ASTM C97

Absorption and Bulk Specific Gravity of Dimension Stone

Applicability: ASTM C97/C97M applies to dimension stone products including granite, marble, limestone, sandstone, slate, and quartzite used in building construction, paving, monuments, and architectural cladding. Test specimens are prepared as cubes or cylinders with a minimum volume of approximately 25 cm³, cut from representative blocks of the parent stone. The method is not suitable for stone containing significant open voids, friable zones, or seams that would yield unrepresentative results.

Purpose: ASTM C97/C97M determines the absorption and bulk specific gravity of dimension stone by measuring the mass of specimens in dry, saturated-surface-dry, and submerged conditions. Absorption is reported as the increase in mass after saturation as a percentage of the dry mass, while bulk specific gravity is calculated from the dry and submerged masses. These properties are key indicators of stone porosity and durability, used to evaluate suitability for exterior cladding, paving, and other construction applications where freeze-thaw and weathering resistance are critical requirements.