step satu-rated steam heat treatment process appears in some practical production,that is,affer a period of saturated steam heat treatment at a lower temperature,the bamboo bundles are taken out and seasoned for a period of time,and then put back into the heat tank again,and heated at a higher temperature for another period of time.During the two-step saturated steam heat treatment,the physical and mechanical properties of bamboo changed.However,the mechanism of two step saturated steam heat treatment has not been thoroughly discussed.For purpose that this paper all discuss and find out the mechanism of two step saturated steam heat treatment on the change of physical and mechanical properties of reconstituted bamboo.In this work,the one and two step saturated steam heat treat-ments were carried out according to the actual production parameters,and the physical and mechanical properties of the reconstituted bamboo board made of treated bamboo bundles were analyzed,including the color change,the thickness swelling(TS),modulus of elasticity(MOE),modulus of rupture(MOR)and shear strength.The results indicate that two-step saturated steam heat treatment is better than one step.Based on the detailed study of the chemical composition,crytalinity and micro morphologial characteristics of the heated bamboo bundles,it is further revealed that during two-step saturated steam heat treatment,oxygen air is added to the reaction system between the two heat treatment processes to further catalyze the oxidation of hemicellulose and enhance the crystal-linity of cellulose,so as to improve the properties of the final products.Our work has optimized the saturated steam heat treatment process which is widely used in industry,pointing out a new idea in the experimental and theoretical basis for the development of recombinant bamboo manufacturing industry.

Development of Reproducing Alumina-Magnesia-Carbon Bricks

The reproducing alumina-magnesia-carbon bricks were prepared with the dumped bricks as starting materials. The bulk density, apparent porosity, crushing strength, modolus of rupture and slag resistance of the specimen were analyzed. The results show that the used refractories can be reused and recycled by the right method. The reproducing alumina-magnesia-carbon bricks with better abilities were prepared.

Effect of genetic sources on anatomical, morphological,and mechanical properties of 14-year-old genetically improved loblolly pine families from two sites in the southern United States

Tree improvement programs on loblolly pine(Pinus taeda) in the southeastern USA has focused primarily on improving growth, form, and disease tolerance.However, due to the recent reduction of design values for visually graded southern yellow pine lumber(including loblolly pine), attention has been drawn to the material quality of genetically improved loblolly pine. In this study,we used the time-of-flight(TOF) acoustic tool to assess the effect of genetic families on diameter, slenderness, fiber length, microfibril angle(MFA), velocity and dynamic stiffness estimated using green density(DMOEG) and basic density(DMOEB) of 14-year-old loblolly pine stands selected from two sites. All the 184 and 204 trees of the selected eight half-sib genetic families on sites 1 and 2 respectively were tested using TOF acoustic tool, and two 5 mm core samples taken at breast height level(1.3 m)used to for the anatomical and physical properties analysis.The results indicated a significant positive linear relationship between dynamic MOEs(DMOEGand DMOEB)versus tree diameter, slenderness, and fiber length while dynamic MOEs negatively but nonsignificant correlated with MFA. While there was no significant difference in DMOEBbetween sites; velocity 2 for site 1 was significantly higher than site 2 but DMOEGwas higher for site 2 than site 1. Again, the mean DMOEGand DMOEBreported in the present study presents a snapshot of the expected static MOE for green and 12% moisture conditions respectively for loblolly pine. Furthermore, there were significant differences between families for most of the traits measured and this suggests that forest managers have the opportunity to select families that exhibit the desired fiber morphology for final product performance. Lastly,since the dynamic MOE based on green density(DMOEG),basic density(DMOEB) and velocity 2 present difference conclusions, practitioners of this type of acoustic technique should take care when extrapolating results across the sites.

Effect of Mild-calcined Coal Gangue Additionon Hot Strength and Refractoriness Under Loadof Ultra Low Cement Castablesin Al_2O_3-SiO_2 System

This work explored the way to improve hot modulus q/＇ rupture （HMOR） and refractoriness under load （RUL） by adding mild-calcined coal gangue （MCG） in Al2O3 -SiO2 ultra low cement （ULC） castables, making use of the in-situ effect of the MCG during heating-up. The influence of respective additions of 5%, 10% and 1.5% of the MCG powders calcined at 700℃ was investigated on HMOR at 1400 ℃ and RUL of the castables. With increased addition of the MCG, HMOR and RUL become significantly enhanced. At 10% of the MCG addition, HMOR reaches 3 MPa, as compared to 0. 3 MPa in the case of no MCG addition. RUL of the specimens dried at 110 ℃for 24 h can be increased by some 270 ℃ with 10% of the MCG addition. RUL 0.11 the specimens preheated at 1 500℃ for 3 h maintains the growth trend with the MCG addition increasing. The microstructure of the heated castable samples was investigated by means of SEM. The in-situ formed needle-like and interlaced mullite in the matrix is contributive to the tmprovement.

Fractal Analysis of Fracture Surfaces in Refractories

Fractal analysis of fracture surfaces in different kinds of refractories including magnesia-carbon and magnesia-chrome refractories was investigated.The fractal dimensions of fracture surfaces for three points bending test were determined by slit island method.The results show that the cold modulus of rupture increases with fractal dimension increasing due to the change in fracture mode depending on the bonding mechanism for a certain refractory material.

