ASTM C1088-23

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: C1088 − 20 C1088 − 23
Standard Specification for
Thin Veneer Brick Units Made From Clay or Shale
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1088; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers thin veneer brick units made from clay, shale, fire clay, sand, or mixtures thereof, and fired to
incipient fusion for use in adhered or fastened veneer applications. Three types of thin veneer brick units in each of two grades
are covered. In this specification, the term thin veneer brick shall be understood to mean a clay masonry unit with a maximum
3 5
thickness of 1less ⁄4 in. (44.45than 2 ⁄8 mm). in. (66.7 mm).
NOTE 1—Thin brick with thicknesses greater than 1 ⁄4 in. (44.5 mm) may exceed the prescriptive unit weight limits for adhered masonry veneer. In such
cases, rational design is necessary. Alternatively, use of a system or construction method designed to accommodate thin brick units exceeding 1 ⁄4 in.
(44.5 mm) in thickness may be an option.
1.2 The property requirements of this specification apply at the time of purchase. The use of results from testing of brick extracted
from masonry structures for determining conformance or nonconformance to the property requirements (Section 7) of this
specification is beyond the scope of this specification.
1.3 The brick are prismatic units available in a variety of sizes, textures, colors, and shapes. This specification is not intended to
provide specifications for paving brick (see Specification C902).
1.4 Brick covered by this specification are manufactured from clay, shale, or similar naturally occurring substances and subjected
to a heat treatment at elevated temperatures (firing). The heat treatment must develop sufficient fired bond between the particulate
constituents to provide the strength and durability requirements of the specification. (See “firing” and “fired bond” in Terminology
C1232.)
1.5 Thin brick are shaped during manufacture by molding, pressing, or extrusion. The shaping method is a way to describe the
thin brick. Thin brick may also be cut from thicker masonry units.
1.5.1 This standard and its individual requirements shall not be used to qualify or corroborate the performance of a masonry unit
made from other materials, or made with other forming methods, or other means of binding the materials.
1.6 The text of this specification references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
1.7 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on Manufactured Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C15.02 on Brick
and Structural Clay Tile.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2020March 1, 2023. Published March 2020March 2023. Originally approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 20192020 as
C1088 – 19a.C1088 – 20. DOI: 10.1520/C1088-20.10.1520/C1088-23.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C1088 − 23
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C67/C67M Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick and Structural Clay Tile
C902 Specification for Pedestrian and Light Traffic Paving Brick
C1232 Terminology for Masonry
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions relating to thin veneer brick, refer to Terminology C1232.
4. Classification
4.1 Grades—Grades classify brick according to their resistance to damage by freezing and thawing when saturated at a moisture
content not exceeding the 24-h cold water absorption. Two grades of thin veneer brick units are covered and the requirements are
given in Section 7.
4.1.1 Grade Exterior—Brick intended for use where high resistance to damage caused by cyclic freezing and thawing is desired.
4.1.2 Grade Interior—Brick intended for use where moderate resistance to cyclic freezing and thawing damage is permissible.
4.2 Three types of thin veneer brick units are covered as follows:
4.2.1 Type TBS (Standard)—Thin veneer brick for general use in masonry.
4.2.2 Type TBX (Select)—Thin veneer brick for general use in masonry where a higher degree of precision and lower permissible
variation in size than permitted for Type TBS is required.
4.2.3 Type TBA (Architectural)—Thin veneer brick for general use in masonry selected to produce characteristic architectural
effects resulting from nonuniformity in size and texture of the individual units.
