AASHTO T 104-99 (2020)

This method covers the procedure to be followed in testing aggregates to determine their resistance to disintegration by saturated solutions of sodium sulfate or magnesium sulfate. This is accomplished by repeated immersion in saturated solutions of sodium or magnesium sulfate followed by oven drying to partially or completely dehydrate the salt precipitated in permeable pore spaces. The internal expansive force, derived from the rehydration of the salt upon re-immersion, simulates the expansion of water on freezing. This test method furnishes information helpful in judging the soundness of aggregates subject to weathering action, particularly when adequate information is not available from service records of the material exposed to actual weathering conditions. Attention is called to the fact that test results by the use of the two salts differ considerably and care must be exercised in fixing proper limits in any specifications that may include requirements for these tests.