ASTM Committee C07 on Lime: A Reflection

For the last 100 years ASTM Committee C07 (Lime) has provided guidance to the lime industry and its customers related to the methods of testing and specifications for limestone and lime products and their applications. A broad range of lime user, producer, and general interest input was provided and refined through a consensus process to create and maintain these standards. The first of the C-series of standards was C1-1902 Standard for Cement, Lime and Clay Products. As each industry matured, separate committees were developed with the C7 Committee on Lime formed in 1912. ASTM C5-1913 (Quicklime for Structural Purposes) is one of the oldest standards in the C-series of standards still active. An active area for work in the beginning years of the committee was the improvement of lime products for mortar, plaster, and stucco applications. This was the largest market for lime products in 1912, but the lime putty used for construction had several drawbacks when compared to substitute products and systems. Significant research into understanding and addressing these drawbacks was needed. This work resulted in the development of new standards for Finish Lime (C206) and Masons Lime (C207) that defined a Type-S hydrated lime, which had excellent workability and soundness properties. The number of applications for lime products has grown significantly over the last 100 years. Although, initially, construction was the largest lime market, the use of these products in metallurgical, environmental, and chemical/industrial applications is far larger today. As new applications have developed, C07 has responded with methods of tests to characterize products and standards for performance. There is value in the standards development process for both users and producers. Users obtain information related to lime products and producers obtain information related to the application. Standard test methods can be developed to predict product performance. Key parameters can be placed in a standard to provide manufacturing targets and insure product performance. In the future continued research and development of the applications for lime is needed. Insuring that the committee is balanced will maintain the quality of the committee work. Continued work toward harmonization with standards outside of ASTM is needed. Finally, C07 must look beyond traditional products to include by-product materials, like lime kiln dust (LKD), in standards where they are applicable.