ASTM C1777-20

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 requ...
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 The text of this standard refers to notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of this 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-2020
• ICS: 91.100.15 - Mineral materials and products
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Drafting Committee: C09.20 - Aggregates

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: C1777 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Rapid Determination of the Methylene Blue Value for Fine
1
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* E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
Sieves
1.1 This test method provides a rapid test to determine the
2.2 Other Standards:
amount of methylene blue adsorbed by a specimen of fine
AASHTO T330 Standard Method of Test for the Qualitative
aggregate or mineral filler and can be used both in the
Detection of Harmful Clays of the Smectite Group in
laboratory and in the field.
3
Aggregates Using Methylene Blue
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
EN 933-9 Tests for geometrical properties of aggregates.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
4
Part 9: Assessment of fines – Methylene blue test
standard.
3. Terminology
1.3 The text of this standard refers to notes and footnotes
that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
3.1 Definitions:
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
as requirements of this standard.
Terminology C125.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.1 mineral filler, n—a finely divided mineral product at
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
least 65 % of which passes the 75-µm sieve.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.1 A specimen of fine aggregate or mineral filler is com-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
bined with a methylene blue solution of known concentration
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
and mixed for a prescribed period of time. The specimen
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
adsorbs some of the methylene blue from solution. The
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
resultingmixtureisfilteredandaportionofthefilteredsolution
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
isdilutedbyafixedamount.Acolorimeterisusedtodetermine
the absorbance of the diluted solution, from which the concen-
2. Referenced Documents
tration of methylene blue prior to dilution is calculated. The
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
change in concentration of methylene blue before and after
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
mixing with fine aggregate or mineral filler is converted to a
gregates
methylene blue value and reported in units of mg/g.
C702/C702M Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate
to Testing Size 5. Significance and Use
D75/D75M Practice for Sampling Aggregates
5.1 Thistestmethodisusedtodeterminerapidlytheamount
of methylene blue adsorbed by a specimen of fine aggregate or
mineral filler. The result is reported as a methylene blue value
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
in units of mg of methylene blue adsorbed per g of fine
Concrete and ConcreteAggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
aggregate or mineral filler. The methylene blue value is a
C09.20 on Aggregates.
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2020.PublishedJuly2020.Originallyapproved
in 2013. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as C1777 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/
3
C1777-20. Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Officials (AASHTO), 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001,
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM http://www.transportation.org.
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from European Committee for Standardization,Avenue Marnix 17,
the ASTM website. B-1000 Brussels, Belgium.
*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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C1777 − 20
function of the amount and characteristics of clay minerals 7.7 Addit
...

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: C1777 − 15 C1777 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Rapid Determination of the Methylene Blue Value for Fine
1
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 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 The text of this standard refers to notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of this 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental 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:
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
C702C702/C702M Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size
D75D75/D75M Practice for Sampling Aggregates
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
2.2 Other Standards:
AASHTO T330 Standard Method of Test for the Qualitative Detection of Harmful Clays of the Smectite Group in Aggregates
3
Using Methylene Blue
4
EN 933-9 Tests for geometrical properties of aggregates. Part 9: Assessment of fines – Methylene blue test
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology C125.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 mineral filler, n—a finely divided mineral product at least 65 % of which passes the 75-μm sieve.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A specimen of fine aggregate or mineral filler is combined with a methylene blue solution of known concentration and mixed
for a prescribed period of time. The specimen adsorbs some of the methylene blue from solution. The resulting mixture is filtered
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.20 on
Normal Weight Aggregates.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2015June 1, 2020. Published April 2015July 2020. Originally approved in 2013. Last previous edition approved in 20142015 as C1777-14.
DOI: 10.1520/C1777-15. – 15. DOI: 10.1520/C1777-20.
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’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001,
http://www.transportation.org.
4
Available from European Committee for Standardization, Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium.
*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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C1777 − 20
and a portion of the filtered solution is diluted by a fixed amount. A colorimeter is used to determine the absorbance of the diluted
solution, from which the concentration of methylene blue prior to dilution is calculated. The change in concentration of methylene
blue before and after mixing with fine aggregate or mineral filler is converted to a methylene blue value and reported in units of
mg/g.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method is used to determine rapidly the amount of methylene blue adsorbed by a specimen of fin
...