ASTM C1721-09
(Guide)Standard Guide for Petrographic Examination of Dimension Stone
Standard Guide for Petrographic Examination of Dimension Stone
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Petrographic examinations are made for the following purposes:
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.
Describe and classify the minerals of the specimen.
Classify the stone both commercially and geologically based on Terminology C 119, recognizing the differences in nomenclature; and based on the following standards, as appropriate:
Specification C 406
Specification C 503
Specification C 568
Specification C 615
Specification C 616
Specification C 629
Specification C 1526
Specification C 1527
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.
Compare characteristics of the stone with specimens from one or more sources, for which test data or performance records are available.
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.
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 C 97
Test Method C 99
Test Method C 170
Test Method C 880
Test Methods C 120
Test Method C 121
Test Method C 241
Test Method C 1353
Test Method C 217
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 analyses to be made, and should record their ...
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 C 119 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 the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information purposes only.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: C1721 − 09
StandardGuide for
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 C241 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Stone Sub-
jected to Foot Traffic
1.1 This guide outlines procedures for the petrographic
C406 Specification for Roofing Slate
examination of stone specimen material proposed for use as
C503 Specification for Marble Dimension Stone
dimension stone used in construction.
C568 Specification for Limestone Dimension Stone
1.2 This guide outlines the extent to which petrographic
C615 Specification for Granite Dimension Stone
techniquesshouldbeused,theselectionofpetrographicrelated
C616 Specification for Quartz-Based Dimension Stone
properties that should be looked for, and the manner in which
C629 Specification for Slate Dimension Stone
such techniques may be employed in the examination of
C880 Test Method for Flexural Strength of Dimension Stone
dimension stone.
C1353 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Dimension
1.3 TherockandmineralnamesgiveninTerminologyC119
Stone Subjected to Foot Traffic Using a Rotary Platform,
should be used, insofar as they are appropriate, in reports Double-Head Abraser
prepared in accordance with this guide.
C1526 Specification for Serpentine Dimension Stone
C1527 Specification for Travertine Dimension Stone
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
C1528 Guide for Selection of Dimension Stone
standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
E883 Guide for Reflected–Light Photomicrography
information purposes only.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Summary of Guide
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1 The specific procedures employed in the petrographic
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- examination of any specimen will depend to a large extent on
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the purpose of the examination and the nature of the specimen.
In most cases the examination will require the use of optical
2. Referenced Documents
microscopy. Complete petrographic examinations for particu-
lar purposes and to investigate particular problems may require
2.1 ASTM Standards:
examination of selected constituents by means of additional
C97 Test Methods forAbsorption and Bulk Specific Gravity
procedures, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis for
of Dimension Stone
crystalline structure, differential thermal analysis (DTA) for
C99 Test Method for Modulus of Rupture of Dimension
chemically and physically unstable minerals, infrared
Stone
spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) energy
C119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone
dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), or other procedures. Al-
C120 Test Methods of Flexure Testing of Slate (Breaking
though these procedures are beyond the scope of this standard,
Load, Modulus of Rupture, Modulus of Elasticity)
these additional procedures may be more definitive than visual
C121 Test Method for Water Absorption of Slate
microscopic methods.
C170 Test Method for Compressive Strength of Dimension
Stone
3.2 Identification of the minerals, composition, fabric, and
C217 Test Method for Weather Resistance of Slate
structure of a specimen is a necessary step towards recognition
ofthepropertiesthatmaybeexpectedtoinfluencethebehavior
of the material in its intended use, but identification is not an
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C18 on Dimension
end in itself. The value of any petrographic examination will
Stone and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C18.01 on Test Methods.
depend to a large extent on the representativeness of the
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2009. Published September 2009. DOI:
10.1520/C1721-09.
