ASTM C897-15(2020)

Standard Specification for Aggregate for Job-Mixed Portland Cement-Based Plasters

ABSTRACT
This specification covers natural or manufactured aggregate for use in job-mixed base and finish-coat full thickness Portland cement, Portland cement-lime and modified Portland cement plasters. Aggregate subjected to five cycles of the soundness test shall show a loss, when weighed in accordance with the grading of a sampling complying with the limitations set forth. The fineness modulus, friable particles, light constituents, organic impurities, material soundness, and sieve analysis of the aggregate shall be tested to meet the requirements prescribed.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers natural or manufactured aggregate for use in job-mixed base and finish-coat full thickness portland cement-based plasters.  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.3 The text of this specification references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the specification.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2020
• ICS: 91.100.10 - Cement. Gypsum. Lime. Mortar
• Technical Committee: C11 - Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems
• Drafting Committee: C11.02 - Specifications and Test Methods for Accessories and Related Products

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C897-15 - Standard Specification for Aggregate for Job-Mixed Portland Cement-Based Plasters
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM C88/C88M-24 - Standard Test Method for Soundness of Aggregates by Use of Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM C123/C123M-23 - Standard Test Method for Lightweight Particles in Aggregate
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM C117-23 - Standard Test Method for Materials Finer than 75-μm (No. 200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM C142/C142M-17(2023) - Standard Test Method for Clay Lumps and Friable Particles in Aggregates
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2023
• Refers: ASTM C125-19a - Standard Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2019
• Refers: ASTM D75/D75M-19 - Standard Practice for Sampling Aggregates
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Refers: ASTM C125-19 - Standard Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Refers: ASTM C11-18a - Standard Terminology Relating to Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Refers: ASTM C125-18b - Standard Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Refers: ASTM C88/C88M-18 - Standard Test Method for Soundness of Aggregates by Use of Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2018
• Refers: ASTM C125-18a - Standard Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2018
• Refers: ASTM C11-18 - Standard Terminology Relating to Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2018
• Refers: ASTM C125-18 - Standard Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2018
• Refers: ASTM C11-17a - Standard Terminology Relating to Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2017

Overview

ASTM C897-15(2020) – Standard Specification for Aggregate for Job-Mixed Portland Cement-Based Plasters is an internationally recognized standard developed by ASTM for specifying the requirements of natural or manufactured aggregate used in job-mixed, full-thickness Portland cement, cement-lime, and modified Portland cement plasters. This specification ensures that the aggregate material provides durability, workability, and the desired finish characteristics for cement-based plasters in construction. It covers essential tests and quality criteria to support consistent plaster performance in both base and finish coats.

Key Topics

• Aggregate Types: Applies to both natural sand (from natural rock disintegration) and manufactured sand (crushed and screened material from rock, gravel, or slag).
• Physical Requirements: Includes limitations on deleterious substances such as friable particles, lightweight particles, and organic impurities, helping maintain plaster integrity and durability.
• Soundness Testing: Aggregates must undergo soundness testing (using sodium or magnesium sulfate) to ensure resistance to weathering and long-term durability.
• Particle Size and Gradation: Sets specific gradation requirements for base and finish coats, including permissible variations and the calculation of fineness modulus.
• Testing Methods: References key ASTM test methods for sieve analysis, sampling, organic impurity evaluation, and more, ensuring standardized assessment and compliance.
• Certification and Labeling: Requires clear documentation, packaging, and labeling practices for traceability and quality control in the supply chain.

Applications

ASTM C897 is critical for a range of industries and professionals involved in plastering and construction:

• Plasterers and Contractors: Ensures the consistent quality of job-mixed Portland cement-based plasters used for wall and ceiling finishes in residential, commercial, and institutional buildings.
• Builders and Developers: Supports the selection of suitable aggregates for robust, long-lasting plaster applications.
• Materials Suppliers: Defines the criteria for producing and supplying aggregates that meet recognized international specifications, promoting material reliability in the market.
• Quality Control Laboratories: Provides standardized methods for testing aggregate properties, contributing to quality assurance and compliance in construction projects.
• Specifiers and Architects: Offers clear guidance for specifying aggregate requirements in construction documents, reducing risk of substandard plaster finishes.

