Sulfate Soundness Test

Gilson offers testing components for the Sulfate Soundness Test separately, allowing users to build the system that best meets their needs. Soundness testing of aggregates in sodium sulfate or magnesium sulfate solutions uses repeated soaking, drying, and rehydration cycles to simulate damage to aggregates caused by natural freeze-thaw action. Salts are deposited in voids during soaking then crystalize upon drying and expand when rehydrated.

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• Sulfate Soundness Test Sieves are used to hold aggregate specimens during testing in a sodium or magnesium sulfate solution. ASTM Opening sizes include No. 5, No. 10, and No. 70.
• 8in Sample Sieve Holder accommodates up to seven stacked sample sieves (depending on sieve frame height) for immersion in sulfate solution for optimum fluid circulation.
• Solution Bucket accommodates one 8in Sieve Holder to immerse the sample stacked sieves into a sulfate solution for testing.
• Washing Bucket is designed to allow water to flow in through the bottom and out through top overflow to rinse off sulfate solution out of the specimens after the immersion cycles.
• Hydrometers measure the specific gravity of the magnesium or sodium sulfate solution ±0.001 SG, available for either magnesium or sodium solution testing.
• Water Bath Tank is used for circulating warm or cool tap water around the Solution Buckets when additional temperature regulation is required, can hold up to four Solution Buckets.
• Platinum RTD Datalogging Thermometers is a digital thermometer that ensures precise temperature measurement of the solution during testing by direct transfer of recorded data to PC or Mac using a USB flash drive as CSV files.
• ASTM S63F Non-Mercury Thermometer is used to check temperatures while mixing solution and for periodic checks of water bath temperatures.

For more information on the Aggregate Soundness Test Apparatus, here are our related blogs:

• Sulfate Soundness Testing: Estimating Aggregate Durability
• Aggregate Properties You Need to Know: Strength & Durability