ASTM C266-21

Standard Test Method for Time of Setting of Hydraulic-Cement Paste by Gillmore Needles

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The purpose of this test method is to establish whether a cement complies with a specification limit on Gillmore time of setting.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the time of setting of hydraulic-cement paste by means of the Gillmore needles.  
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 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.  
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, and environmental 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  
1.5 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: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2021
• ICS: 91.100.10 - Cement. Gypsum. Lime. Mortar
• Technical Committee: C01 - Cement
• Drafting Committee: C01.30 - Time of Set

Relations

• Refers: ASTM C219-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Hydraulic and Other Inorganic Cements
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM C670-24a - Standard Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM C670-24 - Standard Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM C151/C151M-23 - Standard Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Hydraulic Cement
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM C219-20a - Standard Terminology Relating to Hydraulic and Other Inorganic Cements
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2020
• Refers: ASTM C305-20 - Standard Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2020
• Refers: ASTM C219-20 - Standard Terminology Relating to Hydraulic and Other Inorganic Cements
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM C219-19a - Standard Terminology Relating to Hydraulic and Other Inorganic Cements
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2019
• Refers: ASTM C219-19 - Standard Terminology Relating to Hydraulic Cement
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2019
• Refers: ASTM C1005-18 - Standard Specification for Reference Masses and Devices for Determining Mass and Volume for Use in the Physical Testing of Hydraulic Cements
• Effective Date: 01-May-2018
• Refers: ASTM C151/C151M-18 - Standard Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Hydraulic Cement
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2018
• Refers: ASTM C1005-17 - Standard Specification for Reference Masses and Devices for Determining Mass and Volume for Use in the Physical Testing of Hydraulic Cements
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2017
• Refers: ASTM C151/C151M-16 - Standard Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Hydraulic Cement
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2016
• Refers: ASTM C151/C151M-15 - Standard Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Hydraulic Cement
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2015
• Refers: ASTM C219-14 - Standard Terminology Relating to Hydraulic Cement
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2014

Overview

ASTM C266-21: Standard Test Method for Time of Setting of Hydraulic-Cement Paste by Gillmore Needles sets out procedures for determining the initial and final setting times of hydraulic-cement paste using the Gillmore needles method. This international standard, developed by ASTM International Committee C01, is essential for assessing whether a cement product meets specification limits regarding its setting times, which are crucial for quality assurance and performance in construction materials.

Hydraulic cements, such as Portland cement, rely on controlled setting times to ensure proper handling and structural integrity in construction applications. By following ASTM C266-21, laboratories and quality control professionals can obtain reliable, repeatable setting time measurements in compliance with industry best practices.

Key Topics

• Setting Time Determination:
  ASTM C266-21 outlines how to measure both the initial and final time of setting for hydraulic-cement paste using Gillmore needles.
• Gillmore Needles Description:
  The standard specifies the requirements for the Gillmore initial and final needles, including tip diameter and mass, to ensure accurate results.
• Test Methodology:
  A cement paste of normal consistency is prepared, molded into a pat, and tested at regulated intervals using the Gillmore needles. The initial set is when the initial needle no longer leaves a complete circular impression, and the final set is when the final needle no longer does so.
• Precision and Reporting:
  The standard provides detailed guidance on reporting results and includes data regarding the expected precision of within-laboratory and between-laboratory results.
• Safety Considerations:
  Users are warned that fresh hydraulic-cement mixtures are caustic and may cause chemical burns. The responsibility for safety and regulatory compliance lies with the user.

Applications

ASTM C266-21 is widely used in several key areas:

• Quality Control in Cement Manufacturing:
  Manufacturers use this test to verify that their hydraulic cement products meet required setting time specifications, critical for quality assurance.
• Construction Materials Testing:
  Independent laboratories and construction firms apply this method to ensure cements perform as required for specific projects.
• Research and Development:
  R&D teams utilize the method to evaluate new formulations or additives in cements that may impact setting characteristics.
• Compliance Testing:
  ASTM C266-21 is often referenced in project specifications or regulatory documents, making compliance mandatory in many jurisdictions.

