This standard may only be used by approved subscription and freemailing clients of the SABS.

ISBN 0-626-17617-4
SANS 6244:2006
Edition 1.1

Any reference to SABS SM 1244 is deemed

to be a reference to this standard
(Government Notice No. 1373 of 8 November 2002)

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

Particles of diameter not exceeding

20 µm and not exceeding 5 µm
and smaller, respectively, in fine
aggregate (pipette method)

Published by Standards South Africa

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www.stansa.co.za
© Standards South Africa
 This standard may only be used by approved subscription and freemailing clients of the SABS.

SANS 6244:2006
Edition 1.1

Table of changes
Change No. Date Scope
Amdt 1 2006 Amended to change the designation of SABS standards to SANS
standards, and to update a referenced standard.

Foreword
This South African standard was approved by National Committee StanSA SC 5120.61A,
Construction standards – Cement, lime and concrete, in accordance with procedures of Standards
South Africa, in compliance with annex 3 of the WTO/TBT agreement.

This edition cancels and replaces the first edition (SABS SM 1244:1994).

A vertical line in the margin shows where the text has been technically modified by amendment
No. 1.
 This standard may only be used by approved subscription and freemailing clients of the SABS.

SANS 6244:2006
Edition 1.1

Particles of diameter not exceeding 20 µm and not exceeding 5 µm and

smaller, respectively, in fine aggregate (pipette method)

1 Scope and principle

This standard specifies a method for determining the proportions of particles of diameter not
exceeding 20 µm and not exceeding 5 µm and smaller, in fine aggregate. Particles of different sizes
in fine aggregate are divided indirect, by means of sedimentation. The relation between the
diameter and settling velocity of spherical particles in water is given by Stokes’ Law. Samples are
taken by means of pipette from an aqueous solution in which the material of known density is
suspended at a given depth. After a specified standing time, and when the particles are dried and
weighed, the proportions of particles of diameter not exceeding 20 µm and of diameter not
exceeding 5 µm and smaller, respectively, are determined.

2 Normative references
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute
provisions of this standard. All standards are subject to revision and, since any reference to a
standard is deemed to be a reference to the latest edition of that standard, parties to agreements
based on this standard are encouraged to take steps to ensure the use of the most recent editions
of the standards indicated below. Information on currently valid national and international standards
can be obtained from Standards South Africa.

SANS 197, Preparation of test samples of aggregates.

SANS 5844, Particle and relative densities of aggregates.

3 Reagents
3.1 Sodium hexametaphosphate solution, 33 g of sodium hexametaphosphate and 7 g of
sodium carbonate dissolved in distilled or deionized water and made up to 1 L.

NOTE The sodium hexametaphosphate solution in not stable for indefinite periods, and fresh solutions need
to be made up at least monthly.

3.2 Water, distilled or deionized water.

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SANS 6244:2006
Edition 1.1

4 Apparatus
4.1 Sedimentation tubes, of capacity approximately 1 200 mL, graduated at 1 000 mL
(essentially 457 mm in height and 63,5 mm in diameter), with glass or rubber stoppers.

NOTE Measuring cylinder of capacity 1 000 mL, that comply with the requirements of SANS 4788, can be
used (preferably the type with glass stoppers, since problems could arise with leakage from the gap between
the lip and the rubber stopper). Amdt 1

4.2 Jars, of capacity approximately 1 L, with watertight screw-type lids.

NOTE 1 kg wide-mouthed fruit-preserving jars are suitable.

4.3 Constant temperature water bath, maintained at 25 °C ± 0,5 °C, in which the sedimentation
tubes (see 4.1) can be immersed up to the 1 000 mL mark, and that is free from vibration.

NOTE The bath is required when the temperature of the test environment is not controlled and when
sedimentation times in excess of 30 min are required (see 6.3).

4.4 Pipette, of capacity 25 mL.

NOTE A calibrated fixed depth sedimentation pipette of 25 mL capacity such as shown in figure 1, is
convenient.

4.5 Thermometer, capable of reading in the range 0 °C to 50 °C and accurate to 0,5 °C.

4.6 Dispersing apparatus, of the type that inverts the jars (see 4.2) approximately 30 times per
minute for the period as specified in 6.2. This preferred apparatus is deemed to disperse the
particles in the material completely, without causing excessive attrition.

NOTE Alternative dispersing equipment (e.g. stirring paddles or shakers) may be used, provided that it can
be demonstrated that the same degree of dispersion can be achieved without causing excessive attrition.

4.7 Glass weighing dishes or beakers, of capacity at least 25 mL.

5 Preparation of sample
Dry a test sample of approximately 2 kg (see SANS 197) to constant mass at a temperature of
100 °C to 110 °C.

