ASTM C204-17

Standard Test Methods for Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by Air-Permeability Apparatus

ABSTRACT
This test method covers determination of the fineness of hydraulic cement, using the Blaine air-permeability apparatus, in terms of the specific surface expressed as total surface area in square centimetres per gram, or square metres per kilogram, of cement. Two test methods are given: test method A is the reference test method using the manually operated standard Blaine apparatus, while test method B permits the use of automated apparatus that has in accordance with the qualification requirements of this test method demonstrated acceptable performance. The Blaine air-permeability apparatus consists essentially of a means of drawing a definite quantity of air through a prepared bed of cement of definite porosity. The permeability cell shall consist of a rigid cylinder, constructed of austenitic stainless steel. The disk shall be constructed of noncorroding metal, and shall fit the inside of the cell snugly. The plunger shall be constructed of austenitic stainless steel and shall fit into the cell. The filter paper disks shall be circular, with smooth edges, and shall have the same diameter as the inside of the cell. The U-tube manometer shall be constructed according to the design indicated. The manometer shall be filled to the midpoint line with a nonvolatile, nonhygroscopic liquid of low viscosity and density. The timer shall have a positive starting and stopping mechanism. The calibration of the air permeability apparatus shall be made using the standard reference material. The automated test method shall employ apparatus designed either on the principles of the Blaine air-permeability method or apparatus based on the air-permeability principles of the Lea and Nurse method. When the specific surface values determined by an automated apparatus are to be used for acceptance or rejection of cement, the method used shall comply with the qualification requirements. When standardization is required in order to achieve agreement between test method A and test method B, the apparatus shall be standardized according to the requirements prescribed.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers determination of the fineness of hydraulic cement, using the Blaine air-permeability apparatus, in terms of the specific surface expressed as total surface area in square centimetres per gram, or square metres per kilogram, of cement. Two test methods are given: Test Method A is the Reference Test Method using the manually operated standard Blaine apparatus, while Test Method B permits the use of automated apparatus that has in accordance with the qualification requirements of this test method demonstrated acceptable performance. Although the test method may be, and has been, used for the determination of the measures of fineness of various other materials, it should be understood that, in general, relative rather than absolute fineness values are obtained.  
1.1.1 This test method is known to work well for portland cements. However, the user should exercise judgement in determining its suitability with regard to fineness measurements of cements with densities, or porosities that differ from those assigned to Standard Reference Material No. 114.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.3 Warning—Mercury has been designated by many regulatory agencies as a hazardous substance that can cause serious medical issues. Mercury, or its vapor, has been demonstrated to be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury containing products. See the applicable product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for additional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury and/or mercury containing products into your state or country may be prohibited by law.  
1.4 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, health,...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2017
• ICS: 91.100.10 - Cement. Gypsum. Lime. Mortar
• Technical Committee: C01 - Cement
• Drafting Committee: C01.25 - Fineness

