ASTM C494/C494M-08

Standard Specification for Chemical Admixtures for Concrete

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the materials and the test methods for use in chemical admixtures to be added to hydraulic-cement concrete mixtures in the field. The seven types of admixtures are indicated as follows: Type A—water reducing; Type B—retarding; Type C—accelerating; Type D—water reducing and retarding; Type E—water reducing and accelerating; Type F—water reducing, high range; and Type G—water reducing, high range, and retarding. The materials used in the concrete mixtures shall include Type I or Type II cement, pozzolan, fine and coarse aggregates, and air-entraining admixture. Samples of freshly mixed concrete from at least three separate batches for each condition of concrete shall be tested in accordance with the slump, air content, time of setting, and water content tests. Physical properties retesting shall consist of uniformity and equivalence tests using infrared analysis which is intended to compare qualitatively the composition of different samples, residue by oven drying which shall be either a forced circulation type or one with provision for free access of air, and specific gravity determination using hydrometers. Test specimens of the hardened concrete shall be prepared in accordance to compressive strength, flexural strength, resistance to freezing and thawing, and length change.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers materials for use as chemical admixtures to be added to hydraulic-cement concrete mixtures in the field for the purpose or purposes indicated for the seven types as follows:  
1.1.1 Type A—Water-reducing admixtures,
1.1.2 Type B—Retarding admixtures,
1.1.3 Type C—Accelerating admixtures,
1.1.4 Type D—Water-reducing and retarding admixtures,
1.1.5 Type E—Water-reducing and accelerating admixtures,
1.1.6 Type F—Water-reducing, high range admixtures, and
1.1.7 Type G—Water-reducing, high range, and retarding admixtures.
1.2 This specification stipulates tests of an admixture with suitable concreting materials as described in 11.1-11.3 or with cement, pozzolan, aggregates, and an air-entraining admixture proposed for specific work (11.4). Unless specified otherwise by the purchaser, the tests shall be made using concreting materials as described in 11.1-11.3.
Note 1—It is recommended that, whenever practicable, tests be made using the cement, pozzolan, aggregates, air-entraining admixture, and the mixture proportions, batching sequence, and other physical conditions proposed for the specific work (11.4) because the specific effects produced by chemical admixtures may vary with the properties and proportions of the other ingredients of the concrete. For instance, Types F and G admixtures may exhibit much higher water reduction in concrete mixtures having higher cement factors than that listed in 12.1.1.
Mixtures having a high range water reduction generally display a higher rate of slump loss. When high-range admixtures are used to impart increased workability (6 to 8-in. slump [150 to 200–mm]), the effect may be of limited duration, reverting to the original slump in 30 to 60 min depending on factors normally affecting rate of slump loss. The use of chemical admixtures to produce high-slump (flowing) concrete is covered by Specification C 1017.
Note 2—The purchaser should ensure that the admixture supplied for use in the work is equivalent in composition to the admixture subjected to test under this specification (see Section 6, Uniformity and Equivalence).  
Note 3—Admixtures that contain relatively large amounts of chloride may accelerate corrosion of prestressing steel. Compliance with the requirements of this specification does not constitute assurance of acceptability of the admixture for use in prestressed concrete.  
1.3 This specification provides for three levels of testing.
1.3.1 Level 1—During the initial approval stage, proof of compliance with the performance requirements defined in Table 1 demonstrates that the admixture meets the req...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2007
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Drafting Committee: C09.23 - Chemical Admixtures

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: C 494/C 494M – 05a
Standard Specification for
1
Chemical Admixtures for Concrete
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationC494/C494M;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyear
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
test under this specification (see Section 6, Uniformity and Equivalence).
1. Scope
NOTE 3—Admixtures that contain relatively large amounts of chloride
1.1 This specification covers materials for use as chemical
may accelerate corrosion of prestressing steel. Compliance with the
admixtures to be added to hydraulic-cement concrete mixtures
requirements of this specification does not constitute assurance of accept-
in the field for the purpose or purposes indicated for the seven
ability of the admixture for use in prestressed concrete.
types as follows:
1.3 This specification provides for three levels of testing.
1.1.1 Type A—Water-reducing admixtures,
1.3.1 Level 1—During the initial approval stage, proof of
1.1.2 Type B—Retarding admixtures,
compliance with the performance requirements defined in
1.1.3 Type C—Accelerating admixtures,
Table 1 demonstrates that the admixture meets the require-
1.1.4 Type D—Water-reducing and retarding admixtures,
mentsofthisspecification.Admixtures(exceptforTypesB,C,
1.1.5 Type E—Water-reducing and accelerating admixtures,
and E) shall qualify for provisional compliance when any of
1.1.6 Type F—Water-reducing, high range admixtures, and
the alternative compressive strength requirements in Table 1
1.1.7 Type G—Water-reducing, high range, and retarding
are met. If subsequent test results at 6 months or one year fail
admixtures.
to meet the standard requirement of 100% of reference
1.2 This specification stipulates tests of an admixture with
strength, the compliance of the admixture to this standard is
suitable concreting materials as described in 11.1-11.3 or with
withdrawn and all users of the admixture shall be notified
cement, pozzolan, aggregates, and an air-entraining admixture
immediately. Uniformity and equivalence tests of Section 6
proposed for specific work (11.4). Unless specified otherwise
shall be carried out to provide results against which later
by the purchaser, the tests shall be made using concreting
comparisons can be made (See Note 4).
materials as described in 11.1-11.3.
