Experimental procedure for the mechanical evaluation of oxide-carbon refractories by strain measurement

Abstract

Experimental issues regarding the implementation of a methodology for obtaining strain-stress curves at high temperatures and in a controlled atmosphere of oxide-C refractories are presented. These curves give a detailed description of the material’s mechanical behavior that is not attainable using conventional tests. The method to measure the specimen strain by contact extensometry and the system to control the atmosphere by a gas flow are described. As an example, the experimental study of commercial Al2O3-MgO-C refractory bricks used in steel ladles at high temperature (1260 °C) in both air and N2 atmospheres is presented showing the valuable information obtained applying strain-stress measurements.