ASTM D632-12(2020)e1

Standard Specification for Sodium Chloride

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
A1.2 Significance and Use
A1.2.1 The procedure for chemical analysis in this annex determines the total amount of chlorides present in the sample and expresses that value as sodium chloride.
A1.2.2 This rapid method of analysis does not distinguish between sodium chloride and other evaporite chloride compounds with ice-melting capabilities. Typical rock salt and solar salt sometimes contains small amounts of CaCl2, MgCl2, and KCl, depending on the source of the material. When this rapid method is used on continuing shipments from a known source, it will provide a fast, essentially accurate determination of the sodium chloride content of the material furnished. Thus, the need for testing by the referee method, Test Method E534, is reduced.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers sodium chloride intended for use as a deicer and for road construction or maintenance purposes.  
1.2 The values stated as SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.3 For purposes of determining conformance to this specification, values for chemical analysis shall be rounded to the nearest 0.1 %, and values for grading shall be rounded to the nearest 1 %, in accordance with the rounding method in Practice E29.  
1.4 The text of this specification references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes shall not be considered as requirements of the specification.  
1.5 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method in Annex A1 of this specification: 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 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-Oct-2020
• ICS: 71.060.50 - Salts
• ICS: 71.100.80 - Chemicals for purification of water
• Technical Committee: D04 - Road and Paving Materials
• Drafting Committee: D04.31 - Calcium and Sodium Chlorides and Other Deicing Materials

Relations

• Refers: ASTM C670-24a - Standard Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM C670-24 - Standard Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM E287-02(2019) - Standard Specification for Laboratory Glass Graduated Burets
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• Refers: ASTM E534-18 - Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Sodium Chloride
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2018
• Refers: ASTM E288-10(2017) - Standard Specification for Laboratory Glass Volumetric Flasks
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2017
• Refers: ASTM E11-13 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM C670-13 - Standard Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Refers: ASTM E534-13 - Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Sodium Chloride
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2013
• Refers: ASTM E287-02(2012) - Standard Specification for Laboratory Glass Graduated Burets
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Refers: ASTM C670-10 - Standard Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2010
• Refers: ASTM E288-10 - Standard Specification for Laboratory Glass Volumetric Flasks
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010
• Refers: ASTM E11-09e1 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-May-2009
• Refers: ASTM E29-08 - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM E287-02(2007) - Standard Specification for Laboratory Glass Graduated Burets
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2007
• Refers: ASTM E29-06b - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2006

Overview

ASTM D632-12(2020)e1 - Standard Specification for Sodium Chloride defines the requirements for sodium chloride primarily used as a deicer and in road construction or maintenance. Developed by ASTM International, this standard establishes minimum composition, grading, sampling, and testing methods to ensure consistent performance and quality in applications such as snow and ice removal and aggregate stabilization. Sodium chloride specified under this standard includes both naturally derived (rock salt) and synthetic (evaporated, solar) samples.

This standard is aligned with internationally recognized principles as recommended by the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee, supporting global supply chains and regulatory compliance.

Key Topics

• Types and Grades:
  • Type I: Mostly used as pavement deicer or for aggregate stabilization. Comes in Grade 1 (standard) and Grade 2 (special, typical for the western United States).
  • Type II: Used in aggregate stabilization or for purposes beyond deicing.
• Chemical Requirements:
  • Sodium chloride content must be a minimum of 95.0%.
• Physical (Grading) Requirements:
  • Specifies granulation for effective ice control and skid resistance.
• Testing and Analysis:
  • Rapid method for routine determination of total chlorides, expressed as sodium chloride, for ongoing shipments.
  • When disputes arise, referee testing using ASTM Test Method E534 is prescribed.
• Sampling and Inspection:
  • Requires at least three samples from each batch to ensure representative analysis and conformity.
• Packaging and Marking:
  • Sodium chloride is supplied in bulk or containers, clearly labelled with producer information and net weight.

Applications

This specification is essential for stakeholders in industries where consistent, reliable sodium chloride is required for:

• Deicing:
  • Used by municipalities, transportation departments, and contractors for snow and ice removal on roads, highways, and walkways. The grading requirements ensure optimal melting and skid resistance.
• Road Construction and Maintenance:
  • Sodium chloride assists in aggregate stabilization, promoting durable surfaces in varying climates.
• Procurement and Quality Assurance:
  • Enables purchasers to specify, inspect, and accept sodium chloride supplies based on internationally recognized and verifiable standards.
• Environmental and Safety Compliance:
  • While the rapid method delivers quick results, users must adhere to safety, health, and environmental regulations during handling and application.

Related Standards

• ASTM E534: Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Sodium Chloride - provides referee methods for precise verification of sodium chloride content.
• ASTM C136/C136M: Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates - referenced for grading determination.
• ASTM E11: Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves - for laboratory testing.
• ASTM E29: Practice for Rounding-off for Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications.

Practical Value

Implementing ASTM D632 ensures that sodium chloride used for ice removal and construction meets defined performance criteria, reducing the risk of product variability and promoting public safety. For procurement and technical teams, reference to this standard streamlines supplier evaluation, supports regulatory compliance, and facilitates efficient contract specification.

Using sodium chloride conforming to ASTM D632-12(2020)e1 provides value across the winter maintenance and infrastructure sectors by ensuring a balance of quality, safety, and efficiency in critical applications.

Keywords: sodium chloride standard, ASTM D632, road salt, deicer specification, snow and ice removal, aggregate stabilization, salt grading, chemical requirements, ASTM International, winter maintenance.

