ASTM D6910-04
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Marsh Funnel Viscosity of Clay Construction Slurries
Standard Test Method for Marsh Funnel Viscosity of Clay Construction Slurries
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method allows for the assessment of an apparent viscosity of clay slurries in the laboratory and in the field. Viscosity is a fundamental characteristic for slurries in construction applications. The Marsh Funnel Viscosity test can be used for field quality control of slurries. Relative changes in slurry viscosity can be identified using Marsh Funnel measurements and modifications can be made to mixing and handling procedures.
In this test, it is assumed that the apparent viscosity of a slurry is directly related to the flow duration through a specially shaped funnel (the Marsh Funnel).
Note 1—The development of the Marsh Funnel is credited to Hallan N. Marsh of Los Angeles who published the design and use of his funnel viscometer in 1931.
In slurry wall construction and other applications, the viscosity of a slurry must be maintained at a level high enough to assist in stabilizing the trench walls. Slurry viscosity is also directly related to filter cake permeability.
The Marsh Funnel Viscosity has been widely used in drilling soil and rock for water wells, oil, gas, soil stabilization, and the application of hydraulic barriers.
Inert suspended solids such as fine sands and additives affect the viscosity of slurries. This test may be used to determine the relative effects of this and other such materials on the viscosity of a slurry.
Note 2—The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing, sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D 3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D 3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides an indirect measurement of the viscosity of clay slurries using a funnel (Marsh Funnel) and a graduated cup of specific dimensions. This test method provides a practical indicator of the viscosity on a routine basis. This test method has been modified from the API Recommended Practice 13B-2.
1.2 The result determined using the method is referred to as the Marsh Funnel Viscosity.
1.3 This test can be performed in the laboratory, or used in the field to assess the apparent viscosity of a clay slurry for quality control purposes. The most commonly used slurry is a bentonite clay slurry.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation:D6910–04
Standard Test Method for
Marsh Funnel Viscosity of Clay Construction Slurries
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6910; 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 Viscosity is not a true viscosity, it is only an apparent value and
good in a relative sense. Low MFV values are obtained for
1.1 This test method provides an indirect measurement of
slurries with high viscosity and high MFV values are obtained
the viscosity of clay slurries using a funnel (Marsh Funnel) and
for slurries with low viscosity.
a graduated cup of specific dimensions. This test method
provides a practical indicator of the viscosity on a routine
4. Summary of Test Method
basis. This test method has been modified from the API
4.1 In this method, a slurry is poured into a funnel with
Recommended Practice 13B-2.
specific dimensions (Marsh Funnel).The slurry is then allowed
1.2 The result determined using the method is referred to as
to flow into a graduated cup. The time for the slurry to fill a
the Marsh Funnel Viscosity.
volumeof946mL(1qt)ismeasuredandreportedastheMarsh
1.3 This test can be performed in the laboratory, or used in
Funnel Viscosity. The test temperature is also reported for
the field to assess the apparent viscosity of a clay slurry for
comparison purposes.
quality control purposes. The most commonly used slurry is a
bentonite clay slurry.
5. Significance and Use
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5.1 This test method allows for the assessment of an
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
apparent viscosity of clay slurries in the laboratory and in the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
field. Viscosity is a fundamental characteristic for slurries in
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
construction applications. The Marsh Funnel Viscosity test can
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
be used for field quality control of slurries. Relative changes in
2. Referenced Documents slurry viscosity can be identified using Marsh Funnel measure-
2 ments and modifications can be made to mixing and handling
2.1 ASTM Standards:
procedures.
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
5.2 In this test, it is assumed that the apparent viscosity of a
Fluids
slurryisdirectlyrelatedtotheflowdurationthroughaspecially
2.2 API Document:
shaped funnel (the Marsh Funnel).
API Recommended Practice, Standard Procedure for Test-
ing Drilling Fluids, Sixth Edition
NOTE 1—ThedevelopmentoftheMarshFunneliscreditedtoHallanN.
Marsh of Los Angeles who published the design and use of his funnel
3. Terminology
viscometer in 1931.
3.1 For definitions of common terms in this standard, refer
5.3 In slurry wall construction and other applications, the
to Terminology D653.
viscosity of a slurry must be maintained at a level high enough
3.1.1 marsh funnel viscosity (MFV)—also known as funnel
to assist in stabilizing the trench walls. Slurry viscosity is also
viscosity. The time required (in seconds) for 946 mL (1 qt) of
directly related to filter cake permeability.
a slurry to flow into a graduated cup from a funnel (known as
5.4 The Marsh Funnel Viscosity has been widely used in
a Marsh Funnel) with specific dimensions. The Marsh Funnel
drilling soil and rock for water wells, oil, gas, soil stabilization,
and the application of hydraulic barriers.
1 5.5 Inert suspended solids such as fine sands and additives
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
affect the viscosity of slurries. This test may be used to
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.04 on Hydrologic
Properties and Hydraulic Barriers.
determine the relative effects of this and other such materials
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2004. Published February 2004. DOI: 10.1520/
on the viscosity of a slurry.
D6910-04.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
NOTE 2—The quality of the result produced by this standard is
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
the ASTM website.
Available from The American Petroleum Institute (API), 1220 L. St., NW,
Washington, DC 20005.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6910–04
criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent
(1.6 qt) level of the funnel; approximately 19 mm (0.75 in.)
and objective testing, sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are
below the top of the funnel. The screen is used to separate
cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure
larger particles that could plug the orifice during the test.
reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740
6.2 Graduated Cup—Ametal or plastic graduated cup with
provides a m
...
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