ASTM C1777-13
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Rapid Determination of the Methylene Blue Value for Fine Aggregate or Mineral Filler Using a Colorimeter
Standard Test Method for Rapid Determination of the Methylene Blue Value for Fine Aggregate or Mineral Filler Using a Colorimeter
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is used to determine rapidly the amount of methylene blue adsorbed by a specimen of fine aggregate or mineral filler. The result is reported as a methylene blue value in units of mg of methylene blue adsorbed per g of fine aggregate or mineral filler. The methylene blue value is a function of the amount and characteristics of clay minerals present in the test specimen. High methylene blue values indicate increased potential for diminished fine aggregate or mineral filler performance in a cementitious mixture due to the presence of clays. Note 1—Results from this test method are not expected to be correlated with those obtained using AASHTO T 330 or EN 933-9. These three test methods are likely to give very different numerical values even though the units are the same. The AASHTO T 330 test is performed only on the fraction of an aggregate passing the 75 μm sieve, the EN 933-9 test is performed only on the fraction finer than 2 mm, and this test is performed on the fraction finer than the 4.75 mm sieve. Therefore, when testing the same fine aggregate source, the AASHTO test method would give the highest methylene blue value because any clay present in the specimen would be concentrated in the fraction finer than the 75 μm sieve. The AASHTO and EN test methods do not take into account the amount of material passing the 75 μm sieve or 2 mm sieve, respectively. For example, a fine aggregate with high methylene blue value measured by the AASHTO method but low percentage passing the 75 μm sieve may have less effect on concrete performance than a fine aggregate with low methylene blue value measured by the AASHTO method but a high percentage passing the 75 μm sieve. In contrast, this test method expresses methylene blue value based on the entire fine aggregate or mineral filler specimen. Additionally, the AASHTO and EN test methods use titration to determine the amount of methylene blue of known concentration that is adsorbed by a specimen and require ...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides a rapid test to determine the amount of methylene blue adsorbed by a specimen of fine aggregate or mineral filler and can be used both in the laboratory and in the field.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: C1777 − 13
StandardTest Method for
Rapid Determination of the Methylene Blue Value for Fine
Aggregate or Mineral Filler Using a Colorimeter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1777; 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 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method provides a rapid test to determine the 3.1 Definitions:
amount of methylene blue adsorbed by a specimen of fine 3.1.1 Fordefinitionsoftermsusedinthisstandard,referto
aggregate or mineral filler and can be used both in the Terminology C125.
laboratory and in the field.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as 3.2.1 mineral filler, n—a finely divided mineral product at
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this least 65 % of which passes the 75-µm sieve.
standard.
4. Summary of Test Method
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 A specimen of fine aggregate or mineral filler is com-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- bined with a methylene blue solution of known concentration
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- and mixed for a prescribed period of time. The specimen
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. adsorbs some of the methylene blue from solution. The
resultingmixtureisfilteredandaportionofthefilteredsolution
2. Referenced Documents
isdilutedbyafixedamount.Acolorimeterisusedtodetermine
the absorbance of the diluted solution, from which the concen-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tration of methylene blue prior to dilution is calculated. The
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
change in concentration of methylene blue before and after
gregates
mixing with fine aggregate or mineral filler is converted to a
C702 PracticeforReducingSamplesofAggregatetoTesting
methylene blue value and reported in units of mg/g.
Size
D75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates
5. Significance and Use
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
Sieves
5.1 Thistestmethodisusedtodeterminerapidlytheamount
2.2 Other Standards:
of methylene blue adsorbed by a specimen of fine aggregate or
AASHTO T330 Standard Method of Test for the Qualitative
mineral filler. The result is reported as a methylene blue value
Detection of Harmful Clays of the Smectite Group in
in units of mg of methylene blue adsorbed per g of fine
Aggregates Using Methylene Blue aggregate or mineral filler. The methylene blue value is a
EN 933-9 Tests for geometrical properties of aggregates.
function of the amount and characteristics of clay minerals
Part 9: Assessment of fines – Methylene blue test present in the test specimen. High methylene blue values
indicate increased potential for diminished fine aggregate or
mineral filler performance in a cementitious mixture due to the
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
presence of clays.
Concrete and ConcreteAggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.20 on Normal Weight Aggregates.
NOTE1—Resultsfromthistestmethodarenotexpectedtobecorrelated
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2013. Published November 2013. DOI:
with those obtained using AASHTO T 330 or EN 933-9. These three test
10.1520/C1777-13
methods are likely to give very different numerical values even though the
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
units are the same. The AASHTO T 330 test is performed only on the
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
fraction of an aggregate passing the 75 µm sieve, the EN 933-9 test is
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
performed only on the fraction finer than 2 mm, and this test is performed
the ASTM website.
