ASTM C602

Agricultural Liming Materials

Applicability: ASTM C602 is a standard specification primarily applicable to agricultural liming materials, defining requirements for materials like quicklime, hydrated lime, limestone, marl, shells, and by-products (slag, kiln dust) used to adjust soil pH and provide calcium/magnesium for crops, focusing on calcium carbonate equivalent, moisture, particle size (via sieves), and elemental content. Its applicability covers quality control for these natural and processed soil amendments, ensuring farmers get effective products for soil amendment, not for construction or industrial uses.

Purpose: The purpose of ASTM C602 is to provide a standard specification for agricultural liming materials, such as limestone, marl, shells, quicklime, and by-products like slag, ensuring consistent quality for soil amendment by defining requirements for calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE), moisture, particle size (sieve analysis), and mineral content (calcium/magnesium). It standardizes testing and reporting for materials used to adjust soil pH and improve plant health.