Refractory Testing: Refractoriness under load (RUL) / Creep in compression (CIC), Modulus of Rupture (HMOR)
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Special strength-testing methods have been established for refractory ceramics, which are of a mostly heterogeneous composition. The Refractoriness under Load (RUL) and Creep in Compression (CIC) identify the deformation resistance of a test piece under a defined load and temperature/time factors. The modulus of rupture at high temperatures (HMOR) is determined with a hot modulus of rupture tester. These all conform to the pertinent instrument and applications standards, e.g. ISO 1893, ISO 3187, ISO 5013, DIN EN 993-7/8/9, DIN 51048, DIN 51053, DIN 51063, DIN 51046.
RUL/CIC 421
Apparatus for determining refractoriness under load
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Determination of refractoriness under load (RUL) and creep in compression (CIC) of refractory ceramics
Refractoriness under load (RUL, according to ISO 1893) is a measure of the deformation behavior of refractory ceramic products subjected to a constant load and increasing temperature. The temperature range in which the softening occurs is not identical with the melting range of the pure raw material; however it must be reliably determined with the RUL 421 to check the use of refractory products in high-temperature applications.
Creep in compression (CIC, according to ISO 3187) refers to the percent of shrinkage of a refractory test piece under a constant load and exposed to a constant high temperature over a long period of time. The creep in compression test is also carried out in the RUL 421 to a maximum temperature of 1700°C. With its sturdy design, the RUL 421 is well suited for these long-running thermal and mechanical loads.
The same test-piece dimensions of 50 mm in diameter and 50 mm in height are used for both the RUL and the CIC tests. For the high-precision differential measuring system for determination of the deformation, the cylindrical test piece has a co-axial bore of 12.5 mm.
Selection and application of the load on the test piece are reproducible and independent of the deformation through use of the hood-type furnace with counterweights.
By reducing the load on the test piece to negligible values (as compared to the surface of the test piece), precise dilatometer measurements on large and even inhomogeneous samples can be carried out in the RUL 421 at temperatures up to 1700°C.
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Key Technical Data
(subject to change)
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Temperature range:
RT to 1700°C -
Heating elements:
4 Kanthal-Super 1800 -
Heating- and cooling rates:
0,01 K/min to 5 K/min -
Sample holder:
Al2O3 -
Load:
1 N to 1000 N (in steps from 1 N to 100 N) -
Measuring range:
20000 µm -
Δl resolution:
5 nm -
Temperature measurement:
thermocouples (inner- and external temperature) -
Sample length:
50 mm -
Sample diameter:
50 mm -
Atmospheres:
air, static (protective gas inlet optionally available) -
Vacuumtight version
up to 10-2 mbar (special construction RUL/CIC 421 G)
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Schematic of gastight RUL/CIC 421?
Software
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The RUL/CIC 421 runs under Proteus® Software on Windows®. The Proteus® Software includes everything you need to carry out a measurement and evaluate the resulting data. Through the combination of easy-to-understand menus and automated routines, a tool has been created that is extremely user-friendly and, at the same time, allows sophisticated analysis. The Proteus® Software is licensed with the instrument and can of course be installed on other computer systems.
RUL/CIC analysis features:
- Plotting of the absolute or relative expansion/shrinkage curves
- Various correction options:
- correction of the system’s own expansion behavior with either a calibration measurement or sample holder correction
- offset correction
- Semi-automatic routines for determination of onset, peak and end temperatures
- Determination of softening points in accordance with DIN/ISO standards
- Automatic softening point detection
- Derivation of curves for determination of the temperature- or time-dependent linear expansion rates
- Expansion coefficients: calculation and graphic presentation of the technical and physical expansion coefficients
- Specific graphics and tabulated results for RUL and CIC
You can use the following software with this product:
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Accessories
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- Separating disks for inside measurements (with hole)
- Separating disks for outside measurements
- Protective cap for thermocouples
- Calibration test piece from Al2O3
- Vacuum pump for the gas-tight RUL/CIC 421 G
- Sample preparation machines (drilling machine with diamond chuck jaws, diamond sawing machine, precision grinding machine)
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