Abstract
A complete stress-strain curve for brittle materials cannot be obtained with conventional testing machines because of their low stiffness and difficulty in strain-control. In this paper, the deformation and failure behavior of refractories for use in blast furnace under strain-controlled uniaxial compression measured with a stiff testing machine is discussed.
It was found that the refractories retain some strength and still have appreciable elasticity even after the maximum stress is reached. Fireclay brick shows anisotropy with regard to the stress-strain curve. It has good deformability and superior resistance to failure under thermal stress applied parallel to the direction of press forming. Carbon brick fractures with little deformation after the maximum stress is applied. At temperatures above 800°C, fireclay brick exhibits visco-elastic behavior, which is substantially explained by the Burgers model.
