Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

AS 1617.1

Part 1: Fireclay
Australian Standard™

Refractory bricks and shapes

Reconfirmed 2013
AS 1617.1—2003
 This Australian Standard was prepared by Committee MN-007, Refractories and
Refractory Materials. It was approved on behalf of the Council of Standards
Australia on 14 March 2003 and published on 25 March 2003.

The following are represented on Committee MN-007:

Australian Ceramic Society
Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
Australian Aluminium Council
Bureau of Steel Manufacturers of Australia
CSIRO—Manufacturing and Infrastructure Technology
Institute of Refractories Engineers
Refractories Manufactur
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

Keeping Standards up-to-date

Standards are living documents which reflect progress in science, technology and
systems. To maintain their currency, all Standards are periodically reviewed, and
new editions are published. Between editions, amendments may be issued.
Standards may also be withdrawn. It is important that readers assure themselves
they are using a current Standard, which should include any amendments which
may have been published since the Standard was purchased.
Detailed information about Standards can be found by visiting the Standards
Australia web site at www.standards.com.au and looking up the relevant Standard
in the on-line catalogue.
Alternatively, the printed Catalogue provides information current at 1 January each
year, and the monthly magazine, The Australian Standard, has a full listing of
revisions and amendments published each month.
We also welcome suggestions for improvement in our Standards, and especially
encourage readers to notify us immediately of any apparent inaccuracies or
ambiguities. Contact us via email at [email protected], or write to the Chief
Executive, Standards Australia International Ltd, GPO Box 5420, Sydney, NSW
2001.

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 02455.

 AS 1617.1—2003 (Reconfirmed) 2013-07-08

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

RECONFIRMATION
OF
AS 1617.1—2003
Refractory bricks and shapes
Part 1: Fireclay

RECONFIRMATION NOTICE

Technical Committee MN-007 has reviewed the content of this publication and in
accordance with Standards Australia procedures for reconfirmation, it has been determined
that the publication is still valid and does not require change.

Certain documents referenced in the publication may have been amended since the original
date of publication. Users are advised to ensure that they are using the latest versions of
such documents as appropriate, unless advised otherwise in this Reconfirmation Notice.
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

Approved for reconfirmation in accordance with Standards Australia procedures for

reconfirmation on 4 April 2013.

The following are represented on Technical Committee MN-007:

Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy

Australian Ceramic Society
Bureau of Steel Manufacturers of Australia
Cement Industry Federation Ltd
CSIRO Manufacturing & Materials Technology
Institute of Refractories Engineers
Refractories Manufacturers Association of Australia
The University of New South Wales
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

NOTES
 AS 1617.1—2003

Australian Standard™

Refractory bricks and shapes

Part 1: Fireclay
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

Originated as AS R32—1966.
Previous edition AS 1617.1—1993.
Second edition 2003.

COPYRIGHT
© Standards Australia International
All rights are reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without the written permission of the
publisher.
Published by Standards Australia International Ltd
GPO Box 5420, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia
ISBN 0 7337 5148 2
 AS 1617.1—2003 2

PREFACE
This Standard was prepared by Standards Australia Committee MN-007, Refractories and
Refractory Materials to supersede AS 1671.1—1993.
The term ‘informative’ has been used in this Standard to define the application of the
appendix to which is applies. An ‘informative’ appendix is only for information and
guidance.

CONTENTS

Page
1 SCOPE ........................................................................................................................3
2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS ..................................................................................3
3 DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................3
4 CLASSIFICATION .....................................................................................................3
5 DIMENSIONS ............................................................................................................4
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

6 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................4

APPENDICES
A MEANS OF DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE WITH THIS STANDARD ..........6
 3 AS 1617.1—2003

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Australian Standard
Refractory bricks and shapes

Part 1: Fireclay

1 SCOPE
This Standard specifies requirements for machine-made fireclay refractory bricks and
shapes.
NOTE: Alternative methods for determining compliance with this Standard are given in
Appendix A.

