ASTM E382 is a standard test method that measures the crushing strength of individual fired iron ore pellets and direct-reduced iron (DRI) by applying a continuous compressive load until failure. The ASTM E382 test method specifies how to measure the crushing strength of burned iron ore pellets. Iron ore and iron ore pellets are important sources of iron for manufacturing steel. The SI units are used to quantify the performance of specimens tested using this procedure.
ASTM E382 Determination of Crushing Strength of Iron Ore Pellets and Direct-Reduced Iron
What is ASTM E382?
What is the Scope of ASTM E382?
The ASTM E382 test technique determines the crushing strength of burnt iron ore pellets, but it does not apply to cylindrical agglomerates, briquettes, or reduced pellets. Crushing strength helps the pellet producer identify quality issues linked to pellet production. Pellet consumers often use crushing strength as a quality indicator for blast furnace performance.
ASTM E382 Sample Preparation and Equipment
- Sample requirement: According to ASTM E382, the test sample should be 12.5+9.5 mm in size. The process requires at least sixty iron ore pellets.
- Loading unit: A compression testing machine with parallel, surface-hardened steel platens is used.
- Speed control: it is ensured that the machine can regulate the platen movement speed consistently.
- Load indicator: a calibrated electronic or mechanical indicator (such as a load cell) is used to record the breaking load accurately.
- Sieves: square-mesh sieves (typically 12.5 mm and 9.5 mm) are used to sort the pellet size range
ASTM E382 Testing Procedure and Requirements
A force is delivered to a single pellet at a preset speed of the compressive platen until the pellet is broken according to ASTM E382. This method is carried out on each of the test sample’s pellets. The step-by-step procedure is as follows-
- Placing the pellet: The analyst positions a single iron ore pellet centrally between the upper and lower hardened steel platens of the loading unit.
- Applying the load: The analyst starts the machine to move the compressive platen at the specified, uniform speed until the pellet breaks completely.
- Recording the force: The analyst reads and records the maximum compressive load (force at failure) indicated on the load cell or gauge.
- Repeating the test: The analyst clears the broken fragments and repeats steps 1 through 3 for all remaining pellets in the test sample.
- Calculation of results: The analyst calculates the mean (average) crushing strength from all tested individual pellets.
- Reporting data: The analyst documents the mean compressive strength in kilogram-force (kgf) or decaNewtons (daN), alongside the standard deviation, the number of pellets tested, and their size range.
ASTM E382 Results Analysis and Interpretation
According to ASTM E382, crushing strength is given as the average of all measurements in kilogram-force.
Updated on September 8, 2026
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