13/1/2020 Standard Method of Test for Materials Finer Than 75-μm (No.

200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing

Standard Method of Test for Materials Finer Than 75-μm (No. 200)
Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing
AASHTO Designation: T 11-05 (2018)1

Technical Subcommittee: 1c, Aggregates

Release: Group 3 (July)

ASTM Designation: C117-13

1. SCOPE
1.1. This test method covers determination of the amount of material finer than a 75-μm (No. 200) sieve in
aggregate by washing. Clay particles and other aggregate particles that are dispersed by the wash water,
as well as water-soluble materials, will be removed from the aggregate during the test.

1.2. Two procedures are included, one using only water for the washing operation, and the other including a
wetting agent to assist the loosening of the material finer than the 75-μm (No. 200) sieve from the coarser
material. Unless otherwise specified, Procedure A (water only) shall be used.

1.3. The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

1.4. This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport
to address all of the safety concerns associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this
procedure to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to its use.

2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
2.1. AASHTO Standards:
M 231, Weighing Devices Used in the Testing of Materials
R 76, Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size
R 90, Sampling Aggregate Products
T 27, Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates

2.2. ASTM Standards:

C670, Standard Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction
Materials
E11, Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves

3. SUMMARY OF METHOD
3.1. A sample of the aggregate is washed in a prescribed manner, using either plain water or water containing
a wetting agent, as specified. The decanted wash water, containing suspended and dissolved material, is
passed through a 75-μm (No. 200) sieve. The loss in mass resulting from the wash treatment is calculated
as mass percent of the original sample and is reported as the percentage of material finer than a 75-μm
(No. 200) sieve by washing.

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13/1/2020 Standard Method of Test for Materials Finer Than 75-μm (No. 200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing

4. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE

4.1. Material finer than the 75-μm (No. 200) sieve can be separated from larger particles much more efficiently
and completely by wet sieving than through the use of dry sieving. Therefore, when accurate
determinations of material finer than 75 μm in fine or coarse aggregate are desired, this test method is
used on the sample prior to dry sieving in accordance with T 27. The results of this test method are
included in the calculation in T 27, and the total amount of material finer than 75 μm by washing, plus that
obtained by dry sieving the same sample, is reported with the results of T 27. Usually the additional
amount of material finer than 75 μm obtained in the dry-sieving process is a small amount. If it is large,
the efficiency of the washing operation should be checked. A large amount of material could also be an
indication of the degradation of the aggregate.

4.2. Plain water is adequate to separate the material finer than 75 μm from the coarser material in most
aggregates. In some cases, the finer material is adhered to the larger particles, such as in some clay
coatings and coatings on aggregates that have been extracted from bituminous mixtures. In these cases,
the fine material will be separated more readily with a wetting agent in the water.

5. APPARATUS AND MATERIALS

5.1. Balance—The balance shall have sufficient capacity, be readable to 0.1 percent of the sample mass or
better, and conform to the requirements of M 231.

5.2. Sieves—A nest of two sieves, the lower being a 75-μm (No. 200) sieve and the upper being a sieve with
openings in the range of 2.36 mm (No. 8) to 1.18 mm (No. 16), both conforming to the requirement of
ASTM E11.

5.3. Container—A pan or vessel of a size sufficient to contain the sample covered with water and to permit
vigorous agitation without loss of any part of the sample or water.

5.4. Oven—An oven of sufficient size, capable of maintaining a uniform temperature of 110 ± 5°C (230 ± 9°F).
5.5. Wetting Agent—Any dispersing agent, such as liquid dishwashing detergents, that will promote separation
of the fine materials.

Note 1—The use of a mechanical apparatus to perform the washing operation is not precluded, provided
the results are consistent with those obtained using manual operations. The use of some mechanical
washing equipment with some samples may cause degradation of the sample.

6. SAMPLING

6.1. Sample the aggregate in accordance with R 90. If the same test sample is to be tested for sieve analysis
according to T 27, comply with the applicable requirements of that method.

6.2. Thoroughly mix the sample of aggregate to be tested and reduce the quantity to an amount suitable for
testing using the applicable methods described in R 76. If the same test sample is to be tested according to
T 27, the minimum mass shall be as described in the applicable sections of that method. Otherwise, the
mass of the test sample, after drying, shall conform with the following:

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13/1/2020 Standard Method of Test for Materials Finer Than 75-μm (No. 200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing

The test sample shall be the end result of the reduction. Reduction to an exact predetermined mass shall
not be permitted. If the nominal maximum size of the aggregate to be tested is not listed above, the next
larger size listed shall be used to determine sample size.

7. SELECTION OF PROCEDURE

7.1. Procedure A shall be used, unless otherwise specified by the specification with which the test results are to
be compared, or when directed by the agency for which the work is performed.

8. PROCEDURE A—WASHING WITH PLAIN WATER

8.1. Dry the test sample to constant mass at a temperature of 110 ± 5°C (230 ± 9°F). Determine the mass to
the nearest 0.1 percent of the mass of the test sample.

8.2. If the applicable specification requires that the amount passing the 75-μm (No. 200) sieve shall be
determined on a portion of the sample passing a sieve smaller than the nominal maximum size of the
aggregate, separate the sample on the designated sieve and determine the mass of the material passing
the designated sieve to 0.1 percent of the mass of this portion of the test sample. Use this mass as the
original dry mass of the test sample in Section 10.1.