2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
The following documents are referred to in this Standard:
AS
1199 Sampling procedures and tables for inspection by attributes
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

1399 Guide to AS 1199—Sampling procedures and tables for inspection by attributes

1618 Dimensions and preferred sizes for refractory bricks
1774 Refractories and refractory materials—Physical test methods
1774.13 Method 13: Permanent dimensional change
2497 Procedures for acceptance testing of refractory products
2497.1 Part 1: Batch procedure
2780 Refractories and refractory materials—Glossary of terms
HB 18.28 Guidelines for third-party certification and accreditation, Guide 28—General
rules for a model third-party certification system for products
AS/NZS ISO
9001 Quality management systems—Requirements
9004 Quality management systems—Guidelines for performance improvements

3 DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this Standard, the definitions given in AS 2780 apply.

4 CLASSIFICATION
Bricks shall be classified on a duty basis in terms of refractoriness (see Note), in
accordance with Table 1.
NOTE: The temperatures given in Table 1 are for classification purposes only, and should not be
related to safe operating temperatures.

www.standards.com.au  Standards Australia

 AS 1617.1—2003 4

TABLE 1
CLASSIFICATION

Refractoriness
Class
°C (min.) Pyrometric cone equivalent (Orton)
Low duty 1491 to 1512 16 to 17
Medium duty 1640 27
Intermediate duty 1659 to 1683 29 to 31
High duty 1699 to 1717 31½ to 32
Super duty 1743 33

5 DIMENSIONS
Bricks may be of any size and shape. The preferred dimensions are those specified in
AS 1618.

6 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
6.1 Texture and surface appearance
Bricks and shapes shall be compact and of homogeneous structure; they shall have full, firm
corners, and all arrises shall be firm and strong. The material shall be evenly burnt
throughout and shall be free from injurious cracks, voids, laminations and other undesirable
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

defects. When cut or broken, the bricks and shapes shall show an even texture and be free
from defects.
NOTE: For assigned acceptable quality level (AQL) value, see Appendix A.
6.2 Dimensional tolerances
NOTE: For assigned AQL value, see Appendix A.
6.2.1 Linear measurements
When bricks are measured in accordance with AS 1618, the measurements of any one group
shall conform to the following limits, unless otherwise specified:
(a) Where the nominal dimension is less than 100 mm, the tolerance shall be ±1.5 mm.
(b) Where the nominal dimension is 100 mm or greater, the tolerance shall be ±2 percent
of the nominal dimension, except that for super duty refractories the tolerance shall
be ±1.5 percent.
(c) Where a brick is designed to have a taper, the nominal taper shall be maintained to
within ±1 mm.
6.2.2 Concavity
When determined in accordance with AS 1618, the concavity of the test specimens shall not
exceed 1.0 percent.
6.2.3 Convexity
When determined in accordance with AS 1618, the convexity of the test specimens shall not
exceed 1.0 percent.
6.2.4 Squareness
When determined in accordance with AS 1618, the squareness of the test specimens shall
not exceed 1.0 percent for extruded shapes; for dry-pressed or machined shapes, the
squareness shall not exceed 0.5 percent.

 Standards Australia www.standards.com.au

 5 AS 1617.1—2003

6.3 Test properties

When determined in accordance with AS 1774.13, the permanent linear change shall
comply with the values given in Table 2.

TABLE 2
PERMANENT LINEAR CHANGE

Class °C Percent change (max.)

Low duty 1250 ± 1
Medium duty 1350 ± 1
Intermediate duty 1400 ± 1
High duty 1400 ± 1
Super duty 1600 ± 1

6.4 Marking
Where marking is required, it shall be done in the manner specified by the manufacturer.
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

www.standards.com.au  Standards Australia

 AS 1617.1—2003 6

APPENDIX A
MEANS OF DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE WITH THIS STANDARD
(Informative)

A1 SCOPE
This Appendix sets out the following different means by which compliance with this
Standard can be demonstrated by the manufacturer or supplier:
(a) Evaluation by means of statistical sampling.
(b) The use of a product certification scheme.
(c) Assurance using the acceptability of the supplier’s quality system.
(d) Other such means proposed by the manufacturer or supplier and acceptable to the
customer.

