Scope:

ASTM C324 provides the values of free moisture in the given clay ceramic sample that are very important to be measured and analyzed as shipping of moist clay items may become problematic. Removing the moisture in the oven makes the clay ceramics compact and durable for a longer period of time.

Test Procedure:

In ASTM C324, about 500 g of the sample is weighed. The weighted sample is evenly spread on a porcelain container and is oven-dried at 100-110°C for 24 hours. The sample is reweighed and this value is subtracted from the initial value of the sample to obtain the value of free moisture. Temperature greater than 110°C can affect the composition of the clay. After drying in the oven, the sample is kept in a desiccator to cool down at room temperature.

Specimen Size : 

The clay sample should not be less than 1000 g.

Data:

The following formula is used in ASTM C324 testing to measure the free moisture of the clay ceramic.

Free moisture, dry weight basis, % = [(X-Y)/Y] × 100

Where X is the “as-received sample of the clay” and Y is the “weight of the sample after drying”.

Conclusion:

ASTM C324 provides the values of free moisture in the given clay ceramic sample that are very important to be measured and analyzed as shipping of moist clay items may become problematic.