This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: C117 − 23

Standard Test Method for

Materials Finer than 75-µm (No. 200) Sieve in Mineral
Aggregates by Washing1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C117; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the amount 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
of material finer than a 75-µm (No. 200) sieve in aggregate by C136/C136M Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and
washing. Clay particles and other aggregate particles that are Coarse Aggregates
dispersed by the wash water, as well as water-soluble materials, C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
will be removed from the aggregate during the test. for Test Methods for Construction Materials
C702/C702M Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate
1.2 Two procedures are included, one using only water for
to Testing Size
the washing operation, and the other including a wetting agent
D75/D75M Practice for Sampling Aggregates
to assist the loosening of the material finer than the 75-µm (No.
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
200) sieve from the coarser material. Unless otherwise
Sieves
specified, Procedure A (water only) shall be used.
2.2 AASHTO Standard:
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the T11 Method of Test for Amount of Material Finer than
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 0.075-mm Sieve in Aggregate3
standard.
3. Summary of Test Method
NOTE 1—Sieve size is identified by its standard designation in Speci-
fication E11. The alternative designation given in parentheses is for 3.1 A sample of the aggregate is washed in a prescribed
information only and does not represent a different standard sieve size. manner, using either plain water or water containing a wetting
1.4 The text of this standard refers to notes and footnotes agent, as specified. The decanted wash water, containing
that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes suspended and dissolved material, is passed through a 75-µm
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered (No. 200) sieve. The loss in mass resulting from the wash
as requirements of the standard. treatment is calculated as mass percent of the original sample
and is reported as the percentage of material finer than a 75-µm
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the (No. 200) sieve by washing.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4. Significance and Use
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- 4.1 Material finer than the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve can be
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. separated from larger particles much more efficiently and
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor- completely by wet sieving than through the use of dry sieving.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- Therefore, when accurate determinations of material finer than
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 75 µm (No. 200) in fine or coarse aggregate are desired, this
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- test method is used on the sample prior to dry sieving in
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical accordance with Test Method C136/C136M. The results of this
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. test method are included in the calculation in Test Method

2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Concrete and Concrete Aggregatesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
C09.20 on Aggregates. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2023. Published November 2023. Originally Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation
approved in 1935. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as C117 – 17. DOI: Officials (AASHTO), 555 12th St., NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20004,
10.1520/C0117-23. http://www.transportation.org.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 C117 − 23
C136/C136M, and the total amount of material finer than 75 Nominal Maximum SizeA Minimum Mass, g
µm (No. 200) by washing, plus that obtained by dry sieving the
4.75 mm (No. 4) or smaller 300
same sample, is reported with the results of Test Method Greater than 4.75 mm (No. 4) 1000
C136/C136M. Usually, the additional amount of material finer to 9.5 mm (3⁄8 in.)
than 75 µm (No. 200) obtained in the dry sieving process is a Greater than 9.5 mm (3⁄8 in.) 2500
to 19.0 mm (3⁄4 in.)
small amount. If it is large, the efficiency of the washing Greater than 19.0 mm (3⁄4 in.) 5000
operation should be checked. It could also be an indication of
degradation of the aggregate. A
Based on sieve sizes meeting Specification E11.

