The heat of hydration of a calcium aluminate based castable is liberated over a short period of time (as compared to Portland cement). This makes it easy to measure the heat profile using off-the-shelf thermocouple equipment.

The heat profile can be used to make inferences about the setting and strength gain behavior of a castable and sometimes the working time of a castable.

Factors that should be controlled when comparing two castables include: size, shape and mass of cast object, start temperature of the mix, temperature of environment, and the thermal conductivity of the environment. If these factors are held constant, then the two castables heat profiles can be compared.

The amount of heat rise created by the castable shall be a minimum of 5°F. If this is not achieved, then either a larger sample or better insulation (or both) should be used to increase the measurable heat release.

Varying the amount of cement in the castable, the amount of water, the type and quantity of admixtures, and so forth, will change the shape, maximum temperature and time to maximum temperature of the curve.

Following is an example of a curve generated for an LCC (see Fig. 1) that does exhibit two peaks, the first one marking the end of working time. In this curve one could also infer that the start temperature of the mix was 24°C and also that the hydraulic strength gain reaction was significantly started, but not completed by 6 h.

FIG. 1 Example of LCC Exo Profile

1.1 This guide applies to all castables with a reactive binder system that produces a measurable heat profile during the setting and hardening process. The majority of these systems will have calcium aluminate cement as one component of the binder system.

1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.