ASTM C272 Water Absorption of Core Materials
Water absorption verification of structured core materials is done by ASTM C272 test method. Samples are first exposed to an aqueous environment, and then dried under specific conditions. Percentage change in weight before and after water treatment is presented as a result.
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- Overview
- Scope, Applications, and Benefits
- Test Process
- Specifications
- Instrumentation
- Results and Deliverables
Overview
ASTM C272 describes a standardized test method for determining the water absorption characteristics of core materials used in sandwich construction, such as foams, balsa, and honeycomb structures. The test indicates the amount of water absorbed by these materials when immersed in water or exposed to high relative humidity.
This method is essential for evaluating the durability and performance of sandwich structures, since absorbed water can drastically impair mechanical properties and dimensional stability, and reduce long-term reliability. ASTM C272 provides quantitative data to support material selection, quality control, and design decisions for applications where moisture exposure is a concern.
Scope, Applications, and Benefits
Scope
ASTM C272 outlines procedures for measuring water absorption of lightweight core materials subjected to immersion or humid environments under specified conditions and durations.
It evaluates:
- Water uptake due to immersion or humidity exposure
- Change in mass of core materials
- Moisture susceptibility of sandwich core structures
- Effects of moisture on material integrity and performance
The standard applies to core materials with both continuous connecting surfaces (e.g., foam and balsa) and discontinuous connecting surfaces (e.g., honeycomb structures).
Applications
- Material selection for sandwich panel construction
- Quality control of foam, balsa, and honeycomb cores
- Performance evaluation in moisture-prone environments
- Aerospace structural panel testing
- Marine and offshore applications
- Construction and infrastructure components exposed to humidity or water
Benefits
- Provides quantitative water absorption data
- Supports the evaluation of moisture-induced degradation risks
- Helps predict long-term performance in humid or wet environments
- Enables comparison of different core materials under standardized conditions
- Assists in design optimization and durability assessment
- Improves confidence in the environmental resistance of sandwich structures
Test Process
Specimen Preparation
Core material specimens are cut to specified dimensions with care to avoid damaging the internal structure. Samples are oven-dried to remove pre-existing moisture and cooled in a desiccator before weighing.
1Conditioning Environment
Specimens are subjected to one of three conditioning methods: immersion in water, exposure to elevated temperature and humidity, or testing to determine maximum weight gain.
2Water Absorption Exposure
Samples are immersed or conditioned for specified durations (24 hours, 48 hours, or up to 30 days), depending on the selected test method.
3Weighing & Measurement
After conditioning, specimens are dried as specified, cooled, and weighed using an analytical balance to determine weight change due to water absorption.
4Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Applicable Materials | Foam, balsa, honeycomb, and other sandwich core materials |
| Specimen Size | Approximately 75 × 75 × 25 mm (3 × 3 × 1 inch) |
| Number of Specimens | Typically five specimens per test |
| Preconditioning | Oven-dried at 60 ± 5°C until constant weight |
| Conditioning Methods | Method A: 24-hour immersion Method B: Elevated temperature and humidity Method C: Maximum percent weight gain |
| Measured Output | Percentage increase in weight due to water absorption |
Instrumentation Used for Testing
- Temperature-controlled drying oven
- Desiccator for specimen cooling
- Deionized water immersion containers
- Environmental chambers for humidity exposure
- Analytical balance with 0.1 mg resolution
- Calipers or cutting tools for specimen preparation
- Data recording and calculation tools
Results and Deliverables
- Percentage water absorption of core materials
- Comparison of absorption behavior across test methods
- Identification of moisture susceptibility for material selection
- Data supporting quality control and compliance requirements
- Performance assessment for aerospace, marine, and construction applications
- Documentation for durability and environmental resistance evaluation
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Read Case StudyFrequently Asked Questions
Water absorption is the amount of water absorbed by a material, calculated as the ratio of water absorbed to the weight of the dry material.
The maximum water absorption limit for coarse aggregates in any climatic condition should not exceed 2%. And for fine aggregates, the range varies from 0.3–2.5%. The permissible limit of fine aggregates is 3%. However, it may increase or decrease depending on the type of sand (crushed/natural).
While the precise limit varies depending on the standard in a given region, regular aggregates' water absorption is often limited by less than 3%. Granite aggregates, for instance, typically absorb 0.5% of their bulk in water.
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