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

ISBN 0-626-17616-6
SANS 6241:2006
Edition 1.1

Any reference to SABS SM 1241 is deemed

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

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

Particle size distribution of material of

diameter smaller than 75 µm in fine
aggregate (hydrometer method)

Published by Standards South Africa

1 dr lategan road groenkloof private bag x191 pretoria 0001
tel: 012 428 7911 fax: 012 344 1568 international code + 27 12
www.stansa.co.za
© Standards South Africa
 This standard may only be used by approved subscription and freemailing clients of the SABS.

SANS 6241:2006
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 1241:1994).

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 6241:2006
Edition 1.1

Particle size distribution of material of diameter smaller than 75 µm in

fine aggregate (hydrometer method)

1 Scope
This standard specifies a method for determining the distribution of particle sizes smaller than
75°µm in fine aggregate. Particles are divided in indirect, by means of sedimentation. The relation
between the diameter, density and settling velocity of spherical particles in water is given by Stokes’
Law. Hydrometer readings are taken in aqueous solution (after suitable intervals of setting times) in
which the material of known apparent relative density is suspended, and the quantity of material
that has a particle size of, and finer than, the prescribed sizes, is determined.

NOTE Although consistent and comparable results can be obtained if the method is followed in detail, it is
based on various assumptions and does not give absolute results. A better approximation to actual values can
be obtained if a pipette method (see SANS 6244) is followed.

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.

ASTM E 100, ASTM hydrometers.

SANS 197, Preparation of test samples of aggregates.

SANS 201 (SABS SM 829), Sieve analysis, fines content and dust content 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 6241:2006
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 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 clause 8).

4.4 Dispersing apparatus, of the type that inverts the jars (see 4.2) approximately 30 times per
minute for the period as specified in 7.2. 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.

4.5 ASTM hydrometer, that complies with the requirements for hydrometer 152 H in ASTM E 100.

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

5 Preparation of sample
Take a test of sampler of approximately 2 kg (see SANS 197) of which the relative density and the
percentage of material that passes the 75 µm sieve, determined in accordance with SANS 5844
and SANS 201, respectively, is known, and dry it to constant mass at a temperature of 100 °C
to 110 °C.

6 Corrections for hydrometer readings

NOTE Hydrometers are calibrated to read correctly at the surface of a liquid. However, suspensions that
contain fines may not be transparent enough to permit a reading to be taken at the surface as a result of liquid
being drawn up on the stem of the hydrometer through surface tension, and a correction needs to be made.

6.1 Insert the hydrometer in the centre of a sedimentation tube that contains approximately
700 mL water. Place the eye slightly below the plane of the surface of the liquid and then, raising
the hydrometer slowly until the surface seen as an ellipse becomes a straight line, determine the
point where the plane intersects the hydrometer scale (reading R1). Place the eye slightly above the
plane of the surface of the liquid, and determine the point where the upper meniscus intersects the
hydrometer scale (reading R2). Record the difference between readings R1 and R2 as the meniscus
correction Cm.

NOTES

1 The hydrometer prescribed is calibrated at 20 °C. Variation in the temperature causes a deviation from the
actual hydrometer reading.

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SANS 6241:2006
Edition 1.1

2 Equations for the calculation of percentages of fines remaining in suspension, as given in 8.1, are based on
the use of distilled or deionized water. A dispersion agent is used in the water, and the relative density of the
resulting liquid is appreciably higher than that of the water alone.

6.2 Prepare 1 000 mL of liquid composed of distilled or deionized water and sodium
hexametaphosphate solution in the same proportion as will prevail in the sedimentation
(hydrometer) test (see 7.1 and 7.3) as a control to determine the correction factor. Place the
solution in the sedimentation tube, and take hydrometer readings at the same times as for the
suspension under test, as described in 7.4 to 7.7. Subtract the differences Cc between the readings
so obtained and zero, from the readings Rt (see 7.7) obtained with the hydrometer in the
suspension containing the material.

