Designation: D6354 – 12

Standard Guide for

Sampling Plan and Core Sampling of Carbon Cathode
Blocks Used in Aluminum Production1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6354; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* C559 Test Method for Bulk Density by Physical Measure-

1.1 This guide covers sampling of carbon cathode blocks ments of Manufactured Carbon and Graphite Articles
used in the production of aluminum, and details procedures for C611 Test Method for Electrical Resistivity of Manufac-
taking samples from single cathode blocks. It covers equip- tured Carbon and Graphite Articles at Room Temperature
ment and procedures for obtaining samples from cathode C651 Test Method for Flexural Strength of Manufactured
blocks in a manner that does not destroy the cathode block or Carbon and Graphite Articles Using Four-Point Loading at
prevent its subsequent use as originally intended. However, the Room Temperature
user must determine the subsequent use of the sampled cathode C747 Test Method for Moduli of Elasticity and Fundamen-
blocks. Preferred locations for taking samples from single units tal Frequencies of Carbon and Graphite Materials by Sonic
of cathode blocks are covered in this guide. Resonance
1.1.1 Information for sampling of shaped refractory prod- C1025 Test Method for Modulus of Rupture in Bending of
ucts, in general, is given in ISO 5022. This standard details the Electrode Graphite
statistical basis for sampling plans for acceptance testing of a C1039 Test Methods for Apparent Porosity, Apparent Spe-
consignment or lot. Cathode blocks used in the production of cific Gravity, and Bulk Density of Graphite Electrodes
aluminum have specific requirements of sampling, and while C1225 Specification for Fiber-Cement Roofing Shingles,
the statistical basis for sampling given in ISO 5022 applies, Shakes, and Slates
further or modified requirements may also apply. 2.2 ISO Standards:3
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as ISO 8007-1 Carbonaceous materials used in the production
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this of aluminum - Cathodic blocks - Sampling plan and
standard. sampling from single cathodic blocks
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the ISO 5022 Shaped refractory products - Sampling and accep-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the tance testing
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3. Terminology
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 cathode block, n—one manufactured unit used as a
NOTE 1—The following ASTM standards are noted as sources of useful negative carbon electrode.
information: Test Methods C559, C611, C651, C747, C1025, C1039, and
3.1.2 sample, n—a portion of carbon obtained from a
C1225.
cathode block.
2. Referenced Documents 3.1.3 test specimen, n—a representative piece of a sample.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 4. Significance and Use
4.1 Core sampling is an acceptable way of obtaining a test
specimen without destroying the usefulness of a cathode block.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum 4.1.1 Test specimens obtained by this guide can be used by
Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.05 on producers and users of cathode blocks for the purpose of
Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material.
Current edition approved April 15, 2012. Published May 2012. Originally conducting the tests in Note 1 to obtain comparative physical
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D6354–98(2008). properties.
DOI: 10.1520/D6354-12.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

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 D6354 – 12
4.2 Sampling shall not weaken the cathode block or increase 6.1.2 For cathode blocks with collector bar slots, samples
the likelihood of premature failure. Extreme care shall be shall be drilled from the cathode block, as shown in Fig. 3. If
exercised when taking vertically drilled samples. the user determines that cathode blocks with sample holes
drilled in them cannot be used in the electrolysis process, then
5. Apparatus it will be necessary to obtain a number of cathode blocks with
5.1 Core Drill Bit, similar to that shown in Fig. 1, driven by the extra length, as shown in Fig. 3. The extra length will then
suitable equipment. Use bits with cutting teeth coated with have to be removed prior to cathode block use.
diamond or other extremely hard material. 6.2 Dimensions of a cored sample will depend upon the test
that is to be performed on the sample. The minimum dimension
6. Procedure (usually the diameter) shall be at least three times the maxi-
6.1 Sampling locations for cathode blocks that were vi- mum particle size of the dry aggregate used in the manufacture
brated, pressed, or extruded without a collector bar slot will of the cathode block. Reference should be made to the
differ from those cathode blocks that were formed with standards relating to the tests to be performed to ensure that the
collector bar slots. samples taken are to suitable dimensions.
6.1.1 For cathode blocks without collector bar slots, 6.2.1 The specific dimensions of the test specimens to be
samples shall be drilled from the part of the cathode block that tested are normally given in the appropriate ASTM standard.
will be machined out for the slot, as shown in Fig. 2. Care is to Where a standard does not specify the dimensions of the test
be taken to ensure that cores drilled vertical to the slot do not specimen, a diameter of 30 or 50 mm is recommended. The
penetrate beyond the depth of the slot. length of the test specimens should be at least one and a half
times the diameter.
6.3 Place the core drill bit firmly against the cathode block.
Take care to maintain the bit level and true. Do not stop until
the bit is embedded its full length. Compressed air can be used
to cool the drill bit and remove dust while drilling. Do not use
water or other liquids to cool the drill bit.
6.3.1 To remove the bit, pull and twist it by hand, or
carefully withdraw the drill bit while it is rotating. To remove
the sample, insert a wedge between it and the cathode block
until the core snaps.

7. Report
7.1 The sampling report shall include the following:
7.1.1 Names of producer and customer,
7.1.2 Manufacturer’s identification of the lot or batch of
cathode blocks being sampled,
7.1.3 Reference to this guide,
7.1.4 Date and place of sampling,
7.1.5 If extra length cathode blocks were available for
sampling, the proportion and number are to be noted,
7.1.6 Sketches, similar to those in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, showing
the location of the sampling locations and the direction of
sampling (horizontally or vertically),
7.1.7 The dimensions of the samples,
7.1.8 Identification of the people doing the sampling, and
7.1.9 Complete details of sampling plan being followed.
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8. Keywords
8.1 anthracite; carbon; cathodes; core; graphite; sample;
FIG. 1 Typical Core Drill Bit sampling; test specimens

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 D6354 – 12

FIG. 2 Sampling from Single Units Produced Without Slot

FIG. 3 Sampling from Single Units Produced with Slot

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Subcommittee D02.05 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D6354–98(2008)) that may impact the use of this standard.

(1) Updated Section 3.

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