Designation: C 1353 – 08

Standard Test Method Using the Taber Abraser for

Abrasion Resistance of Dimension Stone Subjected to Foot
Traffic1, 2
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1353; 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 C 97 Test Methods for Absorption and Bulk Specific Grav-

1.1 This test method covers the establishment of an index of ity of Dimension Stone
abrasion resistance by determination of loss of weight resulting C 119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone
from abrasion of dimension stone as described in Terminology C 121 Test Method for Water Absorption of Slate
C 119 and is modeled after Test Method C 501. C 501 Test Method for Relative Resistance to Wear of
1.2 The values stated in metric units are to be regarded as Unglazed Ceramic Tile by the Taber Abraser
the standard.
3. Terminology
1.3 This test method makes use of a Taber abraser machine
to determine the weight loss of dimension stone under con- 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
trolled conditions. 3.1.1 index of abrasion resistance, n—a number calculated
1.4 This test method is useful in indicating the differences in from the weight loss of a specimen subjected to a given number
abrasion resistance between the various dimension stones. This of revolutions against a standard bonded abrasive wheel.
test method provides one element in comparing stones of the 3.1.2 sample, n—a geometrically regular block of stone.
same type. 3.1.3 test specimen, n—a flat prism of specified size and
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the shape cut from the submitted sample.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 4. Summary of Test Method
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 4.1 This test method consists of mounting the stone speci-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. men in suitable holders, attaching the mounted holder to the
spindle of the Taber abraser, and subjecting the specimen to a
2. Referenced Documents prescribed number of revolutions under abrasive wheels of
2.1 ASTM Standards:3 specified coarseness for a definite applied load. From the loss
of weight due to abrasion, the abrasive wear index is calculated
by a given formula.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C18 on
Dimension Stone and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C18.01 on Test 5. Apparatus
Methods.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2008. Published December 2008. Originally 5.1 Taber abraser machine, Model 5130 or 5150, equipped
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as C 1353 – 07. with replaceable hard abrasive H-22 Calibrade wheels that can
2
The Taber abraser is available in two models: the 5130 with a single head or the be loaded by weights.
5150 with dual testing heads. The 5130 machine replaces Model 503, which is a
single head machine. Both machines function in the same manner. The sole source
5.2 Table Model 200 refacing machine.
of supply of the Taber abraser and Model 200 wheel surfacer known to the 5.3 Vacuum pick up to remove the abraded material.
committee at this time is Taber Instrument Corp., 455 Bryant Street, North 5.4 Revolution counter.
Tonawanda, NY 14120. If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this 5.5 Balance with a capacity of 500 g (0.5 lb) and capable of
information to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive
careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee,1 which reading to two decimal places.
you may attend. 5.6 Desiccator containing a drying agent of sufficient size to
3
contain samples to be tested.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.7 Diamond saw (cut-off) with diamond-edged blade lubri-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on cated with water.
the ASTM website.

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 C 1353 – 08
5.8 Electrically powered drill capable of drilling a 6 mm (1⁄4 excessively worn. If the test is stopped before 1000 revolutions are
in.) hole through the specimen. completed, state the reason in the test report.
5.9 A ventilated drying oven. 8.9 Remove the specimen carefully from the table, brush
clean the dust and abrasive grains, and weigh (w1).
6. Sampling
9. Calculation
6.1 Three stone samples 100 mm (4 in.) square and 10 mm
(3⁄8 in.) thick shall constitute a sample and shall be chosen from 9.1 Calculate the index of abrasion resistance as follows:
material to be tested. 36.75 n
Iw 5 w 2 w 3 p 3 1000
o 1
7. Test Specimen
7.1 Three test specimens are required. Each test specimen where:
shall meet the following conditions: Iw = index of abrasion resistance,
wo = initial weight of test specimen, g
7.1.1 A slab 100 mm (4 in.) square with the corners cut off
w1 = weight of test specimen after 1000 revolutions, g
to give a maximum radius of 60 mm (23⁄8 in.) with a 6 mm (1⁄4 p = bulk specific gravity, and
in.) hole in the center and the thickness equal to 10 mm (3⁄8 in.) n = number of revolutions actually run during the test.
or less.
7.1.2 The upper surface shall be flat with either a finish as NOTE 2—The formula for determining Iw requires the use of metric
required for the test or ground and smoothed with 120 mesh units. Attempting to use this formula with imperial units will result in
erroneous values for Iw.
grit. Rough surfaces, such as thermal, bush-hammered, gang- NOTE 3—Test results from hard and coarse-grained stones such as
sawn, and cleft finishes, are not suitable for testing in accor- granite should be viewed with caution. Hard stones may both polish and
dance with this test method. abrade, thus resulting in an increase in the indicated value of Iw.
Coarse-grained stones may exhibit a wider than normal variation of Iw
8. Procedure results in addition to polishing and abrading because of differences in
8.1 Determine the bulk specific gravity (p) of dimension hardness between grains.
stone in accordance with Test Methods C 97 and C 121 for 10. Report
slate. Bulk specific gravity testing shall be performed, using a
10.1 Report the following information for each test speci-
modified specimen geometry, on the same specimens to be
men:
used for the abrasion resistance tests. Dry in an oven at a
10.1.1 Identification number and source of sample,
temperature of 60°C 6 2°C (140°F 6 4°F) for 48 h. Cool in a
10.1.2 Commercial name or description of stone and surface
desiccator and weigh (wo). The test specimens shall remain in
tested,
desiccator until tested. Tests should not begin unless the
10.1.3 Date of test,
relative humidity is 45 to 55 % and the temperature is at
10.1.4 Identity of test operator,
22 6 3°C (72 6 4°F).
10.1.5 Identification number of each test specimen,
8.2 Weigh the test specimen to the nearest 0.01 g (0.00002
10.1.6 Value of bulk specific gravity used in the calcula-
lb).
tions,
8.3 Place the test specimen on the table of the abraser with
10.1.7 Index of abrasion resistance of each test specimen
the surface to be tested uppermost.
and average of the three test specimens,
8.4 Perform test work in a controlled environment, space, or
10.1.8 Presence of any defect or surface feature likely to
room.
have influenced the result,
8.5 Set the vacuum cleaner-extractor to 90 to 100 % capac-
10.1.9 Identification of the operator and laboratory carrying
ity. Lower and adjust the orifice arm so the orifice is a distance
out the test,
of 1 to 2 mm (1⁄8 to 1⁄16 in.) above the test surface.
10.1.10 The relative humidity of the test area, and
8.6 Load each holder with a 1 kg (2.2 lb) weight above the
10.1.11 The actual number of revolutions run. If the test was
abrasive wheel and gently lower the wheels onto the surface of
stopped before 1000 revolutions were completed, state the
the test specimen.
reason.
8.7 Switch on the vacuum cleaner-extractor.
8.8 Rotate the table for 1000 revolutions. Gently brush the 11. Precision and Bias
abrasive wheels while the test specimen is rotating to assist in 11.1 Precision—Not enough data exists that will serve as a
the removal of loose dust and prevent clogging the abrasive basis for preparing a precision statement.
wheels. 11.2 Bias—There is no accepted reference material, there-
NOTE 1—The preferred number of revolutions is 1000 regardless of the fore, no bias statement can be made.
stone type. Some stones may wear through before 1000 revolutions. For
these stones, the equipment should be stopped when the wear has reduced
12. Keywords
the thickness by 70 to 80 %. Stop the test if the abrasive wheels become 12.1 abrasion resistance; dimension stone; Taber abraser

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 C 1353 – 08
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