Overview
ISO 4700:2015 defines a standardized laboratory method to determine the crushing strength of iron ore pellets used as blast furnace and direct reduction feedstocks. The standard applies to hot bonded pellets and gives a repeatable procedure to measure the compressive load that causes pellet breakage. Results are intended for quality control, contractual specifications and research, enabling consistent comparison between laboratories.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Measures the compressive load to cause pellet breakage for hot bonded pellets.
- Sample preparation
- Pellet size range: −12.5 mm +10.0 mm.
- Test sample: at least 1 kg (dry basis).
- Oven-dry to constant mass at 105 °C ± 5 °C, then cool to room temperature.
- Test portion: Random selection of ≥ 60 pellets (minimum), or more where precision demands.
- Apparatus
- Two surface‑hardened steel, parallel flat platens.
- Platen speed adjustable 10–20 mm/min (constant speed recommended).
- Load transmission: load cell or lever; load cell capacity ≥ 10 kN.
- Load indicator/recorder with suitable response and graduation.
- Procedure
- Compress single pellets centrally between platens at specified speed.
- Test ends when either the load drops to ≤ 50% of the maximum recorded or the platen gap reduces to 50% of initial mean pellet diameter.
- For automatic equipment, exclude individual pellet strength values