Brick Water Absorption and Saturation Coefficient Test
Record ASTM C67 brick water absorption, boiling absorption, and saturation coefficient in one traceable inspection. Use it to compare sampled brick against project limits and document durability acceptance.
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Built for: Construction · Masonry And Building Materials · Quality Assurance · Third Party Testing Laboratories
Overview
This template documents the ASTM C67 brick absorption workflow from specimen identification through final disposition. It captures project and supplier traceability, specimen condition and preparation, 24-hour cold water absorption, 5-hour boiling absorption, saturation coefficient, and the final review against project or specification limits.
Use it when you need a repeatable record for sampled brick that will be compared against acceptance criteria, durability classification requirements, or a submittal package. It is especially useful for incoming material checks, supplier qualification, and third-party lab reporting where the exact specimen count, immersion conditions, and calculated values matter. The template helps prevent the common failure mode of having test numbers without enough context to defend them later.
Do not use it as a general masonry inspection form or for unrelated concrete, block, or mortar testing. It is also not the right fit if your project only needs a visual brick review without laboratory measurements. If a sample is damaged before testing, the lot is incomplete, or the project calls for a different test method, document that as a non-conformance or route the sample to the correct procedure instead of forcing a result into this form.
Standards & compliance context
- This template aligns with ASTM C67 by preserving the specimen traceability, immersion steps, and calculated results needed for brick absorption testing.
- It supports quality records commonly expected under ISO 9001-style document control by keeping inputs, measurements, review, and sign-off in one audit-ready form.
- Where project documents reference masonry durability criteria, the recorded absorption values and saturation coefficient provide the evidence needed for acceptance review.
- If the brick is part of a regulated construction scope, the final disposition should be checked against the project specification and any applicable Authority Having Jurisdiction requirements.
- For owner or consultant submittals, retain the raw measurements and any corrective action notes so the test record can be traced back during review or dispute resolution.
General regulatory context for orientation only — verify current requirements with counsel or the relevant agency before relying on this template for compliance.
What's inside this template
Inspection Details and Sample Traceability
This section matters because the test is only useful if the brick can be traced back to the correct project, supplier, lot, and specimen set.
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Project, supplier, and brick designation recorded
Record the project name, supplier/manufacturer, brick type, and any specified ASTM designation or product name.
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Sample lot, batch, and specimen IDs recorded
Document the lot number, batch number, specimen identifiers, and quantity of bricks sampled.
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Test date and location recorded
Enter the date/time of the test and the laboratory or inspection location.
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Reference standard identified as ASTM C67
Confirm the test record is being completed against ASTM C67 for brick sampling and absorption testing.
Specimen Condition and Preparation
This section matters because damaged or poorly prepared specimens can invalidate the absorption results before the test even starts.
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Specimens were intact and free of visible damage before testing
Confirm sampled bricks were not cracked, broken, or otherwise compromised before conditioning.
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Specimens were cleaned of loose debris before weighing
Confirm surfaces were free of loose dust, mortar residue, or other debris that could affect mass measurements.
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Initial dry mass recorded for each specimen
Record the oven-dry or conditioned dry mass for each specimen prior to water exposure.
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Specimen count meets test plan
Record the number of specimens tested and confirm it matches the approved sampling plan or purchase specification.
24-Hour Cold Water Absorption Test
This section matters because the cold-water immersion result is one of the core measurements used to judge brick durability behavior.
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Cold water immersion duration was 24 hours
Confirm the specimens were immersed in cold water for the full 24-hour conditioning period.
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Water temperature and immersion conditions recorded
Document the water temperature, container setup, and any relevant immersion conditions used during the 24-hour cold soak.
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24-hour cold water absorption calculated for each specimen
Record the absorption percentage after 24-hour cold water immersion for each specimen.
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Average 24-hour cold water absorption recorded
Record the average 24-hour cold water absorption across all tested specimens.
5-Hour Boiling Absorption and Saturation Coefficient
This section matters because the boiling absorption and saturation coefficient help show how the brick responds under more severe moisture exposure.
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Boiling immersion duration was 5 hours
Confirm the specimens were subjected to the 5-hour boiling absorption procedure.
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5-hour boiling absorption calculated for each specimen
Record the absorption percentage after the 5-hour boil for each specimen.
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Average 5-hour boiling absorption recorded
Record the average boiling absorption across all tested specimens.
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Saturation coefficient calculated and recorded
Record the saturation coefficient, typically calculated from the ratio of boiling absorption to cold water absorption for the tested specimens.
Results, Durability Classification, and Sign-Off
This section matters because it turns the raw measurements into an acceptance decision, non-conformance record, and accountable sign-off.