Note 2—Some specifications for aggregates with a nominal maximum size of 50 mm or greater, for
example, provide a limit for material passing the 75-μm (No. 200) sieve determined on that portion of the
sample passing the 25.0-mm sieve. Such procedures are necessary because it is impractical to wash
samples of the size required when the same test sample is to be used for sieve analysis by T 27.

8.3. After drying and determining the mass, place the test sample in the container and add sufficient water to
cover it. No detergent, dispersing agent, or other substance shall be added to the water. Agitate the
sample with sufficient vigor to result in complete separation of all particles finer than the 75-μm (No. 200)
sieve from the coarser particles, and to bring the fine material into suspension. The use of a large spoon or
other similar tool to stir and agitate the aggregate in the wash water has been found satisfactory.
Immediately pour the wash water containing the suspended and dissolved solids over the nested sieves,
arranged with the coarser sieve on top. Take care to avoid, as much as feasible, the decantation of coarser
particles of the sample.

8.4. Add a second charge of water to the sample in the container, agitate, and decant as before. Repeat this
operation until the wash water is clear.

Note 3—If mechanical washing equipment is used, the charging of water, agitating, and decanting may be
a continuous operation.

Note 4—A spray nozzle or a piece of rubber tubing attached to a water faucet may be used to rinse any of
the material that may have fallen onto the sieves. The velocity of water, which may be increased by
pinching the tubing or by use of a nozzle, should not be sufficient to cause any splashing of the sample
over the sides of the sieve.

8.5. Return all material retained on the nested sieves by flushing into the container containing the washed
sample. Dry the washed aggregate to constant mass at a temperature of 110 ± 5°C (230 ± 9°F) and
determine the mass to the nearest 0.1 percent of the original mass of the sample.

Note 5—Following the washing of the sample and flushing any materials retained on the 75-μm (No. 200)
sieve back into the container, no water should be decanted from the container except through the 75-μm
sieve, to avoid loss of material. Excess water from flushing should be evaporated from the sample in the
drying process.

9. PROCEDURE B—WASHING USING A WETTING AGENT

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13/1/2020 Standard Method of Test for Materials Finer Than 75-μm (No. 200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing

9.1. Prepare the sample in the same manner as for Procedure A.

9.2. After drying and determining the mass, place the test sample in the container. Add sufficient water to
cover the sample, and add wetting agent to the water (Note 6). Agitate the sample with sufficient vigor to
result in complete separation of all particles finer than the 75-μm (No. 200) sieve from the coarser
particles, and to bring the fine material into suspension. The use of a large spoon or other similar tool to
stir and agitate the aggregate in the wash water has been found satisfactory. Immediately pour the wash
water containing the suspended and dissolved solids over the nested sieves, arranged with the coarser
sieve on top. Take care to avoid, as much as feasible, the decantation of coarser particles of the sample.

Note 6—There should be enough wetting agent to produce a small amount of suds when the sample is
agitated. The quantity will depend on the hardness of the water and the quality of the detergent. Excessive
suds may overflow the sieves and carry some material with them.

9.3. Add a second charge of water (without wetting agent) to the sample in the container, agitate, and decant
as before. Repeat this operation until the wash water is clear.

9.4. Complete the test as for Procedure A.

10. CALCULATION

10.1. Calculate the amount of material passing a 75-μm (No. 200) sieve by washing as follows:

(1)
where:

A = percentage of material finer than a 75-μm (No. 200) sieve by washing;

B = original dry mass of sample, g; and

C = dry mass of sample after washing, g.

11. REPORT

11.1. Report the percentage of material finer than the 75-μm (No. 200) sieve by washing to the nearest 0.1
percent, except if the result is 10 percent or more, report the percentage to the nearest whole number.

11.2. Include a statement as to which procedure was used.

12. PRECISION AND BIAS

12.1. Precision—The estimates of precision of this test method listed in Table 1 are based on results from the
AASHTO Materials Reference Laboratory Proficiency Sample Program, with testing conducted by this test
method and ASTM C117. The significant differences between the methods at the time the data were
acquired is that T 11 required, and ASTM C117 prohibited, the use of a wetting agent. The data are based
on the analyses of more than 100 paired test results from 40 to 100 laboratories.

Table 1—Precision

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13/1/2020 Standard Method of Test for Materials Finer Than 75-μm (No. 200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing

12.1.1. The precision values for fine aggregate in Table 1 are based on nominal 500-g test samples. Revision of
this test method in 1996 permits the fine aggregate test sample size to be 300 g minimum. Analysis of
results of testing of 300-g and 500-g test samples from Aggregate Proficiency Test Samples 99 and 100
(Samples 99 and 100 were essentially identical) produced the precision values in Table 2, which indicates
only minor differences due to test sample size.

Table 2—Precision Data for 300-g and 500-g Test Samples

Note 7—The values for fine aggregate in Table 1 will be revised to reflect the 300-g test sample size when
a sufficient number of Aggregate Proficiency Tests have been conducted using that sample size to provide
reliable data.

12.2. Bias—Because there is no accepted reference material suitable for determining the bias for the procedure
in this test method, no statement on bias is made.

13. KEYWORDS

13.1. Aggregate; size analysis; wash loss; 75-µm (No. 200) sieve.

1 Except for Sections 5.1 and 6.2, and Note 4, this test method is identical to ASTM C117-13.

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