Proper selection and testing of aggregates in accordance with ASTM C897 help achieve:

• Enhanced workability, finish, and durability of Portland cement-based plasters
• Resistance to cracking and weather-related degradation
• Assurance of compliance with regulatory and project-specific requirements

Related Standards

Several other ASTM standards are referenced within ASTM C897 for determining aggregate quality and testing protocols:

• ASTM C11 - Terminology Relating to Gypsum and Related Building Materials
• ASTM C40/C40M - Test Method for Organic Impurities in Fine Aggregates for Concrete
• ASTM C87/C87M - Test Method for Effect of Organic Impurities in Fine Aggregate on Strength of Mortar
• ASTM C88/C88M - Test Method for Soundness of Aggregates by Use of Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate
• ASTM C117 - Test Method for Materials Finer than 75-µm Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing
• ASTM C123/C123M - Test Method for Lightweight Particles in Aggregate
• ASTM C125 - Terminology Relating to Concrete and Aggregates
• ASTM C136 - Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
• ASTM C142/C142M - Test Method for Clay Lumps and Friable Particles in Aggregates
• ASTM D75/D75M - Practice for Sampling Aggregates

By adhering to ASTM C897-15(2020), organizations and individuals across the construction industry ensure high-quality, durable plasterwork, contributing to safe and appealing built environments.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C897 −15 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Specification for
Aggregate for Job-Mixed Portland Cement-Based Plasters
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C897; 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 C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
gregates
1.1 Thisspecificationcoversnaturalormanufacturedaggre-
C136 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
gate for use in job-mixed base and finish-coat full thickness
Aggregates
portland cement-based plasters.
C142/C142M Test Method for Clay Lumps and Friable
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Particles in Aggregates
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
D75/D75M Practice for Sampling Aggregates
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard.
3. Terminology
1.3 The text of this specification references notes and
3.1 Definitions:
footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and
3.1.1 Definitions used in this specification shall be in
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be
accordance with Terminology C11 and Terminology C125.
considered as requirements of the specification.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.2.1 aggregate, n—a granular material such as natural or
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
manufactured sand used with a cementing medium to form
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
plaster (stucco).
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.2.2 manufactured sand, n—the fine material resulting
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
fromthecrushingandclassificationbyscreening,orotherwise,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
of rock, gravel, or blast furnace slag.
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.3 natural sand, n—the fine granular material resulting
2.1 ASTM Standards: from the natural disintegration of rock.
C11 Terminology Relating to Gypsum and Related Building
Materials and Systems 4. Composition
C40/C40M Test Method for Organic Impurities in Fine
4.1 Deleterious Substances—The amount of deleterious
Aggregates for Concrete
substances in aggregates, each determined on independent
C87/C87M Test Method for Effect of Organic Impurities in
samplescomplyingwiththegradingrequirementsofSection6,
Fine Aggregate on Strength of Mortar
shall not be more than the following:
C88/C88M Test Method for Soundness of Aggregates by
Maximum Permissible
Item
Use of Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate
Weight, %
C117 Test Method for Materials Finer than 75-µm (No. 200)
Friable particles 1.0
Light weight particles, floating on liquid having a 0.5
Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing
specific gravity of 2.0
C123/C123M Test Method for Lightweight Particles in Ag-
4.2 Organic Impurities:
gregate
4.2.1 The aggregate shall be free of injurious amounts of
organic impurities. Except as herein provided, aggregates
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C11 on
Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems and is the direct responsibility subjected to the test for Organic Impurities, Test Method
of Subcommittee C11.02 on Specifications and Test Methods for Accessories and
C40/C40M, and producing a color darker than the standard
Related Products.
shall be rejected.
Current edition approved April 1, 2020. Published April 2020. Originally
4.2.2 Aggregate failing the test for organic impurities may
approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as C897 – 15. DOI:
10.1520/C0897-15R20.
be used provided that, when tested for the effect of organic
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
impurities on strength in accordance with Test Method C87/
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
C87M, the relative strength at seven days is not less than 95 %.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C897 − 15 (2020)
5. Physical Properties 7. Sampling and Testing
7.1 The aggregate shall be sampled and tested as specified
5.1 Soundness (see 7.1.7):
in the following methods, except as otherwise specified in this
5.1.1 Except as herein provided, aggregate subjected to five
specification:
cyclesofthesoundnesstestshallshowaloss,whenweighedin
7.1.1 Sampling, Practice D75/D75M.
accordance with the grading of a sampling complying with the
limitations set forth in Section 6, not greater than 20 % when 7.1.2 Fineness Modulus, Terminology C125, is obtained by
adding the total percentages shown by the sieve analysis to be
sodium sulfate is used, or 15 % when magnesium sulfate is
used. retained on each of the sieves in 6.1, except the No. 200
(75 µm) sieve, and dividing the sum by 100.
5.1.2 Aggregates failing to meet the requirements of 5.1.1
7.1.3 Materials Finer than No. 200 (75 µm) Sieve, Test
shall be accepted, provided there is evidence that plasters of
Method C117 by washing.
comparable properties made from similar aggregates from the
same source ha
...