ASTM_C_373_-_16e1.pdf

Designation:C373161Standard Test Methods forDetermination of Water Absorption and AssociatedProperties by Vacuum Method for Pressed Ceramic Tilesand Glass Tiles and Boil Method for Extruded Ceramic Tilesand Non-tile Fired Ceramic Whiteware Products1This standard is issued under the fixed designation C373;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1NOTESection 5.3.1 was revised editorially in December 2016.1.Scope*1.1 These test methods covers procedures for determiningwater absorption,bulk density,apparent porosity,and apparentspecific gravity of non-tile fired unglazed ceramic whiteware2products,glazed or unglazed ceramic tiles,and glass tiles.1.2 The values stated in metric units are normative.Thevalues given in parentheses are mathematical conversions toinch-pound units that are provided for information only and arenot normative.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Significance and Use2.1 Measurement of density,porosity,and specific gravity isa tool for determining the degree of maturation of a ceramicbody,or for determining structural properties that may berequired for a given application.3.Apparatus and Materials3.1 Balance or scale,of adequate capacity,suitable to weighaccurately to 0.01 g(0.00002 lb).3.2 Oven,capable of maintaining a temperature of 150 65C(302 6 9F).3.3 Wire Loop,Halter,or Basket,capable of supportingspecimens under water for making suspended mass measure-ments.3.4 Suspended Mass Container(if Determination of Sus-pended Mass is Desired)A glass beaker or similar containerof such size and shape that the sample,when suspended fromthe balance by the wire loop,specified in 3.3,is completelyimmersed in water with the sample and the wire loop com-pletely free of contact with any part of the container.3.5 Stainless Steel Boiling Container,suitable for boilingwater and with sufficient capacity to hold the test specimensand quantity of water specified in 5.2.The container shall beequipped with a loose removable cover which does not allowpressure to build.3.6 Deionized(DI)or Distilled Water.3.7 Microfiber Cloth.3.8 Heat Source,such as a hot plate,burner,or equivalent toheat the water to boiling.3.9 Desiccatora sealed chamber containing desiccantswhich is of sufficient size and capacity to allow specimens tocool while preventing the specimens from absorbing moisturefrom ambient air.3.10 Pressure Vessel,capable of holding a vacuum of 91 65 kPa(26.9 6 1.5 inHg)below standard atmospheric pressure.The vessel shall be large enough to hold the required numberof tile samples and the necessary volume of water to cover thetiles during testing.A modified 41.5 quart pressure cooker hasbeen found to meet these requirements.3.11 Vacuum Pump,capable of achieving and holding therequired vacuum.3.12 Gauge,capable of measuring the required vacuum.Gauge shall be installed on a manifold connected directly to thepressure vessel.Readings from any gauges present on thepump are not acceptable forms of measurement.3.13 Hoses,fittings,valves,solenoids,or combinationsthereof,assembled in such a way to allow manually orautomatic operation.1These test methods is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C21 onCeramic Whitewares and Related Products and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee C21.03 on Methods for Whitewares and Environmental Concerns.Current edition approved Aug.1,2016.Published August 2016.Originallyapproved in 1955.Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C373 2014a.DOI:10.1520/C0373-16E01.2Non-tile ceramic whitewares are ceramic whitewares as defined in ASTMTerminology Standard C242,excluding ceramic tiles.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 3.14 Timer,accurate to 1 second.4.Test Specimens:4.1 Non-tile Fired Ceramic Whitewares:4.1.1 At least five representative test specimens shall beselected that have not been previously tested.The specimensshall be unglazed and shall have as much of the surface freshlyfractured as is practical.Sharp edges or corners shall beremoved.The specimens shall contain no cracks.The indi-vidual test specimens shall weigh at least 50 g(0.11 lb).4.2 Ceramic Tiles and Glass Tiles:4.2.1 Sampling shall be carried out in accordance withSections 4.2.2 4.2.9(for irregularly shaped tiles,see Note 1).Tiles and relevant specimens must contain no visible damageor cracks prior to testing and have not been previously tested.Any loose or contaminating material shal