ASTM C121/C121M-20

Standard Test Method for Water Absorption of Slate

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is useful in indicating the differences in water absorption of slates. This test method also provides one element in the comparison of slates.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the water absorption of slate.  
1.2 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the 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: 14-May-2020
• ICS: 91.100.15 - Mineral materials and products
• Technical Committee: C18 - Dimension Stone
• Drafting Committee: C18.01 - Test Methods

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: C121/C121M − 20
Standard Test Method for
1
Water Absorption of Slate
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C121/C121M; 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.
INTRODUCTION
It is often desirable to gain some idea of the porosity of a material in question. Actual
determinations of the pore space require the use of rather elaborate and refined equipment as well as
considerable precision in carrying out the tests. For comparative purposes the absorption test affords
a simple and sufficiently accurate means of obtaining the desired information.As applied to slate this
test requires somewhat more care and precision than many other materials because of its dense nature
and, consequently, the small quantities to be dealt with. Furthermore, the cleavage of slate—that
property which permits it to be split into thin sheets of uniform thickness—must be taken into
consideration when this test is made. On this account misleading results are often obtained on cubical
specimens due to accidental cleavage cracks in the specimens. The shapes of specimens and larger
number of specimens recommended in the following procedure are intended to eliminate to a large
extent the inconsistent results which may be obtained on this material.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the water 2.1 ASTM Standards:
absorption of slate. C119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone
C1799 Guide to Dimension Stone Test Specimen Sampling
1.2 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
and Preparation
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents;
3. Terminology
therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other.
3.1 Definitions—All definitions are in accordance with Ter-
Combining values from the two systems may result in non-
minology C119.
conformance with the standard.
4. Significance and Use
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 This test method is useful in indicating the differences in
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
water absorption of slates. This test method also provides one
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
element in the comparison of slates.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Test Specimens
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
5.1 The test specimens shall consist of square or rectangular
3 5
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
slabs from ⁄16 to ⁄16 in. [5 to 8 mm] in thickness and not less
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
than 4 in. [100 mm] on any side.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5.2 Not less than six specimens shall be prepared from each
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
sample of slate, the sample being considered as any number of
pieces selected to represent a definite part or grade of the
deposit.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C18 on
Dimension Stone and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C18.01 on Test
2
Methods. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 15, 2020. Published June 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1925 as C121–25T. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
C121/C121M–15. DOI: 10.1520/C0121_C0121M-20. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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C121/C121M − 20
6. Sampling with water, and boil for 8 h. Before the final weighing, cool the
specimens by allowing tap water to flow over them for at least
6.1 Select the sample to represent a true average of the type
30 min.
or grade of stone under consideration and of the quality
supplied to the market under the type designation to be tested.
NOTE 3—Boiling for 8 h has been found to give practically the same
saturation as immersion for 48 h.
The sample may be selected by the purchaser or his authorized
representativefromthequ
...

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: C121/C121M − 15 C121/C121M − 20
Standard Test Method for
1
Water Absorption of Slate
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C121/C121M; 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.
INTRODUCTION
It is often desirable to gain some idea of the porosity of a material in question. Actual
determinations of the pore space require the use of rather elaborate and refined equipment as well as
considerable precision in carrying out the tests. For comparative purposes the absorption test affords
a simple and sufficiently accurate means of obtaining the desired information. As applied to slate this
test requires somewhat more care and precision than many other materials because of its dense nature
and, consequently, the small quantities to be dealt with. Furthermore, the cleavage of slate—that
property which permits it to be split into thin sheets of uniform thickness—must be taken into
consideration when this test is made. On this account misleading results are often obtained on cubical
specimens due to accidental cleavage cracks in the specimens. The shapes of specimens and larger
number of specimens recommended in the following procedure are intended to eliminate to a large
extent the inconsistent results which may be obtained on this material.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the water absorption of slate.
1.2 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated
in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values
from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the 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 consult and 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone
C1799 Guide to Dimension Stone Test Specimen Sampling and Preparation
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—All definitions are in accordance with Terminology C119.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This test method is useful in indicating the differences in water absorption of slates. This test method also provides one
element in the comparison of slates.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C18 on Dimension Stone and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C18.01 on Test Methods.
Current edition approved Oct. 15, 2015May 15, 2020. Published November 2015June 2020. Originally approved in 1925 as C121–25T. Last previous edition approved
ε1
in 20092015 as C121C121/C121M–09–15. . DOI: 10.1520/C0121_C0121M-15.10.1520/C0121_C0121M-20.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C121/C121M − 20
5. Test Specimens
3 5
5.1 The test specimens shall consist of square or rectangular slabs from ⁄16 to ⁄16 in. [5 to 8 mm] in thickness and not less than
4 in. [100 mm] on any side.
5.2 Not less than six specimens shall be prepared from each sample of slate, the sample being considered as any number of
pieces selected to represent a definite part or grade of the deposit.
6. Sampling
6.1 Select the sample to represent a true average of the type or grade of stone under consideration and of the quality supplied
to the market under the type designation to be tested. The sample may be selected by the purchaser or his authorized representative
from the quarried stone or t
...