Water-extractable chloride, when present in sufficient amount, has a potential to initiate or accelerate corrosion of metals, such as steel, embedded in or contacting a cementitious system, such as mortar, grout, or concrete. This test method is applicable when aggregates contain a high background of naturally occurring chloride (see ACI 222.1–96 ). Test Method C 1152/C 1152M determines acid-soluble chloride and Test Method C 1218/C 1218M determines water-soluble chloride. Both Test Methods C 1152/C 1152M and C 1218/C 1218M pulverize the sample to a fine powder or fine granular material. The Soxhlet method is intended to use nonpulverized material. Results with some aggregates have shown that the Soxhlet procedure extracts an extremely low amount of chloride, with most of it remaining in the rock, and therefore, it is not available for corrosion.

The Soxhlet extraction apparatus consists of three sections: the boiling flask, which contains reagent water at the beginning of the test; the extractor, which contains the sample inside a thimble; and, the condenser. The extractor functions by boiling the water, which condenses and drips on to the sample. When the water attains a fixed height above the sample, the extractor siphons the water from the thimble back to the boiling flask. The process repeats itself until the test is terminated. (Refer to Fig. 1.)

FIG. 1 Soxhlet Extraction Apparatus

1.1 This test method provides procedures for sampling and analysis of aggregate for water-extractable chloride using a Soxhlet extractor.

Note 1—This test method is to be used when significantly high chloride content has been found in aggregates, concretes, or mortars.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.

1.3 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.