ASTM C373-14

Standard Test Method for Water Absorption, Bulk Density, Apparent Porosity, and Apparent Specific Gravity of Fired Whiteware Products, Ceramic Tiles, and Glass Tiles

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 This test method covers procedures for determining water absorption, bulk density, apparent porosity, and apparent specific gravity of fired unglazed 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2014
• 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 C373-88(2006) - Standard Test Method for Water Absorption, Bulk Density, Apparent Porosity, and Apparent Specific Gravity of Fired Whiteware Products
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014
• Replaced By: 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-Dec-2014
• 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-Mar-2014
• Referred By: ASTM C1331-18 - Standard Practice for Measuring Ultrasonic Velocity in Advanced Ceramics with Broadband Pulse-Echo Cross-Correlation Method
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014
• 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-Mar-2014
• Referred By: ASTM C1470-20 - Standard Guide for Testing the Thermal Properties of Advanced Ceramics
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014
• Referred By: ASTM C515-13(2018) - Standard Specification for Chemical-Resistant Ceramic Tower Packings
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014
• Referred By: ASTM C1525-18 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Thermal Shock Resistance for Advanced Ceramics by Water Quenching
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D116-86(2020) - Standard Test Methods for Vitrified Ceramic Materials for Electrical Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014
• 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-Mar-2014
• Referred By: ASTM F1538-03(2017) - Standard Specification for Glass and Glass Ceramic Biomaterials for Implantation
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014
• Referred By: ASTM C708-16 - Standard Specification for Nuclear-Grade Beryllium Oxide Powder
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014
• Referred By: ASTM C1869-18(2023) - Standard Test Method for Open-Hole Tensile Strength of Fiber-Reinforced Advanced Ceramic Composites
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014
• Referred By: ASTM F603-12(2020) - Standard Specification for High-Purity Dense Aluminum Oxide for Medical Application
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014

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 −14
StandardTest Method for
Water Absorption, Bulk Density, Apparent Porosity, and
Apparent Specific Gravity of Fired Whiteware Products,
1
Ceramic Tiles, and Glass Tiles
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 immersed in water with the sample and the wire loop com-
pletely free of contact with any part of the container.
1.1 This test method covers procedures for determining
water absorption, bulk density, apparent porosity, and apparent
3.5 Stainless Steel Boiling Container, suitable for boiling
specific gravity of fired unglazed whiteware products, glazed
water and with sufficient capacity to hold the test specimens
or unglazed ceramic tiles, and glass tiles.
and quantity of water specified in 5.2. The container shall be
equipped with a loose removable cover which does not allow
1.2 The values stated in metric units are normative. The
pressure to build.
values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to
inch-poundunitsthatareprovidedforinformationonlyandare
3.6 Deionized (DI) Water.
not normative.
3.7 Leather Chamois.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.8 HeatSource,suchasahotplate,burner,orequivalentto
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
heat the water to boiling.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.9 Desiccator, a sealed chamber containing desiccants
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
which is of sufficient size and capacity to allow specimens to
cool while preventing the specimens from absorbing moisture
2. Significance and Use
from ambient air.
2.1 Measurementofdensity,porosity,andspecificgravityis
a tool for determining the degree of maturation of a ceramic
4. Test Specimens
body, or for determining structural properties that may be
4.1 Ceramic Whitewares
required for a given application.
4.1.1 At least five representative test specimens shall be
3. Apparatus and Materials
selected that have not been previously tested. The specimens
shallbeunglazedandshallhaveasmuchofthesurfacefreshly
3.1 Balance, of adequate capacity, suitable to weigh accu-
fractured as is practical. Sharp edges or corners shall be
rately to 0.01 g (0.00002 lb).
removed. The specimens shall contain no cracks. The indi-
3.2 Oven, capable of maintaining a temperature of 150 6
vidual test specimens shall weigh at least 50 g.
5°C (302 6 9°F).
4.2 Ceramic Tiles and Glass Tiles
3.3 Wire Loop, Halter, or Basket, capable of supporting
4.2.1 The specimens shall contain no visible damage or
specimens under water for making suspended mass measure-
cracks prior to testing. At least five representative test speci-
ments.
mens shall be selected that have not been previously tested.
3.4 Suspended Mass Container (If Determination of Sus-
Cutting of specimens, as described in the following sections,
pended Mass is Desired)—A glass beaker or similar container
shall consist of scoring and snapping, or sawing when impos-
of such size and shape that the sample, when suspended from
sible to score and snap with conventional tile scoring equip-
the balance by the wire loop, specified in 3.3, is completely
ment (as can be the case with some glass tiles and highly
textured and structured porcelain tiles).
1
4.2.2 For tiles less than or equal to 205 × 205 mm (8 × 8
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC21onCeramic
Whitewares and Related Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
in.), specimens shall be cut in half, within 10 mm (0.4 in).
C21.03 on Methods for Whitewares and Environmental Concerns.
Specimens shall be cut perpendicular to the longest side if the
Current edition approved March 1, 2014. Published March 2014. Originally
specimen has unequal sides. Select one half at random from
approved in 1955. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as C373–88(2006).
DOI: 10.1520/C0373-14. each specimen for testing.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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C373−14
4.2.3 Fortilesgreaterthan205×205mm(8×8in.)andless neededtoensurethespecimensarecompletelyimmersedatall
than or equal to 410 × 410 mm (16 × 16 in.), each specimen times. Ensure that the boil is maintained throughout the test
shall be cut into four equal quadrants, within 10 mm (0.4 in). andthattheadditionofwaterdoesnothindertheboil.Afterthe
Select one quadrant at random from each specimen for tes
...

