RUL and CIC 421 Refractory Testing Instrument

Description

The NETZSCH RUL/CIC 421 is an instrument for evaluating the high-temperature performance of refractory materials through two standardized tests. It performs refractoriness under load (RUL) testing per ISO 1893, which measures the deformation of a refractory specimen under a constant mechanical load as temperature increases. This test determines the softening temperature range, a critical parameter for assessing material suitability in high-temperature applications. The instrument also conducts creep in compression (CIC) testing according to ISO 3187, which measures the long-term shrinkage of a specimen under constant load and temperature, up to a maximum of 1700°C. Both tests utilize a cylindrical test piece with dimensions of 50 mm in diameter and 50 mm in height, featuring a coaxial 12.5 mm bore for a high-precision differential deformation measurement system. A hood-type furnace with a counterweight system applies a reproducible load that is independent of specimen deformation. The robust construction of the RUL 421 is intended to withstand prolonged thermal and mechanical stress. The instrument offers a temperature range from room temperature to 1700°C, with heating and cooling rates adjustable from 0.01 K/min to 20 K/min and 0.01 K/min to 5 K/min, respectively. Its design also allows for precise dilatometer measurements on large or inhomogeneous samples by minimizing the applied load relative to the sample surface area.