This standard ensures consistency, reliability, and comparability of results across the industry, which is vital for safety, scheduling, and performance in construction projects.

Related Standards

ASTM C266-21 frequently interfaces with a range of companion standards for hydraulic cement testing and terminology:

• ASTM C150/C150M - Standard Specification for Portland Cement
• ASTM C187 - Test Method for Amount of Water Required for Normal Consistency of Hydraulic Cement Paste
• ASTM C305 - Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
• ASTM C511 - Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets, Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes
• ASTM C151/C151M - Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Hydraulic Cement
• ASTM C183/C183M - Practice for Sampling and the Amount of Testing of Hydraulic Cement
• ASTM C219 - Terminology Relating to Hydraulic and Other Inorganic Cements

By using ASTM C266-21 in conjunction with these related standards, professionals can ensure comprehensive evaluation and quality control throughout all stages of cement production and application.

Keywords: Gillmore needles, hydraulic cement paste, time of setting, ASTM C266, cement testing, setting time determination, construction materials, quality control, cement standards.

Standards Content (Sample)

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.
Designation: C266 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Time of Setting of Hydraulic-Cement Paste by Gillmore
Needles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C266; 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* C151/C151M Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Hy-
draulic Cement
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the time of
C183/C183M Practice for Sampling and the Amount of
setting of hydraulic-cement paste by means of the Gillmore
Testing of Hydraulic Cement
needles.
C187 Test Method for Amount of Water Required for Nor-
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
mal Consistency of Hydraulic Cement Paste
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
C219 Terminology Relating to Hydraulic and Other Inor-
standard.
ganic Cements
1.3 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes C305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement
Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered C511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets,
Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the
as requirements of the standard.
Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
C1005 Specification for Reference Masses and Devices for
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
DeterminingMassandVolumeforUseinPhysicalTesting
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
of Hydraulic Cements
(Warning—Fresh hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic
and may cause chemical burns to skin and tissue upon
3. Terminology
prolonged exposure.)
3.1 Definitions:
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
to Terminology C219.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4. Summary of Test Method
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.1 Sufficient water is added to the cement that is being
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
tested to produce a paste of normal consistency.Aspecimen is
molded from this paste and is tested for time of setting by
2. Referenced Documents
means of the Gillmore initial and final needles.The initial time
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of setting is the time elapsed between initial contact of cement
and water and the time when the Gillmore Initial needle does
not leave a complete circular impression in the paste surface.
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C01 on Cement The final time of setting is the time elapsed between initial
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C01.30 on Time of Set.
contact of cement and water and the time when the Gillmore
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2021. Published November 2021. Originally
Final needle does not leave a complete circular impression in
approved in 1951. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as C266 – 20. DOI:
the paste surface.
10.1520/C0266-21.
Section on Safety, Manual of Cement Testing, Annual Book of ASTM
5. Significance and Use
Standards, Vol 04.01.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.1 The purpose of this test method is to establish whether
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
a cement complies with a specification limit on Gillmore time
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
of setting.
*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
C266 − 21
6. Apparatus 10. Procedure
6.1 Flat Trowel, having a sharpened straight-edged steel
10.1 PreparationofCementPaste—Obtainthecementpaste
blade 100 to 150 mm in length. The edges when placed on a
used for determination of the time of setting from one of the
plane surface shall not depart from straightness by more than
following methods:
1 mm.
10.1.1 Prepare a new batch of paste by mixing 650 g of
6.2 Mixer, Bowl, Paddle, and Scraper, conforming to the cement with the percentage of mixing water required for
requirements of Practice C305.
normal consistency (Test Method C187), following the proce-
dure described in Practice C305.
6.3 Glass Graduates, 200 or 250 mL capacity, conforming
10.1.2 At the option of the tester, use the paste remaining
to the requirements of Specification C1005.
fromthebatchusedfortheautoclaveexpansionspecimen(Test
6.4 Mass Determining Devices, conforming to the require-
Method C151/C151M) or from the normal consistency deter-
ments of Specification C1005. The devices for determining
mination (Test Method C187).
mass shall be evaluated for continuing precise performance
utilizing the procedure in Specification C1005, Appendix X1,
10.2 Molding Test Specimen—From the cement paste pre-
using a verification check mass of approximately 1000 g.
pared as described in 10.1, make a pat with a flat top and the
sides tapering to a thin edge on a plane non-absorptive plate,
6.5 Plane Non-absorptive Plates, 100 6 5 mm square, of
conforming to the dimensions and tolerances in Fig. 1(a). In
similar planeness, corrosivity, and absorptivity to that of glass
molding the pat, flatten the cement paste first on the plate and
(see Test Method C187 Fig. 1, item H).
then form the pat by drawing the trowel from the outer edge
6.6 Gillmore Needles, conforming to the following require-
toward the center, then flattening the top. After making, place
ments:
the pat in the moist cabinet or moist room and allow it to
6.6
...

