ASTM C191-18

Standard Test Methods for Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement by Vicat Needle

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method provides a means of determining compliance with a specification limit for Vicat time of setting. Refer to the appropriate specification for the cement to determine if this test method is used for specification compliance.  
5.2 Time of setting measured by this method will not necessarily provide the same results as the time of setting of hydraulic cement paste measured by other methods, or the time of setting of mortar or concrete.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods determine the time of setting of hydraulic cement by means of the Vicat needle. Two test methods are given; Method A is the Reference Test Method using the manually operated standard Vicat apparatus, while Method B permits the use of an automatic Vicat machine that has, in accordance with the qualification requirements of this method, demonstrated acceptable performance.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Warning: Fresh hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause chemical burns to skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.2  
1.4 The text of this standard 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.
Note 1: For the method for determining the time of setting by Gillmore needles, see Test Method C266.  
1.5 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Jun-2018
• ICS: 91.100.10 - Cement. Gypsum. Lime. Mortar
• Technical Committee: C01 - Cement
• Drafting Committee: C01.30 - Time of Set

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: C191 − 18 American Association State
Highway and Transportation Officials Standard
AASHTO No.: T131
Standard Test Methods for
1
Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement by Vicat Needle
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C191; 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* 2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 These test methods determine the time of setting of
C150/C150M Specification for Portland Cement
hydraulic cement by means of the Vicat needle. Two test
C151/C151M Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Hy-
methods are given; Method A is the Reference Test Method
draulic Cement
using the manually operated standard Vicat apparatus, while
C183/C183M Practice for Sampling and the Amount of
Method B permits the use of an automatic Vicat machine that
Testing of Hydraulic Cement
has, in accordance with the qualification requirements of this
C187 Test Method for Amount of Water Required for Nor-
method, demonstrated acceptable performance.
mal Consistency of Hydraulic Cement Paste
C219 Terminology Relating to Hydraulic Cement
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
C266 Test Method for Time of Setting of Hydraulic-Cement
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
Paste by Gillmore Needles
standard.
C305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
C511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. C595/C595M Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
C1005 Specification for Reference Masses and Devices for
Warning: Fresh hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caus-
Determining Mass and Volume for Use in the Physical
tic and may cause chemical burns to skin and tissue upon
2
Testing of Hydraulic Cements
prolonged exposure.
C1157/C1157M Performance Specification for Hydraulic
1.4 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
Cement
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
3. Terminology
as requirements of the standard.
NOTE 1—For the method for determining the time of setting by
3.1 Definitions—The terms used in this test method are
Gillmore needles, see Test Method C266.
defined in accordance with Terminology C219.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
4. Summary of Test Method
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 4.1 A paste that is proportioned and mixed to normal
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- consistency, as described in the Test Method C187, is molded
and placed in a moist cabinet and allowed to start setting.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Periodic penetration tests are performed on this paste by
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
allowing a 1-mm Vicat needle to settle into this paste. The
Vicat initial time of setting is the time elapsed between the
initial contact of cement and water and the time when the
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C01 on
Cement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C01.30 on Time of Set.
Current edition approved June 15, 2018. Published June 2018. Originally
3
approved in 1944. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as C191 – 13. DOI: For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
10.1520/C0191-18. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
2
Section on Safety, Manual of Cement Testing, Annual Book of ASTM Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Standards, Vol 04.01. the ASTM website.
*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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C191 − 18
penetration is measured or calculated to be 25 mm. The Vicat 6.9 Specimen Mold for Method B—The cement paste is held
final time of setting is the time elapsed between initial contact inaconicalringwiththeheightof40 61mmandaremov
...

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: C191 − 13 C191 − 18 American Association State
Highway and Transportation Officials Standard
AASHTO No.: T131
Standard Test Methods for
1
Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement by Vicat Needle
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C191; 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 These test methods determine the time of setting of hydraulic cement by means of the Vicat needle. Two test methods are
given; Method A is the Reference Test Method using the manually operated standard Vicat apparatus, while Method B permits the
use of an automatic Vicat machine that has, in accordance with the qualification requirements of this method, demonstrated
acceptable performance.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
Warning: Fresh hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause chemical burns to skin and tissue upon prolonged
2
exposure.
1.4 The text of this standard 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.
NOTE 1—For the method for determining the time of setting by Gillmore needles, see Test Method C266.
1.5 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
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C150C150/C150M Specification for Portland Cement
C151C151/C151M Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Hydraulic Cement
C183C183/C183M Practice for Sampling and the Amount of Testing of Hydraulic Cement
C187 Test Method for Amount of Water Required for Normal Consistency of Hydraulic Cement Paste
C219 Terminology Relating to Hydraulic Cement
C266 Test Method for Time of Setting of Hydraulic-Cement Paste by Gillmore Needles
C305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
C511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets, Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the Testing of Hydraulic
Cements and Concretes
C595C595/C595M Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
C1005 Specification for Reference Masses and Devices for Determining Mass and Volume for Use in the Physical Testing of
Hydraulic Cements
C1157C1157/C1157M Performance Specification for Hydraulic Cement
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—The terms used in this test method are defined in accordance with Terminology C219.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C01 on Cement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C01.30 on Time of Set.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2013June 15, 2018. Published January 2014June 2018. Originally approved in 1944. Last previous edition approved in 20082013 as
C191 – 08.C191 – 13. DOI: 10.1520/C0191-13.10.1520/C0191-18.
2
Section on Safety, Manual of Cement Testing, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C191 − 18
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A paste that is proportioned and mixed to normal consistency, as described in the Test Method C187, is molded and placed
in a moist cabinet and allowed to start setting. Periodic penetration tests are performed on this paste by allowing a 1-mm Vicat
needle to settle into this paste. Th
...