A2 STATISTICAL SAMPLING
Statistical sampling is a procedure which enables decisions to be made about the quality of
batches of items after inspecting or testing only a portion of those items. This procedure
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

will only be valid if the sampling plan has been determined on a statistical basis and the
following requirements are met:
(a) The sample needs to be drawn randomly from a population of product of known
history. The history needs to enable verification that the product was made from
known materials at essentially the same time, by essentially the same processes and
under essentially the same system of control.
(b) For each different situation, a suitable sampling plan needs to be defined. A sampling
plan for one manufacturer of given capability and product throughput may not be
relevant to another manufacturer producing the same items.
In order for statistical sampling to be meaningful to the customer, the manufacturer or
supplier needs to demonstrate how the above conditions have been satisfied. Sampling and
the establishment of a sampling plan should be carried out in accordance with AS 1199,
guidance to which is given in AS 1399, or with AS 2497.1.

A3 PRODUCT CERTIFICATION
The purpose of product certification is to provide independent assurance of the claim by the
manufacturer that products comply with the stated Standard.
The certification scheme should meet the criteria described in HB 18.28 in that, as well as
full type testing from independently sampled production and subsequent verification of
conformance, it requires the manufacturer to maintain effective quality planning to control
production.
The certification scheme serves to indicate that the products consistently conform to the
requirements of the Standard.

A4 SUPPLIER’S QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Where the manufacturer or supplier can demonstrate an audited and registered quality
management system complying with the requirements of the appropriate or stipulated
Australian or international Standard for a supplier’s quality management system or systems,
this may provide the necessary confidence that the specified requirements will be met. The

 Standards Australia www.standards.com.au

 7 AS 1617.1—2003

quality assurance requirements need to be agreed between the customer and supplier and
should include a quality or inspection and test plan to ensure product conformity.
Information on establishing a quality management system is set out in AS/NZS ISO 9001
and AS/NZS ISO 9004.

A5 OTHER MEANS OF ASSESSMENT

If the above methods are considered inappropriate, determination of compliance with the
requirements of this Standard may be assessed from the results of testing, coupled with the
manufacturer’s guarantee of product conformance.
Irrespective of acceptable quality levels (AQLs) or test frequencies, the responsibility
remains with the manufacturer or supplier to supply products that conform to the full
requirements of the Standard.
When bricks and shapes are sampled in accordance with AS 2497.1, the following AQL
values should apply to the physical requirements specified in Clause 6:
(a) Texture and surface appearance ................4 percent (attributes method).
(b) Dimensional tolerances.............................4 percent (attributes method).
(c) Properties.............................................. 6.5 percent (variables method).
NOTE: The requirements specified at the given AQL values should be considered as the
minimum requirements of a good quality shape for general use.
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

www.standards.com.au  Standards Australia

Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

NOTES
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

NOTES
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

NOTES
 Standards Australia
Standards Australia is an independent company, limited by guarantee, which prepares and publishes
most of the voluntary technical and commercial standards used in Australia. These standards are
developed through an open process of consultation and consensus, in which all interested parties are
invited to participate. Through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commonwealth government,
Standards Australia is recognized as Australia’s peak national standards body.
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

Australian Standards
Australian Standards are prepared by committees of experts from industry, governments, consumers
and other relevant sectors. The requirements or recommendations contained in published Standards are
a consensus of the views of representative interests and also take account of comments received from
other sources. They reflect the latest scientific and industry experience. Australian Standards are kept
under continuous review after publication and are updated regularly to take account of changing
technology.

International Involvement
Standards Australia is responsible for ensuring that the Australian viewpoint is considered in the
formulation of international Standards and that the latest international experience is incorporated in
national Standards. This role is vital in assisting local industry to compete in international markets.
Standards Australia represents Australia at both ISO (The International Organization
for Standardization) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Electronic Standards
All Australian Standards are available in electronic editions, either downloaded individually from our Web
site, or via on-line and CD ROM subscription services. For more information phone 1300 65 46 46 or
visit us at

www.standards.com.au
Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

GPO Box 5420 Sydney NSW 2001

Administration Phone (02) 8206 6000 Fax (02) 8206 6001 Email [email protected]
Customer Service Phone 1300 65 46 46 Fax 1300 65 49 49 Email [email protected]
Internet www.standards.com.au

ISBN 0 7337 5148 2 Printed in Australia

Accessed by TAFE NSW (TAFE Library Services) on 05 Apr 2017 (Document currency not guaranteed when printed)

This page has been left intentionally blank.