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: C266 − 20 C266 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Time of Setting of Hydraulic-Cement Paste by Gillmore
Needles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C266; 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 the determination of the time of setting of hydraulic-cement paste by means of the Gillmore needles.
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 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.
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, and environmental 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.)
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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C151/C151M Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Hydraulic Cement
C183/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 and Other Inorganic Cements
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
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
C1005 Specification for Reference Masses and Devices for Determining Mass and Volume for Use in Physical Testing of
Hydraulic Cements
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
This test method is 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 Oct. 1, 2020Oct. 1, 2021. Published November 2020November 2021. Originally approved in 1951. Last previous edition approved in 20182020
as C266 – 18.C266 – 20. DOI: 10.1520/C0266-20.10.1520/C0266-21.
Section on Safety, Manual of Cement Testing, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01.
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
C266 − 21
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology C219.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Sufficient water is added to the cement that is being tested to produce a paste of normal consistency. A specimen is molded
from this paste and is tested for time of setting by means of the Gillmore initial and final needles. The initial time of setting is the
time elapsed between initial contact of cement and water and the time when the Gillmore Initial needle does not leave a complete
circular impression in the paste surface. The final time of setting is the time elapsed between initial contact of cement and water
and the time when the Gillmore Final needle does not leave a complete circular impression in the paste surface.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The purpose of this test method is to establish whether a cement complies with a specification limit on Gillmore time of setting.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Flat Trowel, having a sharpened straight-edged steel blade 100 to 150 mm in length. The edges when placed on a plane surface
shall not depart from straightness by more than 1 mm.
6.2 Mixer, Bowl, Paddle, and Scraper, conforming to the requirements of Practice C305.
6.3 Glass Graduates, 200 or 250 mL capacity, conforming to the requirements of Specification C1005.
6.4 Mass Determining Devices, conforming to the requirements of Specification C1005. The devices for determining mass shall
be evaluated for continuing precise performance utilizing the procedure in Specification C1005, Appendix X1, using a verification
check mass of approximately 1000 g.
6.5 Plane Non-absorptive Plates, 100 6 5 mm square, of similar planeness, corrosivity, and absorptivity to that of glass (see Test
Method C187 Fig. 1, item H).
6.6 Gillmore Needles, conforming to the following requirements:
6.6.1 The initial time of setting needle shall have a mass of 113.4 6 0.5 g and a tip diameter of 2.12 6 0.05 mm.
6.6.2 The final time of setting needle shall have a mass of 453.6 6 0.5 g and a tip diameter of 1.06 6 0.05 mm.
6.6.3 The needle tips shall be cylindrical for a distance of 4.8 6 0.5 mm. The needle ends shall be plane and at right angles to
the axis of the rod and shall be maintained in a clean condition (see Note 1).
6.7 Inspect and document Section 6 apparatus for conformance to the requirements of this test method at least every 2 ⁄2 years
(see Note 2).
NOTE 1—The Gillmore needles should preferably be mounted as shown in Fig. 1(b).
NOTE 2—Specification C1005 requires annual compliance checks for the reference masses and for the devices for determining mass.
7. Reagents
7.1 Mixing Water—Potable water is satisfactory for routine tests. For Use reagent water for all referee and cooperative tests,
reagent water conforming to the requirements of Specification tests.D1193 for Type III or Type IV grade of reagent water shall
be used.
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