ASTM C325-07(2022)

Standard Guide for Wet Sieve Analysis of Ceramic Whiteware Clays

ABSTRACT
This guide covers the wet sieve analysis of ceramic whiteware clays. This guide is intended for use in testing shipments of clay as well as for plant control tests. The apparatus to be used include stirring device and sieves. The following procedure shall be followed in the analysis of the ceramic whiteware clays: transferring of duplicate portions of the dried clay sample; agitating of the slurry by means of a mechanical stirrer to ensure complete separation of clay from nonplastic impurities; transferring of the slaked and stirred sample, without loss, to the finest sieve to be employed in the test; washing of the residue remaining on the finest sieve into the pan; nesting the top sieve on the pan, which shall contain a certain amount of clear water; refilling of the pan with the proper amount of water, then nesting the top sieve and its residue on the pan; carefully blotting each sieve on its underside with a soft, damp sponge, and placing the sieve either in a drying oven or under infrared lamps until thoroughly dry; nesting the dried residues and sieves in the proper order, with due care to prevent dusting of the residues; and separating the nested sieves and carefully brushing the residue from each onto a weighing paper.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the wet sieve analysis of ceramic whiteware clays. This guide is intended for use in testing shipments of clay as well as for plant control tests.  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
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: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2022
• ICS: 81.060.10 - Raw materials
• Technical Committee: C21 - Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products
• Drafting Committee: C21.04 - Raw Materials

Relations

• Refers: ASTM C322-09(2014) - Standard Practice for Sampling Ceramic Whiteware Clays
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Refers: ASTM E11-13 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM E11-09e1 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-May-2009
• Refers: ASTM C322-09 - Standard Practice for Sampling Ceramic Whiteware Clays
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2009
• Refers: ASTM E11-04 - Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Refers: ASTM C322-03 - Standard Practice for Sampling Ceramic Whiteware Clays
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2003
• Refers: ASTM E11-95 - Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 10-May-2001
• Refers: ASTM E11-01 - Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 10-May-2001
• Refers: ASTM C322-82(1997)e1 - Standard Practice for Sampling Ceramic Whiteware Clays
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1997

Overview

ASTM C325-07(2022): Standard Guide for Wet Sieve Analysis of Ceramic Whiteware Clays provides a standardized procedure for evaluating the particle size distribution of ceramic whiteware clays. Developed and maintained by ASTM International, this guide details a reliable wet sieve testing method, ensuring quality control both for shipped clay consignments and ongoing plant operations. The wet sieve analysis enables consistent assessment of clay composition, which is essential for manufacturers and laboratories involved in ceramic whiteware production.

Key Topics

• Scope of Wet Sieve Analysis

  • Designed exclusively for testing ceramic whiteware clays.
  • Applicable to shipment inspections and in-process plant control.
  • All measurements default to inch-pound units for consistency.

• Testing Apparatus

  • Mechanical stirring device for thorough sample agitation.
  • ASTM-compliant wire mesh sieves, specified by mesh size.
  • Nesting sieves with a pan and cover for systematic residue collection.

• Sample Preparation & Procedure

  • Standardized sampling and drying per ASTM C322.
  • Duplicate sample portions ensure test reliability.
  • Slaking (wetting), mechanical stirring, and sequential wet sieving remove nonplastic impurities.
  • Careful washing, drying, and weighing of sieve residues.

• Data Interpretation

  • Calculation and reporting of sample composition as the percentage retained on each sieve.
  • Results reported on a dry weight basis with precise accuracy.

• Safety Considerations

  • Users are responsible for establishing safety, health, and environmental precautions according to operational and regulatory requirements.

Applications

The wet sieve analysis guide is critical for:

• Quality Assurance in Ceramic Manufacturing

  • Assists manufacturers in verifying the uniformity and suitability of whiteware clays before and during production.
  • Facilitates raw material selection by providing reliable data on clay particle size distribution.

• Laboratory Testing & Material Research

  • Enables research laboratories to assess material characteristics with a standardized approach.
  • Essential for comparative studies and developmental work involving ceramic clays.

• Shipment Inspection and Plant Control

  • Ensures conformity of incoming clay shipments to specified requirements.
  • Monitors ongoing production quality through regular plant control tests.

• Regulatory and Compliance Documentation

  • Supports compliance with national and international quality standards for ceramics.

Related Standards

For full compliance and best practices, ASTM C325-07(2022) is often used alongside the following standards:

• ASTM C322: Practice for Sampling Ceramic Whiteware Clays
  Defines proper methods for representative clay sampling prior to sieve analysis.

• ASTM E11: Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
  Establishes requirements for sieve construction and mesh tolerances.

These references ensure that wet sieve analyses are executed with both procedural and equipment consistency, delivering reproducible results essential for the ceramic whiteware industry.

---

Keywords: ASTM C325, wet sieve analysis, ceramic whiteware clays, particle size distribution, quality control, laboratory testing, material testing, sieve analysis standard, ASTM standards, ceramic manufacturing quality

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: C325 − 07 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Guide for
Wet Sieve Analysis of Ceramic Whiteware Clays
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C325; 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 200 (75-µm) and No. 325 (45-µm) sieves (Note 1). The wire
cloth for these sieves shall be woven (not twilled) and shall be
1.1 This guide covers the wet sieve analysis of ceramic
mounted in circular metal frames 8 in. (203 mm) in diameter,
whiteware clays. This guide is intended for use in testing
which shall be so constructed as to permit nesting of two or
shipments of clay as well as for plant control tests.
more sieves. A pan and cover for the sieves shall be provided.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
NOTE 1—Equivalent sieves from other standard series, such as theTyler
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
series, may also be used. If results are to be compared with those obtained
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
with sieves from theASTM series, it is important that the openings of the
and are not considered standard.
sieves used fall within the tolerances specified in Specification E11 for the
corresponding ASTM sieves.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Sampling
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 The sample shall be obtained in accordance with Prac-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
tice C322.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.2 The sample as received shall be placed in a drying oven
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
at 100 °C to 110 °C for a period of not less than 5 h prior to
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
testing.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 5. Procedure
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.1 Transfer duplicate portions, of approximately 250 g of
the dried clay sample, weighed to the nearest 0.1 g, to
2. Referenced Documents
containers of at least 2-L capacity. Wet the clay with 1 L of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
water and allow to slake for 2 h. If a free-flowing slurry is not
C322 Practice for Sampling Ceramic Whiteware Clays
produced by this treatment, add another 500 mL of water.
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
5.2 To ensure complete separation of clay from nonplastic
Sieves
impurities, agitate the slurry by means of a mechanical stirrer
(3.1). Continue the stirring between 5 and 10 min.
3. Apparatus
5.3 Transfer the slaked and stirred sample, without loss, to
3.1 Stirring Device—A mechanical stirrer with a three-
the finest sieve to be employed in the test, and wash by means
bladed propeller 2 in. (51 mm) in diameter and having a speed
of a small jet of water from a ⁄4-in. (6.4-mm) soft rubber hose
of approximately 1700 r/min, or the equivalent, shall be
attached to a water supply having a pressure not in excess of
provided.
that of an ordinary city main. The force of the jet may be
3.2 Sieves—The sieves shall conform to Specification E11
controlled by compressing the end of the hose between the
andshallincludetheNo.100(150-µm),No.140(106-µm),No.
thumb and forefinger. Take care to avoid loss of sample from
splashing. Continue washing until water passing through the
sieve shows only traces of sample. Should lumpy material
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C21 on Ceramic
remain on the screen, return the residue to the stirrer container
Whitewares and Related Products and is t
...