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Results reviewed against project or specification limits
Confirm the measured absorption and saturation coefficient values were compared to the applicable specification or acceptance criteria.
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Durability classification determined
Select the durability classification or acceptance outcome based on the test results and project requirements.
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Non-conformances or corrective actions documented
Describe any deficiency, non-conformance, retest requirement, or corrective action associated with out-of-limit results.
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Inspector signature captured
Inspector or laboratory representative signs to confirm the record is complete and accurate.
How to use this template
- Enter the project name, supplier, brick designation, sample lot, batch, specimen IDs, test date, location, and ASTM C67 reference before any measurements begin.
- Confirm each specimen is intact, clean off loose debris, verify the specimen count matches the test plan, and record the initial dry mass for every piece.
- Run the 24-hour cold water immersion exactly as planned, record the water temperature and immersion conditions, and calculate the absorption for each specimen and the average.
- Perform the 5-hour boiling immersion, capture the boiling absorption for each specimen, and calculate the saturation coefficient from the recorded values.
- Compare the results to the project or specification limits, document any non-conformances or corrective actions, and capture the inspector signature or reviewer sign-off.
Best practices
- Label every specimen before the first weighing so the dry mass, cold-water result, and boiling result cannot be confused later.
- Record the actual immersion conditions, not just that the test was completed, because temperature or timing deviations can invalidate the comparison.
- Weigh specimens only after they are prepared the same way for each step, since inconsistent surface moisture can skew absorption values.
- Flag any chipped, cracked, or otherwise damaged specimen as a preparation issue before testing instead of treating it as a valid result.
- Use the same units and calculation method across all specimens so the average and saturation coefficient are directly comparable.
- Attach photos or lab notes when a specimen fails the acceptance limit so the non-conformance record explains the condition, not just the number.
- Have a second reviewer check the calculations when the test supports a submittal, dispute, or acceptance decision.
What this template typically catches
Issues teams running this template most often surface in practice:
Common use cases
Frequently asked questions
What does this brick test template cover?
This template captures the full ASTM C67 workflow for sampled brick, including specimen traceability, 24-hour cold water absorption, 5-hour boiling absorption, saturation coefficient, and final sign-off. It is designed to document the measurements that support durability review and acceptance decisions. The structure also leaves room for non-conformances and corrective actions when a specimen fails project limits.
When should I use this template instead of a general materials inspection form?
Use it when you need a formal record for brick durability testing, especially for submittals, incoming material verification, or acceptance testing against a specification. A general inspection form usually does not capture the required masses, immersion conditions, or calculated absorption values. This template is better when the result must stand up to a specification review or quality audit.
Who should complete the test and sign off on it?
A trained lab technician, quality inspector, or materials testing staff member should complete the measurements, and a responsible reviewer should sign off on the results. The person running the test should understand specimen handling, weighing, immersion timing, and calculation checks. If your project requires it, a QA manager, project engineer, or third-party lab reviewer can confirm the acceptance decision.
How often is this test performed?
It is usually performed per lot, batch, shipment, or submittal sample plan rather than on a daily schedule. The frequency should follow the project specification, procurement requirements, or quality control plan. If the supplier, clay body, firing process, or source changes, many teams repeat the test to confirm the new material still meets the same limits.
What standards or regulations does this align with?
The template is built around ASTM C67, which is the primary reference for brick sampling and testing methods. It can also support project quality systems that reference ISO 9001-style inspection records or owner specifications for masonry durability. If the brick is tied to a regulated construction or fire-resistance application, the acceptance decision may also need to align with the project documents and the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
What are the most common mistakes when using this template?
Common mistakes include mixing up specimen IDs, failing to record the initial dry mass, and not documenting the actual immersion conditions. Another frequent issue is calculating averages without checking whether every specimen met the same preparation and timing requirements. Teams also sometimes record the final result but omit the non-conformance note when a specimen exceeds the project limit.
Can I customize this template for different brick types or project specs?
Yes. You can add fields for brick type, manufacturer, color range, firing method, or project-specific acceptance thresholds. Many teams also add a place to note whether the sample is face brick, structural clay brick, or another designation so the report stays clear during review. Keep the ASTM C67 measurements intact if you want the record to remain comparable across lots.
How does this compare with ad hoc spreadsheet tracking?
A spreadsheet can hold the numbers, but it often misses traceability, reviewer sign-off, and a consistent walk-through of the test steps. This template keeps the specimen condition, test conditions, calculations, and disposition in one place, which reduces missing data and rework. It is easier to audit because the record follows the same sequence every time.
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