A new ASTM International standard will help manufacturers and suppliers of concrete and cement mixtures evaluate relative differences in early hydration of paste, mortar and other mixtures.
The new standard describes the apparatus and procedure for such evaluations. This will help with efforts such as screening materials and proportions without having to spend time and money on trial mixtures.
The standard covers many applications, including evaluation of setting properties and the relative effects of different materials on setting; checks on potential incompatibility of materials; screening of materials for optimum performance; development of optimum proportions; and selection of admixture dosage.
Cost notes that the test described in the new standard is expedient and requires small time and equipment commitments compared to other approaches.
In addition to suppliers and manufacturers, testing laboratories and researchers will be primary users of the standard.
Adapted from press release by Joseph Green