ASTM C373-18

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
3.1 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
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: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2018
• 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

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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 − 18
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. 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* 4. Apparatus and Materials
1.1 These test methods covers procedures for determining
4.1 Balance or scale, of adequate capacity, suitable to weigh
water absorption, bulk density, apparent porosity, and apparent
accurately to 0.01 g (0.00002 lb).
2
specific gravity of non-tile fired unglazed ceramic whiteware
4.2 Oven, capable of maintaining a temperature of 150 6
products, glazed or unglazed ceramic tiles, and glass tiles.
5°C (302 6 9°F).
1.2 The values stated in metric units are normative. The
4.3 Wire Loop, Halter, or Basket, capable of supporting
values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to
specimens under water for making suspended mass measure-
inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are
ments.
not normative.
4.4 Suspended Mass Container (if Determination of Sus-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
pended Mass is Desired)—A glass beaker or similar container
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
of such size and shape that the sample, when suspended from
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the balance by the wire loop, specified in 4.3, is completely
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
immersed in water with the sample and the wire loop com-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
pletely free of contact with any part of the container.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.5 Stainless Steel Boiling Container, suitable for boiling
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
water and with sufficient capacity to hold the test specimens
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
and quantity of water specified in 6.2. The container shall be
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
equipped with a loose removable cover which does not allow
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
pressure to build.
2. Referenced Documents
4.6 Deionized (DI) or Distilled Water.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.7 Microfiber Cloth.
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
4.8 Heat Source, such as a hot plate, burner, or equivalent to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
heat the water to boiling.
3. Significance and Use
4.9 Desiccator—a sealed chamber containing desiccants
3.1 Measurement of density, porosity, and specific gravity is
which is of sufficient size and capacity to allow specimens to
a tool for determining the degree of maturation of a ceramic
cool while preventing the specimens from absorbing moisture
body, or for determining structural properties that may be
from ambient air.
required for a given application.
4.10 Pressure Vessel, capable of holding a vacuum of 91 6
5 kPa (26.9 6 1.5 inHg) below standard atmospheric pressure.
1
These test methods is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C21 on The vessel shall be large enough to hold the required number
Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products and is the direct responsibility of
of tile samples and the necessary volume of water to cover the
Subcommittee C21.03 on Methods for Whitewares and Environmental Concerns.
tiles during testing. A modified 41.5 quart pressure cooker has
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2018. Published February 2018. Originally
been found to meet these requirements.
approved in 1955. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as C373 – 17. DOI:
10.1520/C0373-18.
2 4.11 Vacuum Pump, capable of achieving and holding the
Non-tile ceramic whitewares are ceramic whitewares as defined in ASTM
Terminology Standard C242, excluding ceramic tiles. required vacuum.
*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 − 18
4.12 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.
4.13 Hoses, fittings, valves, solenoids, or combinations
thereof,
...

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 − 17 C373 − 18
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. 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 These test methods covers procedures for determining water absorption, bulk density, apparent porosity, and apparent
2
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Significance and Use
3.1 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.
4. Apparatus and Materials
4.1 Balance or scale, of adequate capacity, suitable to weigh accurately to 0.01 g (0.00002 lb).
4.2 Oven, capable of maintaining a temperature of 150 6 5°C (302 6 9°F).
4.3 Wire Loop, Halter, or Basket, capable of supporting specimens under water for making suspended mass measurements.
4.4 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 4.3, is completely immersed in
water with the sample and the wire loop completely free of contact with any part of the container.
4.5 Stainless Steel Boiling Container, suitable for boiling water and with sufficient capacity to hold the test specimens and
quantity of water specified in 6.2. The container shall be equipped with a loose removable cover which does not allow pressure
to build.
4.6 Deionized (DI) or Distilled Water.
4.7 Microfiber Cloth.
1
These test methods 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 Sept. 1, 2017Feb. 1, 2018. Published September 2017February 2018. Originally approved in 1955. Last previous edition approved in 20162017
ε1
as C373 – 16C373 – 17. . DOI: 10.1520/C0373-17.10.1520/C0373-18.
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 − 18
4.8 Heat Source, such as a hot plate, burner, or equivalent to heat the water to boiling.
4.9 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.
4.10 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.
4.11 Vacuum Pump, cap
...