Designation: C 241 – 90 (Reapproved 1997)e1

Standard Test Method for

Abrasion Resistance of Stone Subjected to Foot Traffic1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 241; 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.

e1 NOTE—Editorial changes were made in September 1997.

1. Scope and the 2000-g weight bearing on the specimen is the com-
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the abra- bined weight of the specimen holder, vertical shaft above with
sion resistance of all types of stones for floors, steps, and the attached spur gear, and a weight hopper, E, containing
similar uses where the wear is caused by the abrasion of foot additional adjustment weights. The frame, F, carrying the
traffic. guide rings is adjustable vertically to accommodate different
1.2 This standard does not purport to address the safety specimen thicknesses. Gears, C, are adjusted on the shafts for
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility each specimen thickness, so that they are slightly above the
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and plate, G, throughout the test.
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory 6. Sampling
limitations prior to use.
6.1 The sample may be selected by the purchaser or his
2. Referenced Documents authorized agent but shall represent the average quality of the
2.1 ASTM Standards: type or grade of stone under consideration. It shall be of
C 97 Test Methods for Absorption and Bulk Specific Grav- sufficient size to permit the preparation of at least three test
ity of Dimension Stone2 specimens, and one face should have the finish to be exposed
C 119 Terminology Relating to Dimension Stone2 to traffic. The sample preferably should be 1 in. (25.4 mm)
thick and 8 in. (203.2 mm) square.
3. Terminology
7. Test Specimens
3.1 Definitions—All definitions are in accordance with Ter-
minology C 119. 7.1 At least three specimens 2 in. (50.8 mm) square and
preferably 1 in. (25.4 mm) in thickness shall be sawed from the
4. Significance and Use sample. The sharp edges shall be rounded by grinding to a
4.1 This test method is useful in indicating the differences in radius of approximately 1⁄32 in. (0.8 mm) in order to prevent
abrasion resistance between the various building stones. This crumbling during the test.
test method also provides one element in comparing stones of
8. Conditioning
the same type.
8.1 Dry the specimens for 48 h in a ventilated oven at a
5. Apparatus temperature of 60 6 2°C (140 6 4°F). At the 46th, 47th, and
5.1 The abrasion testing apparatus shown in Fig. 1 shall be 48th hour, weigh the specimens to ensure that the weight is the
used. This apparatus consists essentially of a power-driven same. If the weight continues to drop, continue to dry the
grinding lap, A, 10 in. (254 mm) in diameter, which is revolved specimens until there are three successive hourly readings with
at 45 rpm; three specimen holders, B, with superimposed the same weight. After removing the specimens from the oven,
weights; gears, C, for revolving the specimen; and a means of cool them to room temperature in a desiccator before testing
feeding abrasive at a constant rate to the lap. The guide rings, them.
D, are clamped in position slightly above the specimen holders,
9. Procedure
9.1 Weigh the test specimens to the nearest 0.01 g; then
1
place them in the abrasion testing apparatus and abrade for 225
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C-18 on
Dimension Stone and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C18.01 on Test revolutions of the grinding lap with No. 60 Alundum abrasive
Methods. (Norton treatment 138S). Remove the specimens from the
Current edition approved April 27, 1990. Published June 1990. Originally apparatus, brush them free of dust, and weigh to the same
published as C 241 – 50 T. Last previous edition C 241 – 85e1.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
precision as for the original weights.

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

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 C 241

A—Grinding lap. E—Weight hopper.

B—Specimen holders. F—Frame.
C—Gears. G—Plate.
D—Guide rings.
FIG. 1 Apparatus for Abrasion Resistance Test of Stone

9.2 Place the specimens in water for an hour or more, Ws = average weight of the specimen (original weight plus
surface dry them with a towel, and weigh again. Weigh the final weight divided by 2), and
specimens in water and calculate the bulk specific gravity as Wa = loss of weight during the grinding operation.
described in Test Methods C 97.
NOTE 4—The abrasive hardness value, Ha, is the reciprocal of the
NOTE 1—Humidity affects the results to some extent in that the rate of volume of material abraded multiplied by ten. The superimposed weight
grinding is higher for higher humidity. For this reason it is advisable to on the specimen is 2000 g and this is augmented by the weight of the
make the test when the relative humidity is between 30 and 40 %. specimen itself. The correction for the weight of the specimen, included in
NOTE 2—The supplier of the No. 60 Alundum abrasive, Norton, has the formula, is based on the fact that the rate of abrasion is directly
indicated that the formula for Norton treatment 138S has been changed. proportional to the weight. By basing the abrasive resistance values on the
The new abrasive is currrently more aggressive, resulting in lower volumes, rather than the weights abraded, a better comparison is obtained
abrasive hardness values (H a) than when the standard was initially for materials that vary considerably in bulk density.
established. As such, care should be taken when interpreting Ha values
from tests using the new abrasive, particularly with regard to current 11. Report
ASTM stone standard specification requirements for abrasion resistance, 11.1 The average of the tests on individual specimens,
which were developed when the original abrasive was still in use. expressed to two significant figures, shall be reported as the
NOTE 3—A new abrasion resistance test has been adopted using the abrasive resistance of the sample, but all results shall be
Taber Abraser (Test Method C 1353 for Abrasion Resistance of Dimension
Stone by the Taber Abraser). Preliminary assessments indicate Ha values
reported as information. The report shall identify the type and
established by the Test Method C 241 appear to be similar to values grade of stone, its source, and the approximate date of removal
produced by Test Method C 1353, however more data are currently being from the quarry.
studied by Subcommittee C18.03.
12. Precision and Bias
10. Calculation
12.1 Individual variations in a natural product may result in
10.1 Calculate the abrasion resistance of each specimen as deviation from accepted values. A precision section will be
follows (Note 4): added when sufficient data are available to indicate acceptable
H a 5 10 G~2000 1 Ws!/2000 W a (1) tolerances in repeatability and reproducibility.

where: 13. Keywords

G = bulk specific gravity of the sample,
13.1 abrasion resistance; durability; stone

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 C 241
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