ASTM C1721-22

Standard Guide for Petrographic Examination of Dimension Stone

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Petrographic examinations are made for the following purposes:  
4.1.1 Determine the physical and chemical characteristics (mineralogy, texture, and composition) of the stone specimen that may be observed by petrographic methods and that have a bearing on the performance of the material in its intended use.  
4.1.2 Describe and classify the minerals of the specimen.  
4.1.3 Classify the stone both commercially and geologically based on Terminology C119, recognizing the differences in nomenclature; and based on the following standards, as appropriate:
Specification C406
Specification C503
Specification C568
Specification C615
Specification C616
Specification C629
Specification C1526
Specification C1527  
4.1.4 Determine the relative amounts of the minerals of the specimen and constituents that have a bearing on the performance of the material in its intended use.  
4.1.5 Compare characteristics of the stone with specimens from one or more sources, for which test data or performance records are available.  
4.2 The petrographer should be told in as much detail as necessary, the purposes and objectives of the examination, the kind of information needed, and the extent of examination desired.  
4.2.1 Pertinent background information, including results of prior testing, such as physical and mechanical testing, should be made available. The petrographer’s advice and judgment should be sought regarding the extent of the examination. Available physical and mechanical testing may include the following:
Test Methods C97
Test Method C99
Test Method C170
Test Method C880
Test Methods C120
Test Method C121
Test Method C241
Test Method C1353  
Test Method C217  
4.3 This guide may form the basis for establishing arrangements between a purchaser of consulting petrographic service and the petrographer. In such a case, the purchaser and the consultant should together determine the kind, extent, and objectives of the examination and analy...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide outlines procedures for the petrographic examination of stone specimen material proposed for use as dimension stone used in construction.  
1.2 This guide outlines the extent to which petrographic techniques should be used, the selection of petrographic related properties that should be looked for, and the manner in which such techniques may be employed in the examination of dimension stone.  
1.3 The rock and mineral names given in Terminology C119 should be used, insofar as they are appropriate, in reports prepared in accordance with this guide.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 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-Apr-2022
• ICS: 07.060 - Geology. Meteorology. Hydrology
• 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: C1721 − 22
Standard Guide for
1
Petrographic Examination of Dimension Stone
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1721; 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 C120 Test Methods for Flexure Testing of Structural and
Roofing Slate
1.1 This guide outlines procedures for the petrographic
C121 Test Method for Water Absorption of Slate
examination of stone specimen material proposed for use as
C170 Test Method for Compressive Strength of Dimension
dimension stone used in construction.
Stone
1.2 This guide outlines the extent to which petrographic
C217 Test Methods for Weather Resistance of Slate
techniquesshouldbeused,theselectionofpetrographicrelated
C241 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Stone Sub-
properties that should be looked for, and the manner in which
jected to Foot Traffic
such techniques may be employed in the examination of
C406 Specification for Roofing Slate
dimension stone.
C503 Specification for Marble Dimension Stone
1.3 TherockandmineralnamesgiveninTerminologyC119 C568 Specification for Limestone Dimension Stone
C615 Specification for Granite Dimension Stone
should be used, insofar as they are appropriate, in reports
prepared in accordance with this guide. C616 Specification for Quartz-Based Dimension Stone
C629 Specification for Slate Dimension Stone
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
C880 Test Method for Flexural Strength of Dimension Stone
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
C1353 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Dimension
standard.
Stone Subjected to Foot Traffic Using a Rotary Platform
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Abraser
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
C1526 Specification for Serpentine Dimension Stone
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
C1527 Specification for Travertine Dimension Stone
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
C1528 Guide for Selection of Dimension Stone
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
C1799 Guide to Dimension Stone Test Specimen Sampling
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
and Preparation
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
E883 Guide for Reflected–Light Photomicrography
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 3. Summary of Guide
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1 The specific procedures employed in the petrographic
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
examination of any specimen will depend to a large extent on
the purpose of the examination and the nature of the specimen.
2. Referenced Documents
In most cases the examination will require the use of optical
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
microscopy. Complete petrographic examinations for particu-
C97 Test Methods forAbsorption and Bulk Specific Gravity
lar purposes and to investigate particular problems may require
of Dimension Stone
examination of selected constituents by means of additional
C99 Test Method for Modulus of Rupture of Dimension
procedures, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis for
Stone
crystalline structure and mineral identification, differential
C119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone
thermal analysis (DTA) for chemically and physically unstable
minerals, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy
1
(SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), or other
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C18 on Dimension
Stone and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C18.01 on Test Methods.
procedures.Althoughtheseproceduresarebeyondthescopeof
Current edition approved April 15, 2022. Published May 2022. Originally
this standard, these additional procedures may be more defini-
publishedasC1721-09.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2021asC1721-21a.DOI:
tive than visual microscopic methods in certain circumstances.
10.1520/C1721-22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3.2 Identification of the minerals, composition, rock fabric,
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
and structure of a specimen is a necessary step towards
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. recognition of the properties that may be expected to influence
Copyright
...

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: C1721 − 21a C1721 − 22
Standard Guide for
1
Petrographic Examination of Dimension Stone
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1721; 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 guide outlines procedures for the petrographic examination of stone specimen material proposed for use as dimension
stone used in construction.
1.2 This guide outlines the extent to which petrographic techniques should be used, the selection of petrographic related properties
that should be looked for, and the manner in which such techniques may be employed in the examination of dimension stone.
1.3 The rock and mineral names given in Terminology C119 should be used, insofar as they are appropriate, in reports prepared
in accordance with this guide.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 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.
1.6 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:
C97 Test Methods for Absorption and Bulk Specific Gravity of Dimension Stone
C99 Test Method for Modulus of Rupture of Dimension Stone
C119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone
C120 Test Methods for Flexure Testing of Structural and Roofing Slate
C121 Test Method for Water Absorption of Slate
C170 Test Method for Compressive Strength of Dimension Stone
C217 Test Methods for Weather Resistance of Slate
C241 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Stone Subjected to Foot Traffic
C406 Specification for Roofing Slate
C503 Specification for Marble Dimension Stone
C568 Specification for Limestone Dimension Stone
1
This guide 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. 1, 2021April 15, 2022. Published November 2021May 2022. Originally published as C1721-09. Last previous edition approved in 2021
as C1721-21.-21a. DOI: 10.1520/C1721-21A.10.1520/C1721-22.
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 ----------------------
C1721 − 22
C615 Specification for Granite Dimension Stone
C616 Specification for Quartz-Based Dimension Stone
C629 Specification for Slate Dimension Stone
C880 Test Method for Flexural Strength of Dimension Stone
C1353 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Dimension Stone Subjected to Foot Traffic Using a Rotary Platform Abraser
C1526 Specification for Serpentine Dimension Stone
C1527 Specification for Travertine Dimension Stone
C1528 Guide for Selection of Dimension Stone
C1799 Guide to Dimension Stone Test Specimen Sampling and Preparation
E883 Guide for Reflected–Light Photomicrography
3. Summary of Guide
3.1 The specific procedures employed in the petrographic examination of any specimen will depend to a large extent on the
purpose of the examination and the nature of the specimen. In most cases the examination will require the use of optical
microscopy. Complete petrographic examinations for particular purposes and to investigate particular problems may require
examination of selected constituents by means of additional procedures, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis for crystalline
structure and mineral identification, differential thermal analysis (DTA) for chemically and physically unstable minerals, infrared
spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (ED
...