4.3 When the type is not specified, the requirements for Type TBS will govern.
5. Ordering Information
5.1 Orders for thin brick under this specification shall include the following information:
5.1.1 Grade (4.1)—Grade Exterior governs when grade is not specified.
5.1.2 Type (4.2)—Type TBS governs when type is not specified.
5.1.2.1 For Type TBA, specify chippage (10.1), tolerances (Section 9), or approve a designated sample.
5.1.3 Color, color range, and texture (10.4) by approving a sample.
5.1.3.1 Finish on more than one face (9.5). (10.5).
5.1.4 Size (9.1)—Specify width (thickness) by height by length.
5.1.5 Sampling (12.2)—Person to select samples and place or places of selection of samples for testing.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
C1088 − 23
5.2 Orders for facing brick under this specification may include the following information:
5.2.1 Back Surface Texture Face Requirements (Section 11).
5.2.2 Costs of Tests (Note 910)—Party who will pay and conditions for payment of compliance testing.
NOTE 2—Color, color range, and texture are best specified by identifying a particular manufacturer and unit designation. Nominal dimensions should not
be used to specify size.
NOTE 3—See Section 7 for optional information.
5.3 If any post-firing coatings or surface treatments are applied by the manufacturer, the manufacturer shall report the type and
extent of these coatings or surface treatments in all certificates of compliance with this specification. Coatings or surface treatments
applied to the finished surface of the brick by the manufacturer prior to installation for temporary protection of the brick surface
shall not be considered a post fired coating for the purpose of this specification. Evidence proving the removal of the temporary
coating or surface treatment has no effect on performance or appearance of the brick shall be furnished at the request of the specifier
or purchaser.
6. Materials and Manufacture
6.1 Units shall not show surface defects and deficiencies, nor effects of surface treatments including coating in the manufacturing
process, that interfere with installation of the brick or significantly impair the performance of the construction.
6.2 Colors and textures produced by application of inorganic coatings to the faces of the thin veneer brick are permitted if
approved by the purchaser, provided that evidence is furnished of the durability of the coatings. Thin brick that are colored by
flashing or textured by sanding, where the sand does not form a continuous coating, shall not be considered as surface colored brick
for the purpose of this specification.
6.2.1 Sampling and testing of such inorganic coating, including double-fired glazes, shall be in accordance with applicable
sections of Test Methods C67/C67M.
7. Physical Properties
7.1 Durability—When the grade is not specified, the requirements for Grade Exterior shall govern.
7.1.1 Physical Property Requirements—The brick shall conform to the physical property requirements as prescribed in Table 1.
7.1.2 Absorption Alternative—The saturation coefficient requirement does not apply, provided the 24-h cold water absorption of
each of the five units tested does not exceed 8.0 %.
7.1.3 Freezing and Thawing Alternative—The requirements specified in Table 1 do not apply, provided a sample of five brick
passes the freezing and thawing test as described in the Rating Section of the Freezing and Thawing test procedures of Test
Methods C67/C67M.
7.1.3.1 Grade Exterior: Breakage and Weight Loss Requirement—No individual unit separates or disintegrates resulting in a
weight loss greater than 0.5 % of its original dry weight.
TABLE 1 Physical Requirements
Maximum Water Maximum
Absorption by 5-h Saturation
A
Designation Boiling, % Coefficient
Average Average
Individual Individual
of 5 units of 5 units
Grade Exterior 17.0 20.0 0.78 0.80
Grade Interior 22.0 25.0 0.88 0.90
A
The saturation coefficient is the ratio of absorption by 24-h submersion in cold
water to that after 5-h submersion in boiling water.
C1088 − 23
7.1.3.2 Grade Exterior: Cracking Requirement—No individual unit develops a crack that exceeds, in length, the unit’s least face
dimension.
7.1.4 Low Weathering Index Alternative—If the thin brick are intended for use exposed to weather where the weathering index
is less than 50 (see Fig. 1), and unless otherwise specified, the requirements given in Table 1 for Grade Interior shall apply.
NOTE 4—A minimum compressive strength requirement is not included in combination with other physical property requirements as an indicator of
freeze/thaw durability. The geometry of the thin brick units may preclude proper testing and can affect the failure mode attained. Thus, compressive
strength test results may not be a true indicator of unit freeze-thaw performance or fired bond.
NOTE 5—The effect of weathering on thin brick is related to the we
...