The Rate of Creep at Elevated Temperatures of Four Sillimanite Tank Blocks

JSGT 1946 V30 T005-T012

As a guide to the possible behaviour of commercial sillimanite tank blocks under industrial conditions, the rate of elongation under load at high temperatures was investigated using specimens taken from four tank blocks designated A, B, C and D. The tests were carried out at 1400° and 1450°, and the rates of elongation were correlated with the texture, apparent porosity and corrosion resistance of the different blocks. The texture of blocks A and D was superior to that of blocks B and C. In keeping with this fact, the value of the apparent porosity was approximately 4% lower for blocks A and D than for the two other blocks. Corrosion proved that block C was inferior and block A superior to the other blocks. In the creep tests only block A withstood a load of 500 gm. per sq. cm. for 100 h at 1450°. Earlier findings by J. H. Partridge were confirmed that the creep test is a useful means of assessing the durability of refractory materials.

James Boow & G. E. Walker