ASTM C51-20

Standard Terminology Relating to Lime and Limestone (as Used by the Industry)

SCOPE
1.1 This terminology refers to the terms relating to lime and limestone products as used by the industry.  
1.2 Where appropriate, the various terms defined below should be prefixed with one or other of the adjectives “high-calcium,” “magnesian,” or “dolomitic.” (Examples: dolomitic quicklime; high-calcium hydraulic hydrated lime; magnesian or dolomitic limestone.)  
1.3 The composition of a limestone should be given in terms of a percentage of the carbonates present. In limestone of interest to the lime industry, it is usually assumed that the material consists almost entirely of carbonates. Where this assumption is not valid, the percentage of noncarbonate material should be determined, and the composition expressed in terms of the carbonate material present.  
1.4 For specific application of lime or a limestone product, see the appropriate ASTM specification.  
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: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2020
• ICS: 01.040.91 - Construction materials and building (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 91.100.10 - Cement. Gypsum. Lime. Mortar
• Technical Committee: C07 - Lime and Limestone
• Drafting Committee: C07.08 - Editorial and Terminology

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: C51 − 20
Standard Terminology Relating to
1
Lime and Limestone (as Used by the Industry)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C51; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 3. Terminology
1.1 This terminology refers to the terms relating to lime and
alkaline earth solutions (AES), n—an aqueous solution of the
limestone products as used by the industry.
oxide or hydroxide of an element of group IIa in the periodic
table, such as calcium or magnesium, which can be strongly
1.2 Where appropriate, the various terms defined below
alkaline.
should be prefixed with one or other of the adjectives “high-
calcium,” “magnesian,” or “dolomitic.” (Examples: dolomitic
available lime index, n—those constituents of a lime which
quicklime; high-calcium hydraulic hydrated lime; magnesian
enter into a desired reaction under the conditions of a
or dolomitic limestone.)
specific method or process.
1.3 Thecompositionofalimestoneshouldbegiveninterms
by-product lime, n—a variety of calcium or calcium/
of a percentage of the carbonates present. In limestone of
magnesium compounds, or both, that are usable for specific
interest to the lime industry, it is usually assumed that the
applications but generally do not meet one or more specifi-
material consists almost entirely of carbonates. Where this
cations required of primary lime products.
assumption is not valid, the percentage of noncarbonate mate-
DISCUSSION—Examples include lime kiln dust and lime hydrator
rial should be determined, and the composition expressed in
rejects. It is advised that the specific compositions, physical properties,
terms of the carbonate material present.
performance characteristics, and anticipated variabilities of such mate-
rials be evaluated for the service intended.
1.4 For specific application of lime or a limestone product,
see the appropriate ASTM specification.
calcareous, adj—originating from predominately calcium car-
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
bonate or one of its derivative forms.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
calcia, n—the chemical compound calcium oxide (CaO).
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
calcined pozzolans, n—materials that are produced by calci-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
nation of natural siliceous or alumino-siliceous earths, such
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
calcination being for the purpose of activation of pozzolanic
properties.
2. Referenced Documents
2
cement-lime mortar, n—cement-lime mortar primarily con-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
sists of hydraulic cement, hydrated lime or lime putty,
C207 Specification for Hydrated Lime for Masonry Pur-
mason’s sand and water.
poses
DISCUSSION—These mortars can be specified by proportions or
C270 Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry
properties indicated in Specification C270.
C602 Specification for Agricultural Liming Materials
C1707 Specification for Pozzolanic Hydraulic Lime for
dead burned dolomite, n—dolomitic limestone that has been
Structural Purposes
heated with or without additives to a temperature sufficiently
high and for a long enough time to decompose the carbonate
1
structure so as to form calcium oxide and periclase in a
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C07 on Lime
and Limestone and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C07.08 on Editorial
matrix that provides resistance to subsequent hydration and
and Terminology
recombination with carbon dioxide.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2020. Published August 2020. Originally
approved in 1922. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as C51 – 18. DOI:
dolomitic, adj—indicates the presence of 35 to 46 % magne-
10.1520/C0051-20.
2 sium carbonate (MgCO ) in the limestone from which the
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 3
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM material was formed.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. dolomitic limestone, n—see limestone.
*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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C51−20
fluxing lime,n—a term referring to quicklime used as an agent lime, chemical,
...

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: C51 − 18 C51 − 20
Standard Terminology Relating to
1
Lime and Limestone (as usedUsed by the Industry)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C51; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This terminology refers to the terms relating to lime and limestone products as used by the industry.
1.2 Where appropriate, the various terms defined below should be prefixed with one or other of the adjectives “high-calcium,”
“magnesian,” or “dolomitic.” (Examples: dolomitic quicklime; high-calcium hydraulic hydrated lime; magnesian or dolomitic
limestone.)
1.3 The composition of a limestone should be given in terms of a percentage of the carbonates present. In limestone of interest
to the lime industry, it is usually assumed that the material consists almost entirely of carbonates. Where this assumption is not
valid, the percentage of noncarbonate material should be determined, and the composition expressed in terms of the carbonate
material present.
1.4 For specific application of lime or a limestone product, see the appropriate ASTM specification.
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:
C207 Specification for Hydrated Lime for Masonry Purposes
C270 Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry
C602 Specification for Agricultural Liming Materials
C1707 Specification for Pozzolanic Hydraulic Lime for Structural Purposes
3. Terminology
agricultural lime—either ground quicklime or hydrated lime whose calcium and magnesium content is capable of neutralizing
soil acidity.
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C07 on Lime and Limestone and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C07.08 on Editorial and
Terminology
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2018Aug. 1, 2020. Published December 2018August 2020. Originally approved in 1922. Last previous edition approved in 20112018
as C51 – 11.C51 – 18. DOI: 10.1520/C0051-18.10.1520/C0051-20.
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’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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C51 − 20
agricultural limestone—ground or pulverized limestone whose calcium and magnesium content is capable of neutralizing soil
acidity.
DISCUSSION—
Agricultural lime is a very powerful neutralizing agent. Agricultural limestone, often referred to as “aglime” is the predominate material for soil pH
adjustment. See Specification C602.
air-slaked lime—the product containing various proportions of the oxides, hydroxides, and carbonates of calcium and
magnesium which results from the exposure of quicklime to the air in sufficient quantity to show physical signs of hydration
(difficult to determine visually in pulverized quicklime).
alkaline earth solutions (AES), n—an aqueous solution of the oxide or hydroxide of an element of group IIa in the periodic
table, such as calcium or magnesium, which can be strongly alkaline.
available lime index—index, n—those constituents of a lime which enter into a desired reaction under the conditions of a
specific method or process.
building or construction lime—a lime whose chemical and physical characteristics and method of processing make it suitable
for the ordinary or special construction uses of the product.
by-product lime, n—a variety of Calcium and/or Calcium/Magnesium compounds calcium or calcium/magnesium compounds,
or both, that are usable for specific applications but generally do not meet one or more specifications required of primary lime
products.
DISCUSSION—
Examples include lime kiln dust and lime hydrator rejects. It is
...