Australian Refractory Standards - Worth Persevering With?

This paper is based on Australian refractory standards AS 1774 "Refractories and Refracory Materials - Physical Test Methods", which has been trenchantly critisized by sections of industry for many reasons. The complaints are examined to determine their validity because if most are true then the continued production of AS 1744 would appear to be questionable. Another reason for examining the production of the standard is the continual down-scaling of refractories laboratories. This means the testing processes in the future must use less direct labour, a factor which should be recognised in the methodology espoused.