Designation: C 135 – 96 (Reapproved 2003)

Standard Test Method for

True Specific Gravity of Refractory Materials by Water
Immersion1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 135; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope 3.3 This test method is a primary standard method which is

1.1 This test method covers the determination of true suitable for use in specifications, quality control, and research
specific gravity of refractory materials under prescribed con- and development. It can also serve as a referee test method in
ditions. It is not applicable to materials attacked by water. purchasing contracts or agreements.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 3.4 Fundamental assumptions inherent in this test method
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for are the following:
information only. 3.4.1 The sample is representative of the material in general,
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.4.2 The total sample has been reduced to the particle size
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the specified,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.4.3 No impurity has been introduced during processing of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- the sample,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.4.4 The sample itself is not magnetic and all magnetic
material introduced during processing of the sample has been
2. Referenced Documents removed,
2.1 ASTM Standards: 3.4.5 The material is not hydratable or reactive with water,
C 604 Test Method for True Specific Gravity of Refractory and
Materials by Gas-Comparison Pycnometer2 3.4.6 The test method has been conducted in a meticulous
D 153 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Pigments3 manner.
E 11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Pur- 3.4.7 Deviation from any of these assumptions negates the
poses4 usefulness of the results.
3.5 In interpreting the results of this test method it must be
3. Significance and Use recognized that the specified sample particle size does not
3.1 The true specific gravity of a material is the ratio of its guarantee that all closed pores have been eliminated. The
true density, determined at a specific temperature, to the true amount of residual closed pores may vary between materials or
density of water, determined at a specific temperature. Thus, even between samples of the same or like materials, and the
the true specific gravity of a material is a primary property specified sample particle size is not the same as that specified
which is related to chemical and mineralogical composition. for Test Method C 604. The values generated by this test
3.2 For refractory raw materials and products the true method may, therefore, be close approximations rather than
specific gravity is a useful value for: classification, detecting accurate representations of true specific gravities. Thus, com-
differences in chemical composition between supposedly like parisons of results should only be judiciously made between
samples, indicating mineralogical phases or phase changes, like materials tested by this test method or with full recognition
calculating total porosity when the bulk density is known, and of potentially inherent differences between the materials being
for any other test method which requires this value for the compared or the test method used.
calculation of results.
4. Apparatus
4.1 Analytical Balance, accurate to 0.1 mg.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of the ASTM Committee C08 on 4.2 Pycnometer Bottle, 50-mL, with ground-joint fitted
Refractories and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C08.03 on Physical
Tests and Properties.
thermometer and capillary side tube with cap.
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 2003. Published July 2003. Originally 4.3 Vacuum Source, capable of 0.5 to 1.0 in. (13 to 25 mm)
approved in 1938. Last previous edition approved in 1996 as C 135 – 96. Hg, for use with alternative method (Note 1).
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.01.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.03. NOTE 1—A suitable alternative evacuation method is described in Test
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. Methods D 153.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

1
 C 135 – 96 (2003)
5. Preparation of Sample 6.3 Empty the pycnometer and again dry it at 105 to 110°C
5.1 Extract two walnut-sized pieces from different positions (220 to 230°F). Place approximately 1.5 mL of the sample in
in a solid specimen in such a way as to exclude any part of the the dry pycnometer, weigh, and record the weight as W. Fill the
original exterior surface (skin surface). When an average value pycnometer to one fourth to one half of its capacity with
of specific gravity is desired, prepare a composite sample by distilled water, and boil the water either under reduced pressure
taking pieces in this manner from at least five different (Note 2) or at atmospheric pressure for 10 to 15 min. Boiling
specimens. should not be so vigorous as to cause loss of sample due to
5.2 Crush the pieces between hardened steel surfaces to a popping. Where boiling is done at atmospheric pressure, it is
maximum size of 1⁄8 in. (3 mm). Thoroughly mix the crushed advisable to insert a thin strip of paper with the stopper before
material and reduce by quartering or riffling to a test sample of the boiling operation. After boiling, fill the pycnometer with
50 g. distilled water, cool to room temperature, t, in a water bath,
5.3 If the material submitted for test is already crushed or insert the thermometer stopper, wipe off excess water from the
ground, a representative portion of at least 500 g shall be tip of the capillary tube, replace the cap, and thoroughly dry the
thoroughly mixed and reduced by quartering or riffling. pycnometer with a lintless towel. Weigh the pycnometer and
5.4 Grind the entire 50-g sample to pass an ASTM No. 100 contents and report the weight as W2.
(150-µm) sieve (equivalent to a 100-mesh Tyler Standard
7. Calculation
Series) (Note 2). The grinding may be done by hand or by a
mechanical sample grinder of such material and construction as 7.1 Calculate the true specific gravity as follows:
to prevent the introduction of any impurity. Remove any Sp gr, t/t 5 ~W 2 p!/[W1 2 p! 2 ~W2 2 W!# (1)
magnetic material introduced during crushing or grinding by a
magnet. Special care should be taken in all stages of prepara- where:
tion of the test sample not to exclude any portions that are t = material and water temperature, °C
p = weight of the stoppered pycnometer, g,
difficult to crush or grind.
W = weight of the stoppered pycnometer and sample, g,
NOTE 2—Detailed requirements for this sieve are given in Specification W1 = weight of the stoppered pycnometer filled with water,
E 11. g, and
5.5 Transfer the 50-g sample to a glass-stoppered weighing W2 = weight of the stoppered pycnometer, sample, and
bottle and dry to constant weight at 105 to 110°C (220 to water, g.
230°F).
6. Procedure 8. Report
6.1 Make duplicate tests on material from the 50-g sample. 8.1 Both determinations shall be reported to the nearest
Make all weighings to the nearest 0.1 mg. 0.01. The results shall check to within 0.03, or additional
6.2 Dry the pycnometer at 105 to 110°C (220 to 230°F), determinations shall be made in duplicate.
cool in a desiccator, and weigh on an analytical balance.
Record the weight as p. Fill the pycnometer with distilled water 9. Precision and Bias
at room temperature, t, which should be between 60 and 75°F 9.1 The precision and bias of this test method for measuring
(16 and 24°C) and should not vary more than 0.5°F (0.3°C) the true specific gravity of refractory materials by water
during the test, and again weigh, recording the weight as W1. In immersion is being determined. It is not feasible to specify the
filling the pycnometer, there should be an overflow of water precision and bias of this test method at this time because the
through the capillary when the thermometer (stopper) is ruggedness and round-robin testing is incomplete.
inserted. Wipe the excess water from the tip in such a manner
as not to withdraw any water from the capillary. Place the cap 10. Keywords
on the capillary tube, thoroughly dry any water adhering to the 10.1 nonhydratable; pycnometer; refractory material; true
outside of the pycnometer, and weigh as directed above. specific gravity; water immersion

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