The “ASTM C97/C97M-15 Standard test methods for absorption and bulk specific gravity of dimensioned stone” standard, developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), describes test methods for determining the absorption and bulk specific gravity of all dimensioned stone types except slate.
For the purposes of this standard, all valid definitions are included in the "ASTM C119-22 Standard Terminology for Dimensional Stone" standard.
The test methods described are useful in demonstrating differences in absorption between stones of various sizes. These test methods provide an element of comparison of stones of the same type.
The sample shall be selected to represent a true average of the type or grade of stone in question and shall be of marketable quality under the type description to be tested. The sample may be selected by the purchaser or his authorized representative from quarried stone or natural outcrop and shall be of sufficient size to permit preparation of at least five test specimens. When perceptible changes occur, the purchaser may select as many specimens as necessary to determine the range in properties. ASTM C1799/C1799M-14 Standard Guide for Sampling and Preparation of Dimensional Stone Test Specimens applies to the selection, preparation, and conditioning of test specimens.
The samples may be cubes, prisms, cylinders or any regular form with the smallest dimension not less than 50 mm and the largest dimension not greater than 75 mm, but the volume/surface area ratio measured in millimetres shall not be less than 8 mm nor greater than 12,5 mm. All surfaces shall be reasonably smooth. Saw or core drill surfaces are acceptable but rougher surfaces shall be finished with No. 80 abrasive. Chisels or similar tools shall not be used at any stage in the preparation of the samples. A minimum of five samples shall be prepared from each sample.
The same samples may be used to determine both water absorption and bulk specific gravity. In this case, the procedures described in this standard shall be followed and a single report containing all necessary information shall be prepared. Alternatively, separate samples may be prepared from the same or different samples. In this case, the applicable procedure for the separate determination and reporting of water absorption or bulk specific gravity or both shall be followed.
When performing the test, the samples are dried in a ventilated oven at 60 degrees plus/minus 2 degrees for 48 hours. At 46, 47 and 48 hours, the samples are weighed to ensure that the weight is the same. If the weight continues to decrease, the samples are continued to dry until three consecutive hourly readings are obtained with the same weight.
After drying, the samples are cooled at room temperature for 30 minutes and weighed. If the samples cannot be weighed immediately after cooling, they are stored in a desiccator. Their weights are adjusted to the nearest 0,01 g.
The samples are completely immersed in filtered or distilled water at 22 degrees plus/minus 2 degrees for 48 hours. At the end of this period, the samples are removed from the water bath one by one, their surfaces are dried with a damp cloth and weighed to the nearest 0,01 g.
The weight percent absorbance for each sample is calculated by following the formula given in the standard.
If both absorbance and bulk specific gravity are to be determined on the same samples, saturated samples suspended in filtered or distilled water at 22 degrees plus/minus 2 degrees are weighed immediately after the absorbance tests are completed. The suspended weights are adjusted to the nearest 0,01 g.
A satisfactory way of weighing samples in water is to use a wire basket, such as that shown, to suspend the sample in a container of water. The container of water should be just large enough to allow the basket's suspension cable to pass above the surface of the water. It is important to ensure that air bubbles are removed from the basket and sample before recording the weight.
The water container can be supported on the balance pan with the basket suspended from a frame and supported on a balance pan, as shown in the figure. The weight of the basket is determined while suspended in water to the same depth as when weighing samples. The weight of the basket is deducted from the combined weight of the sample and basket to the nearest 0,01 g. The basket can be suspended under an electronic balance with the water container supported independently, as shown in the figure. The balance is zeroed to the same depth while the basket is suspended in water as when weighing samples.
When the bulk specific gravity test is performed on samples other than those used for absorption, their dry weights are determined in accordance with the standard. The samples are immersed in filtered or distilled water at 1 degrees plus/minus 22 degrees for at least 2 hour or until no air bubbles form in the samples within 5 minutes. The samples are surface dried, weighed to the nearest 0,01 g and returned to the water bath.
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