4.1 When coke lumps descend in the blast furnace, they are subjected to reaction with countercurrent CO₂ and to abrasion as they rub together and against the walls of the furnace. These concurrent processes physically weaken and chemically react with the coke lumps, producing an excess of fines that can decrease burden permeability and result in increased coke rates and lost hot metal production. This test method is designed to measure indirectly this behavior of coke in the blast furnace.

1.1 This test method, patterned after the Nippon Steel test procedure (see Carbonization Research Report 91 and Nishi et al.2), describes the equipment and techniques used for determining lump coke reactivity in carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas at elevated temperatures and its strength after reaction in CO₂ gas by tumbling in a cylindrical chamber referred to as an I-tester.

1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.

1.3 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.