4.2 Plain water is adequate to separate the material finer

than 75 µm (No. 200) from the coarser material with most 7. Selection of Procedure
aggregates. In some cases, the finer material is adhering to the 7.1 Procedure A shall be used, unless otherwise specified by
larger particles, such as some clay coatings and coatings on the Specification with which the test results are to be
aggregates that have been extracted from bituminous mixtures. compared, or when directed by the agency for which the work
In these cases, the fine material will be separated more readily is performed.
with a wetting agent in the water.
8. Procedure A—Washing with Plain Water
5. Apparatus and Materials
8.1 Dry the test sample in the oven to constant mass at a
5.1 Balance—A balance or scale readable and accurate to temperature of 110 °C 6 5 °C. Determine the mass to the
0.1 g or 0.1 % of the test load, whichever is greater, at any nearest 0.1 % of the mass of the test sample.
point within the range of use.
8.2 If the applicable specification requires that the amount
5.2 Sieves—A nest of two sieves, the lower being a 75-µm passing the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve shall be determined on a
(No. 200) sieve and the upper a 1.18-mm (No. 16) sieve, both portion of the sample passing a sieve smaller than the nominal
conforming to the requirements of Specification E11. maximum size of the aggregate, separate the sample on the
5.3 Container—A pan or vessel of a size sufficient to designated sieve and determine the mass of the material
contain the sample covered with water and to permit vigorous passing the designated sieve to 0.1 % of the mass of this
agitation without loss of any part of the sample or water. portion of the test sample. Use this mass as the original dry
5.4 Oven—An oven of sufficient size, capable of maintain- mass of the test sample in 10.1.
ing a uniform temperature of 110 °C 6 5 °C. NOTE 3—Some specifications for aggregates with a nominal maximum
size of 50 mm or greater, for example, provide a limit for material passing
5.5 Wetting Agent—Any dispersing agent, such as liquid the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve determined on that portion of the sample
dishwashing detergents, that will promote separation of the fine passing the 25.0-mm (1-in.) sieve. Such procedures are necessary since it
materials. is impractical to wash samples of the size required when the same test
sample is to be used for sieve analysis by Test Method C136/C136M.
NOTE 2—The use of a mechanical apparatus to perform the washing
operation is not precluded, provided the results are consistent with those 8.3 After drying and determining the mass, place the test
obtained using manual operations. The use of some mechanical washing sample in the container and add sufficient water to cover it. No
equipment with some samples may cause degradation of the sample. detergent, dispersing agent, or other substance shall be added
6. Sampling to the water. Agitate the sample with sufficient vigor to result
in complete separation of all particles finer than the 75-µm (No.
6.1 Sample the aggregate in accordance with Practice D75/ 200) sieve from the coarser particles, and to bring the fine
D75M. If the same test sample is to be tested for sieve analysis material into suspension. Immediately pour the wash water
according to Test Method C136/C136M, comply with the containing the suspended and dissolved solids over the nested
applicable requirements of that test method. sieves, arranged with the coarser sieve on top. Take care to
6.2 Thoroughly mix the sample of aggregate to be tested avoid, as much as feasible, the decantation of coarser particles
and reduce the quantity to an amount suitable for testing using of the sample.
the applicable methods described in Practice C702/C702M. If 8.4 Add a second charge of water to the sample in the
the same test sample is to be tested according to Test Method container, agitate, and decant as before. Repeat this operation
C136/C136M, the minimum mass shall be as described in the until the wash water is clear.
applicable sections of that method. Otherwise, the mass of the
test sample, after drying, shall conform with the following: NOTE 4—If mechanical washing equipment is used, the charging of
water, agitating, and decanting may be a continuous operation.
8.5 Return all material retained on the nested sieves by
flushing to the washed sample. Dry the washed aggregate in the
oven to constant mass at a temperature of 110 °C 6 5 °C and
determine the mass to the nearest 0.1 % of the original mass of
the sample.
NOTE 5—Following the washing of the sample and flushing any
material 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

