ASTM D4753-95 - 1.1.1995
 
1. Scope

1.1 This specification provides minimum requirements for general-purpose scales, balances, and standard masses used in testing soil, rock, and related construction materials.

1.2 This specification provides guidance for evaluating, selecting, and specifying general purpose scales, balances, and standard masses used in testing soil, rock, and related construction materials.

1.3 The accuracy requirements for balances and scales are specified in terms of the combined effect of all sources of error contributing to overall balance performance. The measurement of specific sources of error and consideration of details pertaining to balance construction have been intentionally avoided.

1.4 This specification does not include requirements for balances and scales that have accuracies greater than those generally required in normal soil, rock, and related construction materials.

1.5 This specification does not apply to nongraduated balances.

1.6 This specification does not address the methods used to verify or quantify specific parameters dealing with balances and scales. For a description of tests used in evaluating balance performance, see NIST Handbook 44.

1.7 This specification is not intended to be used as a specification for the purchase of balances and scales.

Note 1-The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), formerly the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) publish standards or practices that specify construction requirements as well as performance specifications for balances. ASTM, OIML, and NIST publish construction standards and tolerances for standard masses. Note 2-The terms "mass" and "determine the mass of" are used in this standard instead of the more commonly used terms "weight" and "weigh" to comply with standard metric practice. In addition, the term "standard mass(es)" is used instead of "weight(s)" when referring to a piece of material of known specified mass used to compare or measure the mass of other masses.
 
2. Referenced Documents

International Recommendations OIML R 111–1

Edition 2004 (E) Weights of classes E1, E2, F1, F2, M1, M1-2, M2, M2-3, and M3Part 1: Metrological and technical requirements

E617-23

Standard Specification for Laboratory Weights and Precision Mass Standards

International Recommendations OIML R 76–1 and R 76–2

Non-automatic weighing instrumentsPart 1: Metrological and technical requirements--Test Non-automatic weighing instruments Edition 2006 (E)Part 2: Test report format Edition 2007 (E)

International Recommendations OIML R 111–2

Edition 2004 (E) Weights of classes E1, E2, F1, F2, M1, M1-2, M2, M2-3, and M3Part 2: Test Report Format

NIST Handbook 44

Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices Available from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100 Bureau Dr., Stop 1070, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1070, http://www.nist.gov.

D653-26a

Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids (Includes all amendments and changes 6/15/2026).