7 Procedure
7.1 From the dried sample (see clause 5), weigh a portion (of known relative density, determined
in accordance with SANS 5844) of approximately 100 g accurately to within 0,1 g (mass N) and
place it in a jar (see 4.2). Add approximately 200 mL of water and 100 mL of the sodium
hexametaphosphate solution (see 3.1). Stir with a glass rod and leave to soak for at least 2 h.

7.2 Close the jar watertight and disperse the contents for 0,5 h, using the dispersing apparatus
(see 4.4). If a dispersing apparatus other than that described in 4.4 is used, ensure that the period
for dispersion is commensurate with the efficiency of the apparatus.

7.3 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 sedimentation tube to stand until its contents have reached the
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 well kept 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 temperature water bath is
essential.

7.4 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.

7.5 Approximately 15 s before the hydrometer readings are to be taken, carefully insert the
hydrometer vertically into the centre of the suspension, to approximately the depth it will have when
the reading is taken, taking care not to cause any turbulence.

7.6 Take and record readings (Rt) after periods of 0,5 min, 2 min and 4 min of standing time.
Slowly remove the hydrometer, rinse it in water and keep it in the control (see 6.2), at the same
temperature as the suspension.

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SANS 6241:2006
Edition 1.1

7.7 Re-insert the hydrometer into the suspension and take readings (Rt) after periods of 8 min,
15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h of standing time. Remove the hydrometer after each reading is
taken, as described in 7.6. Record the temperature of the suspension, to the nearest 0,5 °C, once
during the first 15 min and then after every subsequent reading.

NOTE Insertion and withdrawal of the hydrometer before and after taking readings have to be carried out
with care so as not to cause excessive disturbance of the suspension. Vibration of the sample has to be
avoided.

8 Expression and reporting of results

8.1 Percentage of fines in suspension
Calculate the mass percentage of material (M), expressed as a percentage of the material of mass
N that passed through a 75 µm sieve (see clause 5 and 7.1) and that remains in suspension after
the appropriate time, at the depth at which the hydrometer is measuring the density of the
suspension, as follows;

M = P/X × 100

where

M is the mass percentage of material in suspension;

X is the mass percentage of material that passed through the 75 µm sieve; and

P = (Ra/N) × 100

where

a is the correction factor for the apparent relative density of the material (see table 1);

N is the mass of the sample dispersed (see 7.1), in grams; and

R is the corrected hydrometer reading, calculated as follows:

R = (Rt + Cm) − Cc

where

Rt is hydrometer reading, in millimetres, taken after the appropriate standing time

(see 7.6 and 7.7)

Cm is the meniscus correction (see 6.1), in millimetres; and

Cc is the temperature and dispersing agent corrections (see 6.2).

NOTE M is expressed as a percentage of the material that passed the 75 µm sieve.

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SANS 6241:2006
Edition 1.1

8.2 Diameter of particles

Calculate the diameter D of particles that correspond to the relevant percentage M indicated by the
hydrometer reading as determined in accordance with clause 7 as follows:

D = K L / 10T

where

D is the appropriate diameter of the particles, in millimetres;

K is a constant depending on the temperature and the apparent relative density of the
particles (see table 2);

L is the effective depth, in millimetres, in the suspension at which the density is being
measured according to the appropriate hydrometer reading (see table 3); and

T is the time interval from the beginning of sedimentation to the taking of the appropriate
hydrometer reading (see 7.6 and 7.7), in minutes.

8.3 Graph
Plot the diameters of the particles D, as the abscissa against the percentages M that are smaller
than the corresponding diameters, as the ordinate on an arithmetic scale. From the graph, read off
and record the percentages of the particle sizes of, and those finer than, the prescribed sizes.

Report these percentages, expressed as cumulative percentages of the particle sizes of, and those
finer than, the prescribed sizes, to the nearest 0,1 % of the total sample.