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 C117 − 23
(No. 200) sieve, to avoid loss of material. Excess water from flushing 12. Precision and Bias
should be evaporated from the sample in the drying process.
12.1 Precision—The estimates of precision of this test
9. Procedure B—Washing Using Wetting Agent method listed in Table 1 are based on results from the
AASHTO Materials Reference Laboratory Proficiency Sample
9.1 Prepare the sample in the same manner as for Procedure Program, with testing conducted by this test method and
A. AASHTO Method T 11. The significant differences between
9.2 After drying and determining the mass, place the test the methods at the time the data were acquired is that Method
sample in the container. Add sufficient water to cover the T 11 required, while Test Method C117 prohibited, the use of
sample, and add wetting agent to the water (Note 6). Agitate a wetting agent. The data are based on the analyses of more
the sample with sufficient vigor to result in complete separation than 100 paired test results from 40 to 100 laboratories.
of all particles finer than the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve from the 12.1.1 The precision values for fine aggregate in Table 1 are
coarser particles, and to bring the fine material into suspension. based on nominal 500-g test samples. Revision of this test
Immediately pour the wash water containing the suspended and method in 1994 permits the fine aggregate test sample size to
dissolved solids over the nested sieves, arranged with the be 300 g minimum. Analysis of results of testing of 300-g and
coarser sieve on top. Take care to avoid, as much as feasible, 500-g test samples from Aggregate Proficiency Test Samples
the decantation of coarser particles of the sample. 99 and 100 (Samples 99 and 100 were essentially identical)
NOTE 6—There should be enough wetting agent to produce a small
produced the precision values in Table 2, which indicates only
amount of suds when the sample is agitated. The quantity will depend on minor differences due to test sample size.
the hardness of the water and the quality of the detergent. Excessive suds
NOTE 7—The values for fine aggregate in Table 1 will be revised to
may overflow the sieves and carry some material with them.
reflect the 300-g test sample size when a sufficient number of Aggregate
9.3 Add a second charge of water (without wetting agent) to Proficiency Tests have been conducted using that sample size to provide
the sample in the container, agitate, and decant as before. reliable data.
Repeat this operation until the wash water is clear. 12.2 Bias—Since there is no accepted reference material
9.4 Complete the test as described in Procedure A. suitable for determining the bias for the procedure in this test
method, no statement on bias is made.
10. Calculation 13. Keywords
10.1 Calculate the amount of material passing a 75-µm (No. 13.1 aggregate; coarse aggregate; fine aggregate; grading;
200) sieve by washing as follows: loss by washing; 75-µm (No. 200) sieve; size analysis
A 5 @ ~ B 2 C ! /B # × 100 (1)
TABLE 1 Precision
where:
Acceptable Range
A = percentage of material finer than a 75-µm (No. 200) Standard
of two Results
Deviation (1s)A , %
sieve by washing, (d2s)A , %
B = original dry mass of sample, g, and Coarse AggregateB
C = dry mass of sample after washing, g. Single-Operator Precision 0.10 0.28
Multilaboratory Precision 0.22 0.62
Fine AggregateC
11. Report Single-Operator Precision 0.15 0.43
Multilaboratory Precision 0.29 0.82
11.1 Report the following information: A
These numbers represent the (1s) and (d2s) limits as described in Practice
11.1.1 Report the percentage of material finer than the C670.
75-µm (No. 200) sieve by washing to the nearest 0.1 %, except B
Precision estimates are based on aggregates having a nominal maximum size of
if the result is 10 % or more, report the percentage to the 19.0 mm (3⁄4 in.) with less than 1.5% finer than the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve.
C
Precision estimates are based on fine aggregates having 1.0 to 3.0 % finer than
nearest whole number. the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve.
11.1.2 Include a statement as to which procedure was used.

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 C117 − 23
TABLE 2 Precision Data for 300-g and 500-g Test Samples
Within Between
Fine Aggregate Proficiency Sample
Laboratory Laboratory
Sample No. of
Test Result Average 1s d2s 1s d2s
Size Labs
AASHTO T11/ASTM 500 g 270 1.23 0.08 0.24 0.23 0.66
C117
Total material 300 g 264 1.20 0.10 0.29 0.24 0.68
passing the 75–µm
(No. 200) sieve by
washing (%)

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (C117 – 17)
that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved November 15, 2023.)

(1) Section 1.3 – Added Note 1 and renumbered subsequent (3) Section 4 – Added U.S. sieve designations.
notes. (4) Section 9.4 – Revised to improve clarity.
(2) Section 1.4 – Revised to use the current version of the (5) Section 12.1 – Revised Note B for Table 1 to make 3⁄4 in.
statement. the equivalent of 19.0 mm.

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