ASTM C373-16

Standard Test Methods for Determination of Water Absorption and Associated Properties by Vacuum Method for Pressed Ceramic Tiles and Glass Tiles and Boil Method for Extruded Ceramic Tiles and Non-tile Fired Ceramic Whiteware Products

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
2.1 Measurement of density, porosity, and specific gravity is a tool for determining the degree of maturation of a ceramic body, or for determining structural properties that may be required for a given application.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods covers procedures for determining water absorption, bulk density, apparent porosity, and apparent specific gravity of non-tile fired unglazed ceramic whiteware2 products, glazed or unglazed ceramic tiles, and glass tiles.  
1.2 The values stated in metric units are normative. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not normative.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2016
• ICS: 81.060.20 - Ceramic products
• ICS: 97.040.60 - Cookware, cutlery and flatware
• Technical Committee: C21 - Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Drafting Committee: C21.03 - Methods for Whitewares and Environmental Concerns

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C373-14a - Standard Test Method for Water Absorption, Bulk Density, Apparent Porosity, and Apparent Specific Gravity of Fired Whiteware Products, Ceramic Tiles, and Glass Tiles
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2016
• Replaced By: ASTM C373-16e1 - Standard Test Methods for Determination of Water Absorption and Associated Properties by Vacuum Method for Pressed Ceramic Tiles and Glass Tiles and Boil Method for Extruded Ceramic Tiles and Non-tile Fired Ceramic Whiteware Products
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C515-13(2018) - Standard Specification for Chemical-Resistant Ceramic Tower Packings
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2016
• Referred By: ASTM F1538-03(2017) - Standard Specification for Glass and Glass Ceramic Biomaterials for Implantation
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2016
• Referred By: ASTM F603-12(2020) - Standard Specification for High-Purity Dense Aluminum Oxide for Medical Application
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C708-16 - Standard Specification for Nuclear-Grade Beryllium Oxide Powder
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2016
• Referred By: ASTM D116-86(2020) - Standard Test Methods for Vitrified Ceramic Materials for Electrical Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C1470-20 - Standard Guide for Testing the Thermal Properties of Advanced Ceramics
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2016
• Referred By: ASTM F2393-12(2020) - Standard Specification for High-Purity Dense Magnesia Partially Stabilized Zirconia (Mg-PSZ) for Surgical Implant Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C1525-18 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Thermal Shock Resistance for Advanced Ceramics by Water Quenching
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C1869-18(2023) - Standard Test Method for Open-Hole Tensile Strength of Fiber-Reinforced Advanced Ceramic Composites
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C1922-23 - Standard Test Method for Water Retention of Hydraulic Cement-Based Mortars and Plasters by Way of Water Loss
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C1331-18 - Standard Practice for Measuring Ultrasonic Velocity in Advanced Ceramics with Broadband Pulse-Echo Cross-Correlation Method
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C1674-23 - Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Advanced Ceramics with Engineered Porosity (Honeycomb Cellular Channels) at Ambient Temperatures
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2016

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:C373 −16
Standard Test Methods for
Determination of Water Absorption and Associated
Properties by Vacuum Method for Pressed Ceramic Tiles
and Glass Tiles and Boil Method for Extruded Ceramic Tiles
1
and Non-tile Fired Ceramic Whiteware Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C373; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 3.4 Suspended Mass Container (if Determination of Sus-
pended Mass is Desired)—A glass beaker or similar container
1.1 These test methods covers procedures for determining
of such size and shape that the sample, when suspended from
water absorption, bulk density, apparent porosity, and apparent
2 the balance by the wire loop, specified in 3.3, is completely
specific gravity of non-tile fired unglazed ceramic whiteware
immersed in water with the sample and the wire loop com-
products, glazed or unglazed ceramic tiles, and glass tiles.
pletely free of contact with any part of the container.
1.2 The values stated in metric units are normative. The
3.5 Stainless Steel Boiling Container, suitable for boiling
values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to
water and with sufficient capacity to hold the test specimens
inch-poundunitsthatareprovidedforinformationonlyandare
and quantity of water specified in 5.2. The container shall be
not normative.
equipped with a loose removable cover which does not allow
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
pressure to build.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.6 Deionized (DI) or Distilled Water.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.7 Microfiber Cloth.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.8 Heat Source,suchasahotplate,burner,orequivalentto
2. Significance and Use
heat the water to boiling.
2.1 Measurementofdensity,porosity,andspecificgravityis
3.9 Desiccator—a sealed chamber containing desiccants
a tool for determining the degree of maturation of a ceramic
which is of sufficient size and capacity to allow specimens to
body, or for determining structural properties that may be
cool while preventing the specimens from absorbing moisture
required for a given application.
from ambient air.
3.10 Pressure Vessel, capable of holding a vacuum of 91 6
3. Apparatus and Materials
5 kPa (26.9 6 1.5 inHg) below standard atmospheric pressure.
3.1 Balance or scale,ofadequatecapacity,suitabletoweigh
The vessel shall be large enough to hold the required number
accurately to 0.01 g (0.00002 lb).
of tile samples and the necessary volume of water to cover the
3.2 Oven, capable of maintaining a temperature of 150 6
tiles during testing.Amodified 41.5 quart pressure cooker has
5°C (302 6 9°F).
been found to meet these requirements.
3.3 Wire Loop, Halter, or Basket, capable of supporting
3.11 Vacuum Pump, capable of achieving and holding the
specimens under water for making suspended mass measure-
required vacuum.
ments.
3.12 Gauge, capable of measuring the required vacuum.
Gaugeshallbeinstalledonamanifoldconnecteddirectlytothe
pressure vessel. Readings from any gauges present on the
1
These test methods is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C21 on
pump are not acceptable forms of measurement.
Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee C21.03 on Methods for Whitewares and Environmental Concerns.
3.13 Hoses, fittings, valves, solenoids, or combinations
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2016. Published August 2016. Originally
thereof, assembled in such a way to allow manually or
approved in 1955. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C373–2014a. DOI:
10.1520/C0373-16.
automatic operation.
2
Non-tile ceramic whitewares are ceramic whitewares as defined in ASTM
Terminology Standard C242, excluding ceramic tiles. 3.14 Timer, accurate to 1 second.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C373−16
4. Test Specimens:
4.1 Non-tile Fired Ceramic Whitewares:
4.1.1 At least five representative test specimens shall be
selected that have not been previously tested. The specimens
shallbeunglazedandshallhaveasmuchofthesurfacefreshly
fractured as is practical. Sharp edges or corners shall be
removed. 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: FIG. 2
...

