Cold crushing strength: the load per unit area at which a refractory sample crushes at room temperature, measured under ASTM C133 or ISO standards along with cold modulus of rupture. Castables are tested after drying at 110 C and after firing at service-like temperatures. CCS is a good check on mixing, water and curing quality, but says little about behavior at high temperature.
Site cubes came back with CCS at half the data sheet value, somebody added way too much water.
Make site test pieces from the actual mix on the day. Data sheet strengths are lab-perfect and the job never is.
Also heard as
- cold crushing strength
- crushing strength
Related terms
HMOR
Hot modulus of rupture: the bending strength of a refractory measured at high temperature.
Bulk density
Mass of a refractory divided by its total volume including pores, a quick check on quality and compaction.
Apparent porosity
Share of a refractory's volume made up of open pores that liquids and gases can penetrate.
Castable
Dry refractory mix of aggregate, fines and binder that is mixed with water and poured or pumped like concrete.