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 − 88 (Reapproved 2006) C373 − 14
Standard Test Method for
Water Absorption, Bulk Density, Apparent Porosity, and
Apparent Specific Gravity of Fired Whiteware
1
ProductsProducts, Ceramic Tiles, and Glass Tiles
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 This test method covers procedures for determining water absorption, bulk density, apparent porosity, and apparent specific
gravity of fired unglazed whiteware products.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, of adequate capacity, suitable to weigh accurately to 0.01 g.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 , Basket, capable of supporting specimens under water for making suspended mass
measurements.
3.4 Container—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 being completely free of contact with any part of the container.
3.5 Pan, Stainless Steel Boiling Container, suitable for boiling water and with sufficient capacity to hold the test specimens and
quantity of water specified in 5.2which the specimens may be boiled. The container shall be equipped with a loose removable
cover which does not allow pressure to build.
3.6 Distilled Deionized (DI) Water.
3.7 Leather Chamois.
3.8 Heat Source, such as a hot plate, burner, or equivalent to heat the water to boiling.
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.
4. Test Specimens
4.1 At least five representative test specimens shall be selected. The specimens shall be unglazed and shall have as much of the
surface freshly fractured as is practical. Sharp edges or corners shall be removed. The specimens shall contain no cracks. The
individual test specimens shall weigh at least 50 g.Ceramic Whitewares
1
This test method 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 Feb. 15, 2006March 1, 2014. Published February 2006March 2014. Originally approved in 1955. Last previous edition approved in 19992006
as C373 – 88 (1999).(2006). DOI: 10.1520/C0373-88R06.10.1520/C0373-14.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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C373 − 14
4.1.1 At least five representative test specimens shall be selected that have not been previously tested. The specimens shall be
unglazed and shall have as much of the surface freshly fractured as is practical. Sharp edges or corners shall be removed. The
specimens shall contain no cracks. The individual test specimens shall weigh at least 50 g.
4.2 Ceramic Tiles and Glass Tiles
4.2.1 The specimens shall contain no visible damage or cracks prior to testing. At least five representative test specimens shall
be selected that have not been previously tested. Cutting of specimens, as described in the following sections, shall consist of
scoring and snapping, or sawing when impossible to score and snap wit
...