Tensile behaviour of magnesia carbon refractories

The determination of the Young's modulus and the tensile strength of hetero geneous refractories are the subjects of this paper. Great differences have been observed for a similar material according to both the usual tests per formed and the interpretation proposed to define these properties. The caus es of the discrepancies of the Young's modulus under compression and tensil e loading are examined in detail. Then, it is shown that (i) the accuracy m easurement of the deflexion in the bend test with a particular device and ( ii) the integration of the shearing distorsion in the calculation of the de flexion by the classical beam theory, allow for finding the appropriate val ue of the Young's modulus. The classical definition of the modulus of ruptu re (M.O.R.) is also examined. Considering a nonlinear behaviour of the refr actory, it is shown by finite element analysis of the beam, that the M.O.R. overestimates the tensile strength. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rig hts reserved.