ASTM C279-23

Standard Specification for Chemical-Resistant Masonry Units

ABSTRACT
This specification covers chemical-resistant masonry units, specifically, solid kiln fired bricks and tiles made from clay, shale, or mixtures thereof, suitable for indoor and outdoor use in masonry construction subjected to chemical environments. The bricks and tiles are considered to be of three types as follows: Type I, for use where low absorption and high acid resistance are not major factors; Type II, for use where lower absorption and higher acid resistance are required; and Type III, for use where minimum absorption and maximum acid resistance are required. The masonry units shall undergo tests and adhere accordingly to the following physical and chemical requirements: water absorption, warpage, surface texture, size and dimension, flexural strength, modulus of rupture, sulfuric acid solubility, and percent weight loss.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers solid, kiln fired brick and tile made from clay, shale, or mixtures thereof, suitable for indoor and outdoor use in masonry construction subjected to chemical environments.  
1.2 The brick and tile covered herein are intended for use in chemical environments where resistance to thermal shock may be a consideration. The brick and tile are normally used with chemical-resistant mortars.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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-May-2023
• ICS: 91.100.15 - Mineral materials and products
• Technical Committee: C15 - Manufactured Masonry Units
• Drafting Committee: C15.02 - Brick and Structural Clay Tile

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: C279 − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Chemical-Resistant Masonry Units
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C279; 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* E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
Sieves
1.1 This specification covers solid, kiln fired brick and tile
made from clay, shale, or mixtures thereof, suitable for indoor
3. Terminology
and outdoor use in masonry construction subjected to chemical
3.1 Definitions—For definitions relating to chemical-
environments.
resistant masonry units, refer to Terminology C1232.
1.2 The brick and tile covered herein are intended for use in
4. Classification
chemical environments where resistance to thermal shock may
be a consideration. The brick and tile are normally used with
4.1 The physical and chemical properties of brick and tile
chemical-resistant mortars.
differ from supplier to supplier, mainly because their compo-
sition is determined by the source of raw materials. Regardless
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
of the differences, brick and tile are considered to be one of
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
three types and one of two classes as follows:
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
4.1.1 Type I—For use where low absorption and high acid
and are not considered standard.
resistance are not major factors.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1.2 Type II—For use where lower absorption and higher
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
acid resistance are required.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1.3 Type III—For use where minimum absorption and
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
maximum acid resistance are required.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- NOTE 1—Types I, II, and III may not differ significantly in thermal
shock resistance. The suitability of a given brick, for a particular
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
application should be determined at the time of purchase by agreement
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
between the purchaser and the supplier.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
NOTE 2—Types I and III were formerly designated Type “H” and “L”
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
respectively.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.1.4 Class S—For use in standard applications.
4.1.5 Class X—For use where a higher degree of precision
2. Referenced Documents
and lower permissible variation in size than that permitted for
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Class S is required.
C20 Test Methods for Apparent Porosity, Water Absorption,
5. Physical Properties and Chemical Resistance
Apparent Specific Gravity, and Bulk Density of Burned
Requirements
Refractory Brick and Shapes by Boiling Water
C67/C67M Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick
5.1 Strength—The brick and tile when tested in accordance
and Structural Clay Tile
with Test Methods C67/C67M shall conform to the require-
C1232 Terminology for Masonry
ments for modulus of rupture (flexural strength) for the type
specified, as prescribed in Table 1.
5.2 Water Absorption—The brick and tile when tested in
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on
accordance with Test Methods C20 shall conform to the
Manufactured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C15.02 on Brick and Structural Clay Tile.
requirements for water absorption (based on the 2 h boil) for
Current edition approved June 1, 2023. Published June 2023. Originally
the type specified, as prescribed in Table 1.
approved in 1951. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as C279 – 17. DOI:
10.1520/C0279-23.
5.3 Sulfuric Acid Solubility—When tested in accordance
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
with Section 8, the brick and tile shall conform to the
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
requirements for sulfuric acid solubility for the type specified,
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. as prescribed in Table 1.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © AST
...

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: C279 − 17 C279 − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Chemical-Resistant Masonry Units
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C279; 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 specification covers solid, kiln fired brick and tile made from clay, shale, or mixtures thereof, suitable for indoor and
outdoor use in masonry construction subjected to chemical environments (see Terminology environments.C1232).
1.2 The brick and tile covered herein are intended for use in chemical environments where resistance to thermal shock may be
a consideration. The brick and tile are normally used with chemical-resistant mortars.
1.3 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.
1.4 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 healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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:
C20 Test Methods for Apparent Porosity, Water Absorption, Apparent Specific Gravity, and Bulk Density of Burned Refractory
Brick and Shapes by Boiling Water
C67C67/C67M Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick and Structural Clay Tile
C1232 Terminology for Masonry
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions relating to chemical-resistant masonry units, refer to Terminology C1232.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on Manufactured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C15.02 on Brick
and Structural Clay Tile.
Current edition approved June 1, 2017June 1, 2023. Published July 2017June 2023. Originally approved in 1951. Last previous edition approved in 20132017 as
C279 – 13a.C279 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/C0279-17.10.1520/C0279-23.
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.
*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

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C279 − 23
4. Classification
4.1 The physical and chemical properties of brick and tile differ from supplier to supplier, mainly because their composition is
determined by the source of raw materials. Regardless of the differences, brick and tile are considered to be one of three types and
one of two classes as follows:
4.1.1 Type I—For use where low absorption and high acid resistance are not major factors.
4.1.2 Type II—For use where lower absorption and higher acid resistance are required.
4.1.3 Type III—For use where minimum absorption and maximum acid resistance are required.
NOTE 1—Types I, II, and III may not differ significantly in thermal shock resistance. The suitability of a given brick, for a particular application should
be determined at the time of purchase by agreement between the purchaser and the supplier.
NOTE 2—Types I and III were formerly designated Type “H” and “L” respectively.
4.1.4 Class S—For use in standard applications.
4.1.5 Class X—For use where a higher degree of precision and lower permissible variation in size than that permitted for Class
S is required.
5. Physical Properties and Chemical Resistance Requirements
5.1 Strength—The brick and tile when tested in accordance with Test Methods C67C67/C67M shall conform to the requirements
for modulus of rupture (flexural strength) for the type specified, as prescribed in Table 1.
5.2 Water Absorpt
...