specimens examined, the completeness and accuracy of the
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
informationprovidedtothepetrographerconcerningthesource
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
andproposeduseofthematerial,andthepetrographer’sability
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. to correlate these data with the findings of the examination.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C1721 − 09
3.3 This guide does not attempt to describe the techniques Test Method C241
of petrographic work since it is assumed that the guide will be Test Method C1353
used by persons who are qualified by education and experience Test Method C217
to employ such techniques for the recognition of the charac-
4.3 This guide may form the basis for establishing arrange-
teristic properties of rocks and minerals and to describe and
ments between a purchaser of consulting petrographic service
classify the constituents of a specimen. For some cases, the
and the petrographer. In such a case, the purchaser and the
petrographer will have had experience adequate to provide
consultant should together determine the kind, extent, and
detailed interpretation of the petrographic results. For many
objectives of the examination and analyses to be made, and
cases the interpretation will be made, in part, by engineers,
should record their agreement in writing. The agreement may
familiar with the intended use of the dimension stone. In other
stipulatespecificdeterminationstobemade,observationstobe
cases,interpretationofthefindingsmayrequireinputofothers,
reported, funds to be obligated, or a combination of these or
such as a chemist, qualified to relate the observations to the
other conditions.
questions to be answered.
4.4 Petrographicexaminationsprovideidentificationoftype
3.4 The petrographer should be familiar with the ASTM
and varieties of minerals and structures present in the speci-
standards referenced in 2.1.
men. However, as noted above, identification of all minerals
and structures present in the specimen is not required.
4. Significance and Use
4.5 The petrographic examination should establish whether
4.1 Petrographic examinations are made for the following
the specimen contains chemically unstable minerals or volu-
purposes:
metrically unstable materials.
4.1.1 Determine the physical and chemical characteristics
4.6 Petrographic examination should identify weathered or
(mineralogy, texture, and composition) of the stone specimen
otherwise altered constituents or minerals and describe the
that may be observed by petrographic methods and that have a
extent of that weathering or alteration. Where possible, de-
bearing on the performance of the material in its intended use.
scribe potential aesthetic changes that may occur as a result of
4.1.2 Describe and classify the minerals of the specimen.
weathering.
4.1.3 Classify the stone both commercially and geologically
based on Terminology C119, recognizing the differences in
NOTE 1—If the dimension stone will be exposed to freezing and
nomenclature; and based on the following standards, as appro- thawing and may become wet or saturated in use, finely porous and highly
weatheredorotherwisealteredmineralsshouldbeidentifiedbecausethese
priate:
materials will be especially susceptible to damage by freezing and
Specification C406
thawing.
Specification C503
4.7 Petrographic examination should identify constituents
Specification C568
or minerals and the extent to which they may lead to staining
Specification C615
and color change of the surface of the stone when the stone is
Specification C616
exposed to the weather for exterior use.
Specification C629
4.8 Petrographic examination should identify and estimate
Specification C1526
proportions of constituents that may be susceptible to deterio-
Specification C1527
ration from attack by deicing agents where proposed for use at
4.1.4 Determine the relative amounts of the minerals of the
grade level in freezing environments where deicing salts are
specimen and constituents that have a bearing on the perfor-
anticipated to be used.
mance of the material in its intended use.
4.1.5 Compare characteristics of the stone with specimens
4.9 Criteria are available for identifying minerals by their
from one or more sources, for which test data or performance
optical properties or by XRD. Criteria are available for
records are available.
identifying rocks by their mineral composition and texture.
Examination in both reflected and transmitted light may be
4.2 The petrographer should be told in as much detail as
necessary to provide data for these identifications. X-ray
necessary, the purposes and objectives of the examination, the
microanalysis using energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometers
kind of information needed, and the extent of examination
with scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDX) or
desired.
wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectrometers in electron micro-
4.2.1 Pertinent background information, including results of
probes (EMPA/WDX) may provide useful information on the
prior testing, such as physical and mechanical testing, should
chemical composition of minerals and rocks.
be made available. The petrographer’s advice and judgment
should be sought regarding the extent of the examination.
4.10 The objectives for which this guide was prepared, will
Available physical and mechanical testing may include the
have been attained if those involved with the evaluation of the
following:
specimen have reasonable assurance that the petrographic
Test Methods C97
examination results, wherever and whenever obtained, may
Test Method C99
confidently be compared.
