cen:proj:36714

Natural stone test methods - Determination of sensitivity to freeze-thaw in the presence of de-icing salt

Scope

This European Standard specifies a method of assessing the frost resistance of a natural stone when it is subjected to the cyclic action of freezing and thawing in the presence of 1 % solution of NaCl in de-ionized or distilled water.
If the stone product is placed in such an environment, and no prior documented information about it’s performance is available, this test method assists in the decision about its suitability.
The results of this test provide a means for assessing a stone’s resistance to this form of weathering in areas where frequent freeze-thaw cycling occurs with e.g. seawater sprays or abundant de-icers conditions. More guidance as when to use this standard is given in Annex B.
The standard contains provision for a shorter technological test to assess the effect of freeze/thaw cycles. The potential change in performance is evaluated as a change in flexural strength.

NOTE. some marble types, see EN 12670 for terminology, undergo changes in physical properties as a result of the test conditions (e.g. drying at 70 ºC) rather than the freeze/thaw cycles. In these cases, additional tests (for example EN 14066) may be applied.