Table 1 — Correction factor a for different apparent relative densities

1 2
Apparent relative Correction factor
density a
2,95 0,94
2,90 0,95
2,85 0,96
2,80 0,97
2,75 0,98
2,70 0,99
2,65 1.00
2,60 1,01
2,55 1,02
2,50 1,03
2,45 1,05

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SANS 6241:2006
Edition 1.1

Table 2 — Values of K1) for calculating diameters of particles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1)
Values of K
Temperature
Apparent relative density of particles
°C 2,45 2,50 2,55 2,60 2,65 2,70 2,75 2,80 2,85
16 0,01520 0,01505 0,01481 0,01457 0,01435 0,01414 0,01394 0,01374 0,01356
17 0,01511 0,01486 0,01462 0,01439 0,01417 0,01396 0,01376 0,01356 0,01338
18 0,01492 0,01467 0,01442 0,01421 0,01399 0,01378 0,01359 0,01339 0,01321
19 0,01474 0,01449 0,01443 0,01403 0,01382 0,01361 0,01342 0,01323 0,01305
20 0,01456 0,01431 0,01408 0,01486 0,01365 0,01344 0,01325 0,01307 0,01289
21 0,01438 0,01414 0,01391 0,01369 0,01348 0,01328 0,01309 0,01291 0,01273
22 0,01421 0,01397 0,01374 0,01353 0,01332 0,01312 0,01294 0,01276 0,01258
23 0,01404 0,01381 0,01358 0,01337 0,01317 0,01297 0,01279 0,01261 0,01243
24 0,01388 0,01365 0,01342 0,01321 0,01301 0,01282 0,01264 0,01246 0,01229
25 0,01372 0,01349 0,01327 0,01306 0,01286 0,01267 0,01249 0,01232 0,01215
26 0,01357 0,01334 0,01312 0,01291 0,01272 0,01253 0,01235 0,01218 0,01201
27 0,01342 0,01319 0,01297 0,01277 0,01258 0,01239 0,01221 0,01204 0,01188
28 0,01327 0,01304 0,01283 0,01264 0,01244 0,01225 0,01208 0,01191 0,01175
29 0,01312 0,01290 0,01269 0,01249 0,01230 0,01212 0,01195 0,01178 0,01162
30 0,01298 0,01276 0,01256 0,01236 0,01217 0,01199 0,01182 0,01165 0,01149
1) K is a constant depending on the temperature and the apparent relative density of the particles.

Table 3 — Effective length L, based on hydrometer reading

1 2 1 2 1 2
Actual Effective depth Actual Effective depth Actual Effective depth
hydrometer L hydrometer L hydrometer L
reading mm reading mm reading mm
0 16,3 21 12,9 41 9,6
1 16,1 22 12,7 42 9,4
2 16,0 23 12,5 43 9,2
3 15,8 24 12,4 44 9,1
4 15,6 25 12,2 45 8,9
5 15,5 26 12,0 46 8,8
6 15,3 27 11,9 47 8,6
7 15,2 28 11,7 48 8,4
8 15,0 29 11,5 49 8,3
9 14,8 30 11,4 50 8,1
10 14,7 31 11,2 51 7,9
11 14,5 32 11,1 52 7,8
12 14,3 33 10,9 53 7,6
13 14,2 34 10,7 54 7,4
14 14,0 35 10,6 55 7,3
15 13,8 36 10,4 56 7,1
16 13,7 37 10,2 57 7,0
17 13,5 38 10,1 58 6,8
18 13,3 39 9,9 59 6,6
19 13,2 40 9,7 60 6,5
20 13,0

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SANS 6241:2006
Edition 1.1

Annex A
(informative)

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

SANS 6244, Particles of diameter not exceeding 20 µm and not exceeding 5 µm and smaller,
respectively, in fine aggregate (pipette method).

© Standards South Africa