Wedge-Splitting Test on Carbon-Containing Refractories at High Temperatures

Abstract

The mode I fracture behavior of ordinary refractory materials is usually tested with the wedge-splitting test. At elevated temperatures, the optical displacement measurement is difficult because of the convection in the furnace and possible reactions of refractory components with the ambient atmosphere. The present paper introduces a newly developed testing device, which is able to perform such experiments up to 1500 • C. For the testing of carbon-containing refractories a gas purging, for example, with argon, is possible. Laser speckle extensometers are applied for the displacement measurement. A carbon-containing magnesia refractory (MgO-C) was selected for a case study. Based on the results obtained from tests, fracture mechanical parameters such as the specific fracture energy and the nominal notch tensile strength were calculated. An inverse simulation procedure applying the finite element method yields tensile strength, the total specific fracture energy, and the strain-softening behavior. Additionally, the creep behavior was also considered for the evaluation.

Special Issue on Fatigue and Fracture of Non-Metallic Materials and Structures

“…Papers [1][2][3][4][5] are related to concrete material, from papers [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] to rocks. Other contributions investigate the fracture behavior of functionally graded materials [13], glass [14], laminate composites [15], refractories [16], and soft matter [17]. Concrete material is also investigated in relation to impact resistance [18] and self-healing properties [19].…”

On the effect of sintering temperature on the fracture energy of an Alumina-Mullite-Zirconia castable at 600 °C

“…Brisson et al [38] tested the addition of andalusite in the refractory composition with WST at 1200°C and 1400°C. Very recently, silica refractories were tested with WSTs up to 1100°C [39] and MgO-C refractories up to 1470°C [40].…”