NOTE 4—Allowing for provisional compliance while retaining longer
NOTE 1—It is recommended that, whenever practicable, tests be made
termcompressivestrengthrequirementspromotesmorerapidqualification
using the cement, pozzolan, aggregates, air-entraining admixture, and the
of new materials, but also provides assurance that new admixture
mixture proportions, batching sequence, and other physical conditions
technologies will not exhibit unexpected longer term performance. The
proposedforthespecificwork(11.4)becausethespecificeffectsproduced
alternative compressive strength requirements in Table 1 are based on
by chemical admixtures may vary with the properties and proportions of
statistical analysis of 103 Specification C494/C494M evaluation tests.
the other ingredients of the concrete. For instance, Types F and G
The alternative requirements correspond to a 99% probability of passing
admixturesmayexhibitmuchhigherwaterreductioninconcretemixtures 2
subsequent test age requirements.
having higher cement factors than that listed in 12.1.1.
1.3.2 Level 2—Limited retesting is described in 5.2, 5.2.1
Mixtureshavingahighrangewaterreductiongenerallydisplayahigher
rate of slump loss. When high-range admixtures are used to impart and 5.2.2. Proof of compliance with the requirements of Table
increased workability (6 to 8-in. slump [150 to 200–mm]), the effect may
1demonstratescontinuedconformityoftheadmixturewiththe
be of limited duration, reverting to the original slump in 30 to 60 min
requirements of the specification.
depending on factors normally affecting rate of slump loss. The use of
1.3.3 Level 3—For acceptance of a lot or for measuring
chemical admixtures to produce high-slump (flowing) concrete is covered
uniformity within or between lots, when specified by the
by Specification C1017.
purchaser, the uniformity and equivalence tests of Section 6
NOTE 2—The purchaser should ensure that the admixture supplied for
shall be used.
use in the work is equivalent in composition to the admixture subjected to
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units shall
be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility
...

Designation: C 494/C 494M – 08
Standard Specification for
1
Chemical Admixtures for Concrete
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationC494/C494M;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyear
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
requirements of this specification does not constitute assurance of accept-
1. Scope*
ability of the admixture for use in prestressed concrete.
1.1 This specification covers materials for use as chemical
1.3 This specification provides for three levels of testing.
admixtures to be added to hydraulic-cement concrete mixtures
1.3.1 Level 1—During the initial approval stage, proof of
in the field for the purpose or purposes indicated for the seven
compliance with the performance requirements defined in
types as follows:
Table 1 demonstrates that the admixture meets the require-
1.1.1 Type A—Water-reducing admixtures,
mentsofthisspecification.Admixtures(exceptforTypesB,C,
1.1.2 Type B—Retarding admixtures,
and E) shall qualify for provisional compliance when the
1.1.3 Type C—Accelerating admixtures,
physical requirements and any of the alternative compressive
1.1.4 Type D—Water-reducing and retarding admixtures,
strength requirements in Table 1 are met. If subsequent test
1.1.5 Type E—Water-reducing and accelerating admixtures,
results at 6 months or one year fail to meet the standard
1.1.6 Type F—Water-reducing, high range admixtures, and
requirement of 100% of reference strength, the compliance of
1.1.7 Type G—Water-reducing, high range, and retarding
theadmixturetothisstandardiswithdrawnandallusersofthe
admixtures.
admixture shall be notified immediately. Uniformity and
1.2 This specification stipulates tests of an admixture with
equivalence tests of Section 6 shall be carried out to provide
suitable concreting materials as described in 11.1-11.3 or with
resultsagainstwhichlatercomparisonscanbemade(SeeNote
cement, pozzolan, aggregates, and an air-entraining admixture
4).
proposed for specific work (11.4). Unless specified otherwise
by the purchaser, the tests shall be made using concreting
NOTE 4—Allowing for provisional compliance while retaining longer
materials as described in 11.1-11.3.
termcompressivestrengthrequirementspromotesmorerapidqualification
of new materials, but also provides assurance that new admixture
NOTE 1—It is recommended that, whenever practicable, tests be made
technologies will not exhibit unexpected longer term performance. The
using the cement, pozzolan, aggregates, air-entraining admixture, and the
alternative compressive strength requirements in Table 1 are based on
mixture proportions, batching sequence, and other physical conditions
statistical analysis of 103 Specification C494/C494M evaluation tests.
proposedforthespecificwork(11.4)becausethespecificeffectsproduced
The alternative requirements correspond to a 99% probability of passing
by chemical admixtures may vary with the properties and proportions of
2
subsequent test age requirements.
the other ingredients of the concrete. For instance, Types F and G
admixturesmayexhibitmuchhigherwaterreductioninconcretemixtures 1.3.2 Level 2—Limited retesting is described in 5.2, 5.2.1
having higher cement factors than that listed in 12.1.1.
