1.1 This practice covers the material characteristics, physical requirements, and sampling appropriate for the designation of the rotary kiln produced porous ceramic material as a mineral amendment. The porous ceramic material can be used to replace the sand content of a topsoil or it can be blended into an existing topsoil. Typically 5-20 % by mass of porous ceramics are used when blending with or adding to a topsoil.

1.2 The potential/success of a topsoil amendment is measured/determined by its ability to provide or enhance some or all of the desired properties/characteristics of the topsoil that may be deficient in the unamended topsoil.

1.3 Soils typically consist of three components: water, air and solids. Solids can be further divided into two sub-components: organic matter, such as peat, muck or other decayed matter, and inorganic mineral matter, such as clay, silt and sand. Porous ceramic falls into the inorganic mineral matter sub-component and is generally used in horticultural topsoil applications as a substitute/alternative or addition for the sand component of soil. See Specification D5268, Table 1.

1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information only and are not considered standard. Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.

1