Test Method C170
5. Sampling
Test Method C880
Test Methods C120 5.1 Stone specimens for petrographic examination are best
Test Method C121 obtained under guidance of a geologist familiar with the
C1721 − 09
requirements of this standard. Information on the exact loca- 6.2.9 Presence of discontinuities (for example, rock
tion from which the specimen was taken and other pertinent cleavage, foliation, bedding, layering, fissures, fractures, vugs,
data should be recorded or submitted with the specimen. The stylolites, and fossils), and
amount of material actually studied in the petrographic exami- 6.2.10 Presence of constituents known to be chemically or
nation will be determined by the nature of the examination to
physically unstable.
be made and the nature of the material to be examined, as
discussed below. It is preferable that the specimens be selected
7. Report
and prepared by the person performing the petrographic
7.1 State purpose of the examination.
examination.
7.2 Summarize the essential data needed to identify the
5.2 Specimen(s) provided for examination with unknown
specimen as to source and proposed use, and include a
origin:
description giving the essential data on characteristics,
5.2.1 Often. specimens are submitted for petrographic
composition, and properties of the material as revealed by the
analysis without information as to origin. In this case, report
examination.
that the origin of the specimen is unknown or attempt to obtain
7.3 List the test procedures employed, and give a descrip-
information from the submitter as to country, quarry of origin,
tion of the nature and features of each important constituent of
and geologic formation.
the specimen, accompanied by such tables and photographs as
5.3 Specimen(s) selected from materials submitted for pe-
may be required.
trographic analysis as well as for physical and mechanical
7.4 Describe petrographic features, mineralogy, and struc-
testing:
tures observed that may have an effect on the physical,
5.3.1 It is desirable to examine specimens that have been
mechanical, and aesthetic performance of the material when
previously tested for physical and mechanical properties, for
used as dimension stone.
comparison with non-tested specimens. Petrographic analysis
can sometimes explain anomalous physical and mechanical 7.5 Express the findings and conclusions in terms likely to
results as well as features that may be of concern, based solely
be intelligible to those who must make decisions as to the
on visual examination.
suitability of a material for use as dimension stone. Report
observations made on features described in Section 6.
5.4 Specimen(s) selected from operating quarry for petro-
graphic analysis. 7.6 Describe qualitatively and, to the extent practicable,
quantitatively, those properties or constituents that are known
5.4.1 Investigate vertical and lateral variations in the
to have specific unfavorable effects. The unfavorable effects
composition, texture, and microstructure of the material com-
that may be expected to ensue should be mentioned.
prising the formation.
5.4.2 Examine specimen stone material produced that is
NOTE 2—When appropriate, it should be stated that a given specimen
representative of material to be used.
was not found to contain any unfavorable features. When such is the case
it may also be appropriate, especially if the report of the petrographic
5.4.3 Identify visible features and characteristics and their
examination is not accompanied by reports of results of physical,
variations to aid purchaser in selecting stone for use.
mechanical, and chemical tests for which numerical limits may be
5.4.4 Provide description or sketch of quarry and proposed
applicable, to add that the material examined is considered to be
extraction location(s), and locations from which specimens for acceptable for use provided the applicable acceptance tests are made and
the results are within the appropriate limits. The report should not,
petrographic study were taken.
however, contain conclusions other than those based upon the finding of
the examination unless the additional data to support such conclusions are
6. Procedure
included in or with the petrographic report and the petrographer has been
authorized to analyze the other relevant non-petrographic data.
6.1 Selection of Specimens for Direct Petrographic Exami-
nation: 7.7 Describe properties and characteristics including those
which are likely to be significant relative to the intended use of
6.2 Record:
the dimension stone including anticipated environmental ex-
6.2.1 Notes should be taken during the examination. Each
posure. These may include:
specimen should be described; the relevant features may
7.7.1 Descriptions of the shape and sizes of specimens
include the following: sha
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