ASTM C1943-24 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM C1943-24 — Standard Test Method for Grout Retention Properties of Ceramic Tile. This ASTM test method defines a qualitative, repeatable procedure to evaluate how grout adheres to or is retained on glazed and unglazed ceramic tile surfaces after an installation and cleaning process; it is intended for use by tile installers, manufacturers, and forensic investigators assessing system compatibility and appearance outcomes.

Abstract

ASTM C1943-24 specifies a visual, comparative test for grout retention on ceramic tile. The method covers specimen preparation, application of grout, controlled cleaning, and visual evaluation to identify abnormal or excessive grout retention (hazing, staining or residue) on tile surfaces. The procedure is intended as a tool to compare tile/grout/installation combinations and to identify systems or techniques that produce undesirable grout retention characteristics.

General information

• Status: Active (current edition published/confirmed 2024).
• Publication date: February 9, 2024 (designation C1943-24).
• Publisher: ASTM International (Committee C21, Subcommittee C21.06 responsible for ceramic tile standards).
• ICS / categories: 91.100.23 (Ceramic tiles / Construction materials and building).
• Edition / version: ASTM C1943-24 (2024 edition).
• Number of pages: 5 pages (short test-method format).

Scope

The standard covers a qualitative procedure to evaluate grout retention on both glazed and unglazed ceramic tile surfaces. It provides a uniform method to prepare tile samples, apply representative grout and installation materials, perform specified cleaning operations, and visually assess residual grout retention. The method is comparative and is intended to evaluate the specific tile/grout/installation combination under the prescribed test conditions; results are not necessarily generalizable to other materials or installation variations outside the tested system.

Key topics and requirements

• Test purpose: detect and compare grout retention (hazing/residue/staining) on tile surfaces.
• Specimen preparation: representative glazed and unglazed tile specimens must be prepared and conditioned according to the method.
• Grout application and curing: controlled application of the grout and a defined cure period to simulate field conditions.
• Cleaning protocol: specified cleaning sequence and materials to simulate standard installation cleanup and reveal retained grout.
• Visual assessment and acceptance: qualitative scoring/description of residual grout; acceptability criteria are comparative and user-defined.
• Limitations: qualitative method — not intended to produce quantitative adhesion or mechanical-strength data; results apply to the tested combination only.
• Intended uses: product evaluation, installer troubleshooting, forensic assessment of finished installations.

Typical use and users

Primary users are tile and grout manufacturers (for product development and QC), tile installers and contractors (to validate installation materials and cleaning procedures), specifiers and architects (to assess appearance risk), and forensic investigators analyzing installations with grout retention or staining issues.

Related standards

Standards commonly referenced alongside C1943 include ISO 13007 (grouts and adhesives for ceramic tiles), the ISO 10545 series (ceramic tile test methods), and other ASTM tile standards such as ASTM C1378 (Determination of Resistance to Staining) and ASTM C627 (Robinson-type floor tester for installation-system evaluation). These related methods address complementary properties (stain resistance, installation performance, adhesive/grout specifications) used together to assess tile system performance and appearance.

Keywords

grout retention, grout haze, grout staining, ceramic tile, glazed tile, unglazed tile, installation cleaning, visual test method, tile appearance, ASTM C1943-24

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM C1943-24 is a standardized, qualitative test method for evaluating grout retention properties on ceramic tile surfaces (both glazed and unglazed); it provides a repeatable procedure for applying grout, cleaning, and visually assessing residual grout on the tile surface.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation, grout application, defined cleaning procedures, and a visual assessment protocol to detect abnormal or excessive grout retention (hazing or staining). The method is comparative and intended for the specific materials and procedures tested, not for generalizing across different tile/grout combinations.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Tile manufacturers and grout suppliers (product evaluation and R&D), installers and contractors (to confirm installation and cleanup practices), architects/specifiers (to evaluate appearance risk), and forensic analysts examining grout-related installation problems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: It is current (active) as published in 2024 under the designation ASTM C1943-24; ASTM’s record shows the 2024 edition as the active version.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: C1943 is part of the ASTM C21 committee portfolio for ceramic tile (committee C21, subcommittee C21.06 on ceramic tile). It is used alongside other ceramic tile test methods and specifications (for example, ASTM C1378 and ASTM C627) and is complementary to ISO tile standards such as ISO 13007 and the ISO 10545 series.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Grout retention, grout haze, grout staining, ceramic tile, glazed tile, unglazed tile, visual test method, installation cleanup, ASTM C1943-24.