ASTM C50/C50M-13 (2025) PDF

Full title and description

ASTM C50/C50M-13 — Standard Practice for Sampling, Sample Preparation, Packaging, and Marking of Lime and Limestone Products. Provides procedures for collecting, reducing and preparing representative samples of lime and limestone products for physical and chemical testing, plus recommendations for inspection, rejection, retesting, packing and marking for commercial and industrial use.

Abstract

This practice specifies methods to obtain representative laboratory samples from lots of lime and limestone products and to prepare, package and mark those samples for shipment and testing. It addresses sampling techniques for different product forms and sizes, reduction of gross samples to test portions, packaging to avoid contamination or loss, inspection and acceptance/rejection procedures, and the use of SI and inch–pound units in reporting. It is intended for use in commercial, agricultural, chemical and process-industry applications.

General information

• Status: Current — reapproved/reissued (designation C50/C50M-13) with latest reissue date recorded as December 1, 2025.
• Publication date: Originally issued 2013; revised and reissued in subsequent cycles (notably 2019) and recorded as C50/C50M-13(2025) on December 1, 2025.
• Publisher: ASTM International (formerly ASTM — American Society for Testing and Materials).
• ICS / categories: 91.100.15 – Mineral materials and products; Committee C07 — Lime and Limestone (Subcommittee C07.06 Physical Tests).
• Edition / version: Designation C50/C50M − 13; originally approved 2013, revised/reaffirmed in later cycles (2019 and reissued/reapproved 2025).
• Number of pages: 9 pages (standard length for this practice).

Scope

The practice covers procedures for collection and reduction of samples of lime and limestone products for use in physical and chemical testing. It further covers inspection, rejection, retesting, packing, and marking of these products as used in chemical, agricultural and process industries. Both SI and inch–pound units are recognized and presented separately; the practice does not supplant company-specific safety or regulatory requirements.

Key topics and requirements

• Methods for selecting representative sampling locations for bulk and packaged lime/limestone lots.
• Procedures for obtaining gross samples (hand, mechanical, and hopper sampling) depending on product form and delivery method.
• Sample reduction techniques (coning-and-quartering, riffle splitting, mechanical splitting) to produce test portions representative of the lot.
• Requirements for packaging, labeling and marking samples to preserve integrity and traceability during transport and storage.
• Inspection, acceptance/rejection criteria, and retesting procedures when nonconforming results are obtained.
• Guidance on reporting units (SI and inch–pound) and notation that the two unit systems are to be used independently.
• Notes on personnel training, sampling equipment maintenance, and safeguards to minimize contamination and bias.

Typical use and users

Used by producers, shippers and receivers of lime and limestone products, quality-control and materials-testing laboratories, procurement and inspection personnel in chemical and agricultural industries, regulatory bodies and consultants engaged in materials acceptance testing and dispute resolution involving lime and limestone shipments.

Related standards

Previous and related ASTM documents in the C07 series (earlier editions of C50/C50M such as C50/C50M‑12 and the 2019 reissue), and other ASTM standards and committee guidance addressing physical and chemical testing of mineral products and sampling practice. Users should consult the full C07 committee catalog for complementary test methods and practices.

Keywords

lime; limestone; sampling; sample preparation; sample reduction; packaging; marking; inspection; rejection; retesting; ASTM C50; C50/C50M; mineral materials; C07 committee; physical tests; SI units; inch–pound units.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM C50/C50M-13 is a practice that defines how to collect, prepare, package and mark representative samples of lime and limestone products for physical and chemical testing.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sampling procedures for different product forms, reduction of gross samples to test portions, sample packaging and marking, inspection and rejection/retesting procedures, and guidance on unit systems (SI and inch–pound).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Producers and suppliers of lime and limestone, receiving inspectors, quality-control and test laboratories, purchasers in agricultural and chemical industries, and consultants or regulators involved in materials acceptance.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The practice is listed under designation C50/C50M‑13. It was originally approved in 2013, revised in later cycles, and is recorded as reissued/reapproved with a publication/reissue entry dated December 1, 2025. Users should confirm the latest status before purchase or application.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of ASTM Committee C07 (Lime and Limestone) publications and relates to other C07 practices and test methods covering the physical and chemical characterization of lime and limestone products.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Lime, limestone, sampling, sample preparation, packaging, marking, inspection, ASTM C50, representative sample.