Influence of Glass Dust on Properties of Alumina-carbon Refractories

In order to improve the properties of alumina-carbon refractories,specimens were prepared using white fused corundum,zirconia-mullite and flake graphite as the raw materials,phenolic resin as the binder,adding different mass fractions(1.5%,2.0%,and 2.5%,respectively)of glass dust,cold isostatic pressing by 120 MPa,drying and firing at 900℃for 3 h.Effects of the glass dust addition on the apparent porosity,bulk density,cold modulus of rupture,hot modulus of rupture and thermal shock resistance were studied.The results show that the cold modulus of rupture of the specimens is improved significantly as the results of glass dust accelerating sintering.However,the hot modulus of rupture decreases.As the glass phase buffers the strain produced by thermal shock,the thermal shock resistance of alumina-carbon specimens is improved,especially for low carbon alumina-carbon materials.

Comparison of Compressive and Tensile Strength of Baked Clay with Those of Normal Concrete

Due to high cost of aggregates, cement and steel in plain regions of Pakistan, low income people are unable to get their houses constructed using Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC). In this study, potential of baked clay as an economical material of building construction is investigated in order to replace normal concrete. For this purpose, compressive strength and tensile strength of baked clay fired at 1000℃ were determined. The results show that the compressive strength and tensile strength of baked clay are about 65%, and 80% more than those of corresponding values of normal concrete, respectively. This implies that by utilizing reinforced baked clay instead of RCC, saving of cement aggregates and reinforcing steel could be achieved.

Mechanical Properties of Terminalia catappa from Ghana

Ghana is rich in forest resources, of whichTerminalia catappa, a wood species of common occurrence is one. Even though sometimes it is used for decorative purposes, however, it grows in the wild. It grows in almost all the regions of the country and does well in the tropics. The parts of the tree such as the leaves, fruits and seeds have been known to be very useful for medicinal and other uses. Some work on the strength properties of the leaves and other parts has also been done, however, strength properties of the wood are yet to be explored. In this study, its mechanical properties such as bending strength, compression parallel to the grain, and shear parallel to the grain properties were determined. The British (BS 373, 1957) and American Society of Testing Materials’ specifications (ASTM D143, 1983) using testing methods for small, clear specimens of wood were used in determining the properties. The results showed that at 18% moisture content the wood has a density of 520 kg/m3 with a mean modulus of rupture of 86.04 Mpa, compressive strength parallel to the grain of 42.02 Mpa, modulus of elasticity of 10,500 Mpa, and shear strength parallel to the grain of 16.42 N/mm2. These strength properties are comparable to that of Strombosia glaucescens. Therefore, T. catappa can be used in applications where this species is used.

Suitability of Large Sized Compacted Baked Clay Blocks as a Walling Material

Some disadvantages associated with conventional brick masonry are: high cost of construction, lower compressive strength and less durability. In order to resolve these problems, a new technique of constructing walls using large size baked clay blocks is introduced. For this purpose, clay blocks of size 150 mm × 300 mm × 1980 mm were cast at a pressure of 6 MPa, and fired at a temperature of 700℃. In this paper, compressive strength and tensile strength of baked clay were investigated in order to find its suitability as a walling material for low cost houses. Cubes of 150 mm sides were tested in compression and the beams were tested in flexure. The results showed that compressive strength of baked clay cubes was found to be 10 MPa and tensile strength, in terms of modulus of rupture, was found to be 2.3 MPa. Since the baked clay blocks are larger in size than traditional bricks, it is inferred that the blocks could be used as a cheaper and stronger walling material.

Effect of ferrotitanium slag on microstructure and properties of Al_(2)O_(3)-SiC-C castables for iron runner

Ferrotitanium slag(FS)is a waste slag produced during the smelting of ferrotitanium alloys by thermite reduction.Its alumina content is high and can be used as alumina raw material.Iron runner castables containing different amounts of FS were prepared and characterized.The results show that the introduction of FS is beneficial to the sintering of the castables sample.When the FS concentration is 11.2 wt.%,the aggregate and matrix of the castables sample have a good combination,and the mechanical strength of the Al_(2)O_(3)–SiC–C castable reaches a maximum at room temperature.However,excessive introduction of FS generates a large amount of anorthite phase,which reduces the mechanical strength of the Al_(2)O_(3)–SiC–C castable at room temperature.In addition,the high-melting phase CaTiO_(3)is formed in FS,which has good mechanical properties.Meanwhile,the cracks of FS are reduced,and the combination between phases is closer,thus significantly improving the hot modulus of rupture of the castable.When the FS concentration is not above 33.6 wt.%,the castables show good slag resistance.The TiO_(2)in FS is transformed into TiC by carbothermal reaction,which is enriched at the boundary and prevents further reaction of the slag.

Ultra-High Strength Concrete Mixtures Using Local Materials

This paper presents the development of ultra high strength concrete （UHSC） using local materials. UHSC mixture proportions were developed using local materials so that UHSC may be made more affordable to a wider variety of applications. Specifically, local sand with a top size of 600 um, and locally available Type I/II cement and silica fume were used in this research. Each of these material selections is seen as an improvement in sustainability for UHSC. Two mixtures （one with and one without fibers） were recommended as the UHSC mixtures. The greatest compressive strengths obtained in this study were 165.6 MPa for UHSC with steel fibers and 161.9 MPa for UHSC without fibers. The compressive and flexural strengths obtained from the UHSC mixtures developed in this work are comparable to UHSC strengths presented in the literature. Producing this innovative material with local materials reduces the cost of the material, improves sustainability, and produces mechanical performance similar to prepackaged, commercially available products.