Response of Refractory Cement Based Composite to Gradual Temperature Loading

This paper deals with the experimental study of the response of refractory concrete mixture to gradual thermal loading, up to 1000 °C. A binding system based on calcium aluminate cement (CAC) modified by the partial replacement of metakaolin was used. Short ceramic fibers were applied in a dose of 4% by volume in the studied mixture. Material transformations due to thermal loading were monitored in terms of residual mechanical, fracture and basic physical properties-compressive strength, flexural strength, fracture energy, dynamic modulus of elasticity, and bulk density in the study. The results obtained corresponded well with the mineral transformations monitored using the thermogravimetric analysis performed on the binder paste. Residual values of compressive and flexural strength were approximately 40% of the initial values after exposure to a temperature of 1000°C; however, the dominant part of the total loss was monitored up to 400°C, due to decomposition of the hydrates. Fiber employment contributed considerably to the resistance against thermal loading up to 400°C, which was demonstrated by the fracture energy results (a loss of 25% was monitored). An additional increase of the temperature load led to micro crack propagation, which was obvious in the results of dynamic modulus of elasticity determination, in which the short fiber incorporation was noticeably limited.