and 5.2.2. Proof of compliance with the requirements of Table
Mixtureshavingahighrangewaterreductiongenerallydisplayahigher
1demonstratescontinuedconformityoftheadmixturewiththe
rate of slump loss. When high-range admixtures are used to impart
requirements of the specification.
increased workability (6 to 8-in. slump [150 to 200–mm]), the effect may
1.3.3 Level 3—For acceptance of a lot or for measuring
be of limited duration, reverting to the original slump in 30 to 60 min
uniformity within or between lots, when specified by the
depending on factors normally affecting rate of slump loss. The use of
purchaser, the uniformity and equivalence tests of Section 6
chemical admixtures to produce high-slump (flowing) concrete is covered
by Specification C1017. shall be used.
NOTE 2—The purchaser should ensure that the admixture supplied for
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units shall
use in the work is equivalent in composition to the admixture subjected to
be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
test under this specification (see Section 6, Uniformity and Equivalence).
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system
NOTE 3—Admixtures that contain relatively large amounts of chloride
must be used independently of the other, without combining
may accelerate corrosion of prestressing steel. Compliance with the
values in any way.
1.5 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
which provide explanatory material.These notes and footnotes
1
This specifica
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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: C 494/C 494M – 08
Standard Specification for
1
Chemical Admixtures for Concrete
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationC494/C494M;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyear
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 Thisspecificationcoversmaterialsforuseaschemicaladmixturestobeaddedtohydraulic-cementconcretemixturesinthe
field for the purpose or purposes indicated for the seven types as follows:
1.1.1 Type A—Water-reducing admixtures,
1.1.2 Type B—Retarding admixtures,
1.1.3 Type C—Accelerating admixtures,
1.1.4 Type D—Water-reducing and retarding admixtures,
1.1.5 Type E—Water-reducing and accelerating admixtures,
1.1.6 Type F—Water-reducing, high range admixtures, and
1.1.7 Type G—Water-reducing, high range, and retarding admixtures.
1.2 This specification stipulates tests of an admixture with suitable concreting materials as described in 11.1-11.3 or with
cement,pozzolan,aggregates,andanair-entrainingadmixtureproposedforspecificwork(11.4).Unlessspecifiedotherwisebythe
purchaser, the tests shall be made using concreting materials as described in 11.1-11.3.
NOTE 1—It is recommended that, whenever practicable, tests be made using the cement, pozzolan, aggregates, air-entraining admixture, and the
mixture proportions, batching sequence, and other physical conditions proposed for the specific work (11.4) because the specific effects produced by
chemical admixtures may vary with the properties and proportions of the other ingredients of the concrete. For instance, Types F and G admixtures may
exhibit much higher water reduction in concrete mixtures having higher cement factors than that listed in 12.1.1.
Mixtures having a high range water reduction generally display a higher rate of slump loss. When high-range admixtures are used to impart increased
workability(6to8-in.slump[150to200–mm]),theeffectmaybeoflimitedduration,revertingtotheoriginalslumpin30to60mindependingonfactors
normally affecting rate of slump loss. The use of chemical admixtures to produce high-slump (flowing) concrete is covered by Specification C1017.
NOTE 2—The purchaser should ensure that the admixture supplied for use in the work is equivalent in composition to the admixture subjected to test
under this specification (see Section 6, Uniformity and Equivalence).
NOTE 3—Admixturesthatcontainrelativelylargeamountsofchloridemayacceleratecorrosionofprestressingsteel.Compliancewiththerequirements
of this specification does not constitute assurance of acceptability of the admixture for use in prestressed concrete.
1.3 This specification provides for three levels of testing.
1.3.1 Level 1—During the initial approval stage, proof of compliance with the performance requirements defined in Table 1
demonstrates that the admixture meets the requirements of this specification. Admixtures (except for Types B, C, and E) shall
qualify for provisional compliance when the physical requirements and any of the alternative compressive strength requirements
in Table 1 are met. If subsequent test results at 6 months or one year fail to meet the standard requirement of 100% of reference
strength,thecomplianceoftheadmixturetothisstandardiswithdrawnandallusersoftheadmixtureshallbenotifiedimmediately.
Uniformity and equivalence tests of Section 6 shall be carried out to provide results against which later comparisons can be made
(See Note 4).
NOTE 4—Allowing for provisional compliance while retaining longer term compressive strength requirements promotes more rapid qualification of
new materials, but also provides assurance that new admixture technologies will not exhibit unexpected longer term performance. The alternative
compressive strength requirements in Table 1 are based on statistical analysis of 103 Specification C494/C494M evaluation tests. The alternative
2
requirements correspond to a 99% probability of passing subsequent test age requirements.
1.3.2 Level 2—Limited retesting is described in 5.2, 5.2.1 and 5.2.2. Proof of compliance with the requirements of Table 1
demonstrates continued conformity of the admixture with the requirements of the specification.
1.3.3 Level 3—Foracceptanceofalotorformeasuringuniformitywithinorbetweenlots,whenspecifiedbythepurchaser,the
uniformity and equivalence tests of Section 6 shall be used.
1
Thi
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