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.
´1
Designation: D632 −12 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Specification for
Sodium Chloride
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D632; 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.
ε NOTE—10.1 was revised editorially in December 2020.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This specification covers sodium chloride intended for 2.1 ASTM Standards:
use as a deicer and for road construction or maintenance C136/C136M Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and
purposes. Coarse Aggregates
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
1.2 The values stated as SI units are to be regarded as the
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
standard.
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
1.3 For purposes of determining conformance to this
Sieves
specification, values for chemical analysis shall be rounded to
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
the nearest 0.1 %, and values for grading shall be rounded to
Determine Conformance with Specifications
the nearest 1 %, in accordance with the rounding method in
E287 Specification for Laboratory Glass Graduated Burets
Practice E29.
E288 Specification for Laboratory Glass Volumetric Flasks
1.4 The text of this specification references notes and E534 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Sodium Chlo-
ride
footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and
footnotes shall not be considered as requirements of the
3. Classification
specification.
3.1 This specification covers sodium chloride obtained from
1.5 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
natural deposits (rock salt) or produced by man (evaporated,
test method in Annex A1 of this specification: This standard
solar, other) and recognizes two types and two grades as
does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any,
follows:
associatedwithitsuse.Itistheresponsibilityoftheuserofthis
3.1.1 Type I—Used primarily as a pavement deicer or in
standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environ-
aggregate stabilization.
mental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
3.1.1.1 Grade 1—Standard grading (Note 1).
limitations prior to use.
3.1.1.2 Grade 2—Special grading (Note 1).
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.2 Type II—Used in aggregate stabilization or for pur-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
poses other than deicing.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
NOTE 1—Grade 1 provides a particle grading for general application,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical and has been found by latest research to be most effective for ice control
and skid resistance under most conditions. Grade 2 is the grading typical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
of salt produced in the western United States and is available in states of
the Rocky Mountains region and west, which may be preferred by
purchasers in that area.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.31 on
Calcium and Sodium Chlorides and Other Deicing Materials. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2020. Published November 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D632 – 12. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D0632-12R20E01. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
´1
D632 − 12 (2020)
4. Chemical Requirements (6 in.). Sampling shall be done by means of a sampling thief or
other method that will ensure a representative cross section of
4.1 The sodium chloride shall conform to the following
the material.The sample increments shall be thoroughly mixed
requirement for chemical composition, except for the tolerance
to constitute a composite sample representative of the lot.
stated in 6.1 and 6.2:
NOTE 2—A lot may be an amount agreed upon between purchaser and
Sodium chloride (NaCl), min, % 95.0
supplier at the time of purchase.
5. Physical Requirements
9. Test Methods
5.1 Grading:
9.1 Chemical Analysis—Test for compliance with the re-
5.1.1 Type I—The grading of Type I sodium chloride, when
quirements for chemical composition in accordance with the
tested by means of laboratory sieves conforming to Specifica-
following methods:
tion E11, shall conform to the following requirements for
9.1.1 Routine Control—Use of the “Rapid Method” in
particle size distribution, except for the tolerance stated in 6.1
Annex A1 is permitted for routine control and approval.
and 6.1.1:
9.1.2 RefereeTesting—In case of controversy, determine the
Mass % Passing
chemical composition of the sample using the current version
Sieve Size Grade 1 Grade 2
of Test Method E534.
19.0mm( ⁄4 in.) . 100
12.5mm( ⁄2 in.) 100 .
9.2 Grading shall be determined by Test Method C136/
9.5mm( ⁄8 in.) 95 to 100 .
4.75 mm (No. 4) 20 to 90 20 to 100
C136M.
2.36 mm (No. 8) 10 to 60 10 to 60
600 µm (No. 30) 0 to 15 0 to 15
10. Inspection
5.1.2 Type II—The grading of Type II sodium chloride shall
10.1 The purchaser or purchaser’s representative shall be
conform to the grading requirements imposed or permitted by
provided free entry and necessary facilities at the production
the purchaser under conditions of the intended use.
plant or storage area if the purchaser elects to sample sodium
chloride at the source.
6. Permissible Variations
11. Rejection and Rehearing
6.1 In the case of sodium chloride sampled after delivery to
the purchaser, tolerances from the foregoing specified values
11.1 The sodium chloride shall be subject to rejection if it
shall be allowed as follows:
failstoconformtoanyoftherequirementsofthisspecification.
6.1.1 Grading—Five percentage points on the maximum
11.2 In the case of failure to meet the requirements on the
value for the range for each sieve size, except the 12.5 mm
basis of an initial sample of a lot represented, two additional
1 3 3
( ⁄2 in.) and 9.5 mm ( ⁄8 in.) for Grade 1 and 19.0 mm ( ⁄4 in.)
samples shall be taken from the lot and tested. If both
for Grade 2.
additional samples meet the requirements, the lot shall be
6.1.2 Chemical Composition—0.5 percentage point.
accepted.
7. Condition
12. Packaging and Marking
7.1 The sodium chloride shall arrive at the purchaser’s
12.1 The sodium chloride shall be delivered in bags or other
delivery point in a free-flowing and usable condition.
containers acceptable to the purchaser, or in bulk lots. The
name of the producer and the net weight shall be legibly
8. Sampling
marked on each bag or container, or in the case of bulk lots, on
8.1 Not less than three sample increments shall be selected the shipping or delivery report.
at random from the lot (Note 2). Each increment shall be
13. Keywords
obtained by scraping aside the top layer of material to a depth
of at least 25 mm (1 in.) and taking a 500-g (approximately 13.1 salt; snow and ice removal; sodium chloride; stabiliza-
1-lb) quantity of sodium chloride to a depth of at least 150 mm tion; winter maintenance
´1
D632 − 12 (2020)
ANNEX
(Mandatory Information)
A1. RAPID METHOD OF ANALYSIS FOR SODIUM CHLORIDE
A1.1 Scope splitter to approximately 500 g. Pulverize the reduced sample
to pass
...