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: C373 − 14a C373 − 16
Standard Test MethodMethods for
Water Absorption, Bulk Density, Apparent Porosity, and
Apparent Specific Gravity of Fired Whiteware Products,
Ceramic Tiles,Determination of Water Absorption and
Associated Properties by Vacuum Method for Pressed
Ceramic Tiles and Glass Tiles and Boil Method for Extruded
Ceramic Tiles and Non-tile Fired Ceramic Whiteware
1
Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C373; 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 ThisThese test methodmethods covers procedures for determining water absorption, bulk density, apparent porosity, and
2
apparent specific gravity of non-tile fired unglazed ceramic whiteware products, glazed or unglazed ceramic tiles, and glass tiles.
1.2 The values stated in metric units are normative. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound
units that are provided for information only and are not normative.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Significance and Use
2.1 Measurement of density, porosity, and specific gravity is a tool for determining the degree of maturation of a ceramic body,
or for determining structural properties that may be required for a given application.
3. Apparatus and Materials
3.1 Balance, Balance or scale, of adequate capacity, suitable to weigh accurately to 0.01 g (0.00002 lb).
3.2 Oven, capable of maintaining a temperature of 150 6 5°C (302 6 9°F).
3.3 Wire Loop, Halter, or Basket, capable of supporting specimens under water for making suspended mass measurements.
3.4 Suspended Mass Container (if Determination of Suspended Mass is Desired)—A glass beaker or similar container of such
size and shape that the sample, when suspended from the balance by the wire loop, specified in 3.3, is completely immersed in
water with the sample and the wire loop completely free of contact with any part of the container.
3.5 Stainless Steel Boiling Container, suitable for boiling water and with sufficient capacity to hold the test specimens and
quantity of water specified in 5.2. The container shall be equipped with a loose removable cover which does not allow pressure
to build.
3.6 Deionized (DI) or Distilled Water.
3.7 Leather Chamois.Microfiber Cloth.
3.8 Heat Source, such as a hot plate, burner, or equivalent to heat the water to boiling.
1
ThisThese test methodmethods is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C21 on Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee C21.03 on Methods for Whitewares and Environmental Concerns.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2014Aug. 1, 2016. Published December 2014August 2016. Originally approved in 1955. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as
C373 – 2014.C373 – 2014a. DOI: 10.1520/C0373-14A.10.1520/C0373-16.
2
Non-tile ceramic whitewares are ceramic whitewares as defined in ASTM Terminology Standard C242, excluding ceramic tiles.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C373 − 16
3.9 Desiccator—a sealed chamber containing desiccants which is of sufficient size and capacity to allow specimens to cool
while preventing the specimens from absorbing moisture from ambient air.
3.10 Pressure Vessel, capable of holding a vacuum of 91 6 5 kPa (26.9 6 1.5 inHg) below standard atmospheric pressure. The
vessel shall be large enough to hold the required number of tile samples and the necessary volume of water to cover the tiles during
testing. A modified 41.5 quart pressure cooker has been found to meet these requirements.
3.11 Vacuum Pump, capable of achieving and holding the required vacuum.
3.12 Gauge, capable of measuring the required vacuum. Gauge shall be installed on a manifold connected directly to the
pressure vessel. Readings from any gauges present on the pump are not acceptable forms of measurement.
3.13 Hoses, fittings, valves, solenoids, or combinati
...