The determination of wood fiber in asbestos-cement products is necessary because such fibers may be added when multi-wall paper bags containing the asbestos are included in the batch formulations, or cellulose may be added as a processing aid during the manufacture of the products.

Although moderate concentrations of wood fiber usually have a negligible effect on product durability and performance, higher concentrations can have deleterious effects on products exposed to moisture and thermal shocks.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the cellulose content of asbestos-cement products. Refer to Note 1 and Note 2.

1.2 Before this test method can be used for the determination of other organic substances in asbestos-cement, it must be ascertained that accurate results can be obtained by correlation trials with known concentrations of the organic substances in question present in samples of asbestos-cement.

1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

1.4 WarningBreathing of asbestos dust is hazardous. Asbestos and asbestos products present demonstrated health risks for users and for those with whom they come into contact. In addition to other precautions, when working with asbestos-cement products, minimize the dust that results. For information on the safe use of chrysoltile asbestos, refer to “Safe Use of Chrysotile Asbestos: A Manual on Preventive and Control Measures.”

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. See 1.4 for a specific safety warning. ^REFERENCE:

ASTM Standards:

C114 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement

D1193 Specification for Reagent Water

E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves

ACS Standard:

Reagent Chemicals, American Chemical Society Specifications