6 Procedure
6.1 From the dried sample (see clause 5), weigh a portion (of known relative density, determined
in accordance with SANS 5844) of about 300 g accurately to within 0,1 g (mass M) and place it in a
jar (see 4.2). Add approximately 250 mL of water and 50 mL of the sodium hexametaphosphate
solution (see 3.1). Stir with a glass rod and leave to soak for at least 2 h.

6.2 Close the jar water-tight and disperse the contents for 0,5 h, using the dispersing apparatus
(see 4.6). If a dispersing apparatus other than that described in 4.6 is used, ensure that the period
for dispersion is commensurate with the efficiency of the apparatus.

6.3 Pour the suspension into the sedimentation tube (see 4.1) and transfer any residue by gently
swirling and decanting with successive 150 mL volumes of water. Make up to 1 000 mL with water.
Insert the stopper and allow the sedimentation tube to stand until its contents have reached the

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SANS 6244:2006
Edition 1.1

temperature of the controlled environment, or, if applicable, transfer the sedimentation tube, with
contents, to the constant temperature water bath (see 4.3) and allow the tube to stand immersed in
the water up to the 1 000 mL gradation mark for the period required for its contents to reach the
temperature of the bath.

NOTE The tube is allowed to stand until its contents have reached the temperature of the controlled
environment, but has to be kept well away from any external source of heat. For a test environment that is not
temperature controlled and for sedimentation times in excess of 30 min, a constant water bath is essential.

6.4 Ensure that the contents of the tube have attained the desired environmental temperature (air
or water bath) and shake the tube, with the contents, thoroughly by inverting the tube several times,
to bring all solid matter into suspension. Remove the stopper and place the tube back into the
original environment, ensuring that the tube stands in a fixed vertical position. Record, to the
nearest 1 s, the time at which the tube is at rest as the start of the standing time.

NOTE Any material that remains at the bottom of the tube during the first few turns has to be loosened by
vigorous shaking of the tube while it is in the inverted position.

6.5 Approximately 30 s before the test specimen is due to be taken, carefully lower the 25 mL
pipette (see 4.4) vertically into the centre of the suspension until the end is 100 mm ± 1 mm below
the surface of the suspension, taking care not to cause any turbulence. Draw up 25 mL of the
suspension after the elapse of the appropriate standing time given in table 1, subject to the
following provisions:

a) for the determination of particle size not exceeding 20 µm and for a controlled temperature other
than 25 °C, add or subtract 5 s for every 1 °C lower or higher than 25 °C, respectively; and

b) for the determination of particle size not exceeding 5 µm and for a controlled temperature other
than 25 °C, add or subtract 1 min 30 s for every 1 °C lower or higher than 25 °C, respectively.

6.6 Pipette the 25 mL suspension into the weighing dish (see 4.7) of known mass determined to
the nearest 0,001 g. Wash any suspension left in the pipette into the dish, evaporate, and dry the
suspension at a temperature of 100 °C to 110 °C.

6.7 After cooling, weigh the dish and contents to the nearest 0,001 g and determine the mass of
the solids (mass m).

6.8 Repeat the procedures given in 6.1 to 6.7 on a further portion of the material.

6.9 Repeat the procedures given in 6.3 to 6.7 on a solution without the sample, and determine the
mass of the sodium hexametaphosphate (mass mh).

NOTE It is not necessary to time the operation, and the depth at which the sample is taken is not important.

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SANS 6244:2006
Edition 1.1

Table 1 — Sampling times for different particle sizes and densities at 25 °C

1 2 3 4 5
Standing time
Particle density 20 µm 5 µm
min s min s
2,50 4 35 72 30
2,55 4 25 70 30
2,60 4 15 68 0
2,65 4 10 66 0
2,70 4 0 64 0
2,75 3 55 62 30
2,80 3 45 60 30
2,85 3 40 59 0
2,90 3 35 57 30
2,95 3 30 56 0
3,00 3 25 54 30
3,05 3 20 53 0
3,10 3 15 52 0
3,15 3 10 50 30
3,20 3 5 49 30

7 Expression and reporting of results

7.1 Calculate, to the nearest 0,1 %, the mass percentage of particles of diameter not exceeding
20 µm or not exceeding 5 µm, as relevant, as follows:

40 ( m − mh )
× 100
M

where

m is the mass of solids in 25 mL of suspension, as relevant, in grams (see 6.7);

mh is the mass of sodium hexametaphosphate in 25 mL in the control, in grams (see 6.9);and

M is the mass of the original portion taken, in grams (see 6.1).

7.2 Report the average of the two determinations, as relevant, to the nearest 0,1 %.

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SANS 6244:2006
Edition 1.1

Figure 1 — Fixed-depth sedimentation pipette

Annex A
(informative)

Bibliography
SANS 4788/ISO 4788 (SABS ISO 4788), Laboratory glassware – Graduated measuring cylinders.
Amdt 1

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