Abstract
Fracture energy is one of important parameters in estimating the resistance of crack propagation for refractories. However, the effect of the dimension of a test specimen on the fracture energy has not been sufficiently studied. In the present study, effective fracture energy γeff of chamotte refractory was evaluated using WOF (work of fracture) technique, in order to investigate the relationship between the fracture energy and specimen dimension. The γeff was significantly dependent on specimen dimension and notch length. Larger specimen dimension and shorter relative notch length made the γeff increased. For instance, the γeff of the large specimen was approximately three times as large as that of the small specimen. To evaluate accurate γeff for the refractory, a specimen with ligament longer than a given length was required. The ligament length was discussed in relation to the size of a frontal process zone.
