Example for the case of refractories

Use of SonicByte^TM for estimating the physical and mechanical properties of refractories

Three refractory bricks of different types were considered as references: (1) - A magnesia brick with 95% MgO (Type A), (2) - A magnesia-chrome brick with 60% MgO (Type B) and (3) - An alumino-silicate brick with 50 % Al₂O₃ (Type C).

The resonance frequency of these three bricks was first measured under flexural mode using the SonicByte^TM. Their modulus of rupture (MOR), their cold crushing strength (CCS) as well as their apparent porosity were then measured according to the ASTM standard procedures. The obtained results have been used to calibrate the SonicByte^TM.

For each of the three same types of bricks, four other bricks were tested with SonicByte^TM for estimating their MOR, their CCS as well as their apparent porosity from their flexural resonance frequency. These same properties were finally measured on these bricks according to the ASTM standard procedures to verify the precision of the estimated values.

Based on the results shown on Figures 1, 2 and 3, it could had been concluded that SonicBye^TM allows the estimation of the physical and mechanical properties of refractory bricks with a precision varying between 96 to 99%.

 Fig. 1: Measured MOR .VS. Estimated MOR.

 Fig. 2: Measured CCS .VS. Estimated CCS.

Fig. 3: Measured apparent porosity .VS. Estimated apparent porosity.