3 on the fraction finer than the 4.75 mm sieve. Therefore, when testing the
Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation
same fine aggregate source, the AASHTO test method would give the
Officials (AASHTO), 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001,
highest methylene blue value because any clay present in the specimen
http://www.transportation.org.
Available from European Committee for Standardization,Avenue Marnix 17, would be concentrated in the fraction finer than the 75 µm sieve. The
B-1000 Brussels, Belgium. AASHTO and EN test methods do not take into account the amount of
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C1777 − 13
material passing the 75 µm sieve or 2 mm sieve, respectively. For
8.2 Purity of water—references to water shall be understood
example,afineaggregatewithhighmethylenebluevaluemeasuredbythe
to mean distilled or deionized water.
AASHTO method but low percentage passing the 75 µm sieve may have
8.3 Methylene blue test solution—a 0.50 % mass concentra-
less effect on concrete performance than a fine aggregate with low
methylene blue value measured by the AASHTO method but a high
tion methylene blue solution based on mass of trihydrate
percentagepassingthe75µmsieve.Incontrast,thistestmethodexpresses
methylene blue in water.
methylene blue value based on the entire fine aggregate or mineral filler
specimen.Additionally, theAASHTO and EN test methods use titration to
NOTE 4—Methylene blue is available in both anhydrous and trihydrate
determine the amount of methylene blue of known concentration that is
form and can also be obtained in solution form. This test is based on the
adsorbed by a specimen and require the operator to visually determine the
mass of the trihydrate form.
end point of the test. In contrast, this test method uses a colorimeter to
detect the change in concentration of methylene blue solution before and
9. Sampling, Test Specimens, and Test Units
after being mixed with the fine aggregate or mineral filler specimen.
NOTE 2—Recommendations for maximum methylene blue values for 9.1 Sample fine aggregate in accordance to Practice D75.
specific applications are not provided in this test method. Maximum
9.2 Thoroughly mix the sample and reduce it as necessary
methylene blue values should be established based on successful perfor-
using the applicable procedures in Practice C702.
mance of fine aggregate or mineral filler in the applications under
consideration.
9.3 If it appears necessary, dampen the material to avoid
segregation or loss of fines during specimen preparation.
6. Interferences
9.4 Obtain at least 30 g of material passing the 4.75-mm
6.1 Methylene blue will degrade when exposed to light.
sieve in the following manner:
Store in darkness. No appreciable degradation occurs during
9.4.1 Separate the sample on the 4.75-mm sieve by means
the time it takes to complete the test method.
of a lateral and vertical motion of the sieve, accompanied by a
6.2 Methylene blue will stain glassware and plastic ware.
jarring action so as to keep the sample moving continuously
Therefore, do not reuse such apparatus.
over the surface of the sieve. Continue the sieving until not
more than 1 mass % of the residue passes the sieve during the
7. Apparatus
1-min sieving operation. Perform the sieving operation either
7.1 4.75-mm sieve conforming to E11.
by hand or by a mechanical apparatus. When thoroughness of
7.2 Mass Balance having a capacity of 50 g or more and
mechanical sieving is being determined, test by the hand
capable of measuring to the nearest 0.1 g or less.
method described above using a single layer of material on the
sieve.
7.3 Micropipette capable of measuring to the nearest 1 µL.
9.4.2 Break down any lumps of material in the coarse
7.4 Colorimeter capable of reading absorbance of a speci-
fraction to pass the 4.75-mm sieve. Use a mortar and rubber-
men at a wavelength of 610 6 1 nm at operating temperatures
covered pestle or any other means that will not fracture
of at least 0 to 50ºC. The colorimeter shall be able to read
aggregate particles. Add this additional material passing the
absorbance between zero and the absorbance associated with a
sieve to the separated fine portion of the sample and mix
0.144 % mass concentration of methylene blue solution.
thoroughly.
7.5 Disposable items for each test—two plastic 50-mL test
9.5 Dry the test specimen to constant mass by means of the
tubes, one plastic 1-mL vial, one 3-mL syringe with Luer-Lok
selected source of heat, and cool to room temperature before
adapter,one0.2-µmsyringefilter,onecolorimeterglasscuvette
testing. The sample is thoroughly dry when further heating
(orsamplecell),onemicropipettetip,andtwotransferpipettes.
causes, or would cause, less than 0.1 g additional loss in mass.
7.6 Additional disposable items for confirming methylene
9.6 Repeat the procedures in 9.4 and 9.5 to obtain three test
blue starting concentration—plastic 50-mL test tube, colorim-
specimens.
eter glass cuvette, micropipette tip, and transfer pipette.
7.7 Additional disposable items for standardizing the
10. Standardization
colorimeter—plastic 50-mL test tube, colorimeter glass
10.1 Standardization of the colorimeter for the relationship
cuvette, micropipette tip, and transf
...
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