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: C204 − 17 American Association State
Highway and Transportation Officials Standard
AASHTO No.: T 153
Standard Test Methods for
Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by Air-Permeability
1
Apparatus
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C204; 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* priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This test method covers determination of the fineness of
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
hydraulic cement, using the Blaine air-permeability apparatus,
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
in terms of the specific surface expressed as total surface area
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
in square centimetres per gram, or square metres per kilogram,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
of cement. Two test methods are given: Test Method A is the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Reference Test Method using the manually operated standard
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Blaine apparatus, while Test Method B permits the use of
automated apparatus that has in accordance with the qualifica-
2. Referenced Documents
tion requirements of this test method demonstrated acceptable
2
performance. Although the test method may be, and has been, 2.1 ASTM Standards:
used for the determination of the measures of fineness of A582/A582M Specification for Free-Machining Stainless
various other materials, it should be understood that, in Steel Bars
general, relative rather than absolute fineness values are C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
obtained. gregates
1.1.1 This test method is known to work well for portland C219 Terminology Relating to Hydraulic Cement
cements. However, the user should exercise judgement in C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
determining its suitability with regard to fineness measure- for Test Methods for Construction Materials
ments of cements with densities, or porosities that differ from E832 Specification for Laboratory Filter Papers
those assigned to Standard Reference Material No. 114.
2.2 Other Document:
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
No. 114 National Institute of Standards and Technology
3
standard. Standard Reference Material
BS 4359: 1971 British Standard Method for the Determina-
1.3 Warning—Mercury has been designated by many regu-
tion of Specific Surface of Powders: Part 2: Air Perme-
latory agencies as a hazardous substance that can cause
4
ability Methods
serious medical issues. Mercury, or its vapor, has been
demonstrated to be hazardous to health and corrosive to
TEST METHOD A: REFERENCE METHOD
materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury
and mercury containing products. See the applicable product
3. Terminology
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for additional information. Users
3.1 Definitions:
should be aware that selling mercury and/or mercury contain-
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer
ing products into your state or country may be prohibited by
to Terminology C125 and C219.
law.
1.4 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 appro- 2
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
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C01 on Cement the ASTM website.
3
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C01.25 on Fineness. Available from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2017. Published December 2017. Originally Bureau Dr., Stop 1070, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1070, http://www.nist.gov.
4
approved in 1946. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as C204 – 16. DOI: Available from British Standards Institute (BSI), 389 Chiswick High Rd.,
10.1520/C0204-17. London W4 4AL, U.K., http://www.bsi-global.com.
*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 ----------------------
C204 − 17
1
4. Apparatus between the contacting surfaces. A ledge ⁄2 to 1 mm in width
shall be an integral part of the
...

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: C204 − 16 C204 − 17 American Association State
Highway and Transportation Officials Standard
AASHTO No.: T 153
Standard Test Methods for
Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by Air-Permeability
1
Apparatus
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C204; 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 test method covers determination of the fineness of hydraulic cement, using the Blaine air-permeability apparatus, in
terms of the specific surface expressed as total surface area in square centimetres per gram, or square metres per kilogram, of
cement. Two test methods are given: Test Method A is the Reference Test Method using the manually operated standard Blaine
apparatus, while Test Method B permits the use of automated apparatus that has in accordance with the qualification requirements
of this test method demonstrated acceptable performance. Although the test method may be, and has been, used for the
determination of the measures of fineness of various other materials, it should be understood that, in general, relative rather than
absolute fineness values are obtained.
1.1.1 This test method is known to work well for portland cements. However, the user should exercise judgement in determining
its suitability with regard to fineness measurements of cements with densities, or porosities that differ from those assigned to
Standard Reference Material No. 114.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.3 Warning—Mercury has been designated by many regulatory agencies as a hazardous substance that can cause serious
medical issues. Mercury, or its vapor, has been demonstrated to be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should
be taken when handling mercury and mercury containing products. See the applicable product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for
additional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury and/or mercury containing products into your state or country
may be prohibited by law.
1.4 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A582/A582M Specification for Free-Machining Stainless Steel Bars
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
C219 Terminology Relating to Hydraulic Cement
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
E832 Specification for Laboratory Filter Papers
2.2 Other Document:
3
No. 114 National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Material
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C01 on Cement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C01.25 on Fineness.
Current edition approved March 1, 2016Dec. 1, 2017. Published March 2016December 2017. Originally approved in 1946. Last previous edition approved in 20112016
ε1
as C204 – 1116. . DOI: 10.1520/C0204-16.10.1520/C0204-17.
2
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.
3
Available from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100 Bureau Dr., Stop 1070, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1070, http://www.nist.gov.
*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 ----------------------
C204 − 17
BS 4359: 1971 British Standard Method for the Determination of Specific Surface of Powders: Part 2: Air Permeability
4
Methods
TEST METHOD A: REFERENCE METHOD
3. Terminology
3.1 Defini
...