ASTM C406/C406M-22

Standard Specification for Roofing Slate

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the material characteristics, physical requirements, and sampling method appropriate to the selection of roofing slate for use as roof shingles. Slates not included in this specification are those containing soft carbonaceous ribbons. Roofing shall be classified either as Grade S1, S2, or S3, wherein each grade shall meet specified breaking load, absorption, and depth of softening requirements.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the material characteristics, physical requirements, and sampling appropriate to the selection of slate for use as roof shingles.  
1.2 Slates not included in this specification are those containing soft carbonaceous ribbons. The wide variation in physical properties and composition of such ribbon slates render their service life uncertain under some conditions of use.  
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
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-Jul-2022
• ICS: 91.100.15 - Mineral materials and products
• Technical Committee: C18 - Dimension Stone
• Drafting Committee: C18.03 - Material Specifications

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:C406/C406M −22
Standard Specification for
1
Roofing Slate
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C406/C406M; 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 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 service life—a period of time over which the slate
1.1 This specification covers the material characteristics,
material is expected to require no repair or replacement due to
physical requirements, and sampling appropriate to the selec-
weathering.
tion of slate for use as roof shingles.
3.2.2 ribbons—narrow bands of carbonaceous material,
1.2 Slates not included in this specification are those con-
darker in color than the surrounding slate. These ribbons are
taining soft carbonaceous ribbons. The wide variation in
inclusions of the original beds and are softer and less durable
physical properties and composition of such ribbon slates
than the surrounding material.
render their service life uncertain under some conditions of
use.
4. Classification
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
4.1 Roofing slate shall be classified by grade in accordance
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
with the physical requirements of Table 1, with the classifica-
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
tion limited to the test specimen thickness, or greater thickness,
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
as determined under Test Methods C120/C120M.
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
with the standard.
4.2 When comparing slates of the same grade and equal
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- thickness, but from various sources, slates which meet the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- required breaking load at the lowest specimen thickness will
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the yield the best performance on the roof in terms of resistance to
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- impact damage.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.3 Expected service life of the various grades, depending
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
on geographic location and environmental exposure, is as
follows:
2. Referenced Documents
Grade Service Life (years)
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Grade S over 75
1
C119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone Grade S 40 to 75
2
Grade S 20 to 40
3
C120/C120M Test Methods for FlexureTesting of Structural
and Roofing Slate
5. Ordering Information
C121/C121M Test Method for Water Absorption of Slate
C217/C217M Test Methods for Weather Resistance of Slate 5.1 Color—The commercial color specified should be pre-
ceded by the words “unfading” or “semi-weathering” or
3. Terminology
“weathering” to indicate the allowable change in the original
slate color, over time, upon exposure on the roof.
3.1 Definitions—Definitions shall be in accordance with
Terminology C119.
5.2 Standard Roofs—Sloping roofs utilizing a nominal
1
thickness of ⁄4 in. [6 mm], are known as standard roofs. These
shingles shall be rectangular unless otherwise specified. These
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C18 on
shingles shall be machine punched or drilled for two nails
Dimension Stone and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C18.03 on
Material Specifications.
located for the required headlap and installation methods.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2022. Published September 2022. Originally
5.3 Textural Roofs—Sloping roofs utilizing various sizes,
approved in 1957 as C406 – 57 T. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as
C406/C406M – 15. DOI: 10.1520/C0406_C406M-22.
thicknesses, textures, and colors for architectural effects, are
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
known as textural roofs. These shingles shall be machine
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
punched or drilled for two nails located for the required
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. headlap and installation methods.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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C406/C406M−22
1
TABLE 1 Physical Requirements
piece broken off is greater than 1 ⁄2 in. [40 mm]. Slates with
Absor
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: C406/C406M − 15 C406/C406M − 22
Standard Specification for
1
Roofing Slate
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C406/C406M; 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
1.1 This specification covers the material characteristics, physical requirements, and sampling appropriate to the selection of slate
for use as roof shingles.
1.2 Slates not included in this specification are those containing soft carbonaceous ribbons. The wide variation in physical
properties and composition of such ribbon slates render their service life uncertain under some conditions of use.
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone
C120/C120M Test Methods for Flexure Testing of Structural and Roofing Slate
C121/C121M Test Method for Water Absorption of Slate
C217/C217M Test Methods for Weather Resistance of Slate
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions shall be in accordance with Terminology C119.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 service life—a period of time over which the slate material is expected to require no repair or replacement due to weathering.
3.2.2 ribbons—narrow bands of carbonaceous material, darker in color than the surrounding slate. These ribbons are inclusions
of the original beds and are softer and less durable than the surrounding material.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C18 on Dimension Stone and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C18.03 on Material
Specifications.
Current edition approved April 1, 2015Aug. 1, 2022. Published May 2015September 2022. Originally approved in 1957 as C406 – 57 T. Last previous edition approved
in 20102015 as C406 – 10.C406/C406M – 15. DOI: 10.1520/C0406_C406M-15.10.1520/C0406_C406M-22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM 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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C406/C406M − 22
4. Classification
4.1 Roofing slate shall be classified by grade in accordance with the physical requirements of Table 1, with the classification
limited to the test specimen thickness, or greater thickness, as determined under Test Methods C120/C120M.
4.2 When comparing slates of the same grade and equal thickness, but from various sources, slates which meet the required
breaking load at the lowest specimen thickness will yield the best performance on the roof in terms of resistance to impact damage.
4.3 Expected service life of the various grades, depending on geographic location and environmental exposure, is as follows:
Grade Service Life (years)
Grade S over 75
1
Grade S 40 to 75
2
Grade S 20 to 40
3
5. Ordering Information
5.1 Color—The commercial color specified should be preceded by the words “unfading” or “semi-weathering” or “weathering”
to indicate the allowable change in the original slate color, over time, upon exposure on the roof.
1
5.2 Standard Roofs—Sloping roofs utilizing a nominal thickness of ⁄4 in. [6 mm], are known as standard roofs. These shingles
shall be rectangular unless otherwise specified. These shingles shall be machine punched or drilled for two nails located for the
required headlap and installation methods.
5.3 Textural Roofs—Sloping roofs utilizing various sizes, thicknesses, textures, and colors for architectural effects, are known as
textural roofs. These shingles shall be machine punch
...