Standard Test Method for Soundness of Aggregates by Use of Magnesium Sulfate (ASTM C 88)

MgSO4 Solution Preparation : 1) Take 1400 g of the Heptahydrate Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO47H2O) 2) Mix it Well in 1 liter of distilled water at 25 to 30 C. 3) Thoroughly stir the mixture during the addition of the salt and stir the solution at frequent intervals until used 4) To reduce evaporation and prevent contamination, keep the solution covered at all times when access is not needed. 5) Allow the solution to cool to at (21 1C). 6) Again stir, and allow the solution to remain at the designated temperature for at least 48 h before use. 7) Prior to each use, break up the salt cake, if any, in the container, stir the solution thoroughly. 8) Check the Specific Gravity. It should be between 1.295 to 1.308. 9) Discard a discolored solution, or filter it and check for specific gravity. 10) Solution is ready to use.

Note : it is recommended that the heptahydrate salt be used and in an amount of not less than 1400 g/litre of water because an excess of crystals be present.

Test Procedure : Fine Aggregates Sample Preparation: 1) Take 2500 gm fine aggregates passing 100% of 4.75 mm sieve. 2) Wash it 300 mic sieve thoroughly and dry to constant mass. 3) Sieve it & prepare sample on following basic. a) 600 mic passing & 300 mic retained 120 gm b) 1.18 mm passing & 600 mic retained 120 gm c) 2.36 mm passing & 1.18 mm retained 120 gm d) 4.75 mm passing & 2.36 mm retained 120 gm 4) Re-sieve to refusal on same sieve and take sample 1000.1 gm of each part. Note : Should the sample have less than 30% retained on the 300 m sieve, it is deemed to be too fine and no test is done on any fraction. If any fraction constitutes less than 5% of the sample, it shall not be tested. Procedure: 1) Place each fraction in a separate suitable wire basket / Container. 2) Immerse the samples in the prepared solution for 16 to 18 h in such a manner that the solution covers them to a depth of at least 15 mm @ 211 C. 3) After the immersion period, remove the samples from the solution, drain for 30 5 min., and place in drying oven at 1105C for 6 to 8 h. Constant mass will be considered to be achieved when the loss is less than 0.1% of sample mass in 4 h of drying. 4) After achieving constant mass, allow samples to cool to room temp. and immerse in solution. 5) Repeat the process of alternate immersion and drying for 5 cycles. 6) After completion of the final cycle, and after the sample has cooled, wash the sample free from the magnesium sulphate as determined by the reaction of the wash water with a 3% (by mass) barium chloride (BaCl2). 6) Wash by circulating hot tap water (40 to 60C) in their containers. 7) After the MgSO4 has been removed, dry the samples to a constant weight at 110 5.0C. 8) Sieve the fine aggregate over the same sieve on which it was retained before the test, nesting the sieves so that the finest is on the top and the coarsest is on the bottom. 9) Weigh the material retained on each sieve.