ASTM C1356-07

Standard Test Method for Quantitative Determination of Phases in Portland Cement Clinker by Microscopical Point-Count Procedure

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method provides a relatively simple and reliable microscopical means of measuring the phase abundance of portland cement clinker (Note 1). Microscopical point counting provides a direct measure of the clinker phase composition in contrast to the calculated Bogue phase composition (Note 2).
Note 1—This test method utilizes a reflected light microscope. Related methods such as transmitted light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and automated imaging techniques may also be used for clinker analysis but are not presently included in this test method.
Note 2—This test method allows direct determination of the proportion of each individual phase in portland-cement clinker. This test method is intended to provide an alternative to the indirect estimation of phase proportion using the equations in Specification C 150 (footnote C in Table number 1 and footnote B in Table number 2).
This test method assumes the operator is qualified to operate a reflected light microscope and the required accessories, is able to correctly prepare polished sections and use necessary etchants, and is able to correctly identify the constituent phases.
This test method may be used as part of a quality control program in cement manufacturing as well as a troubleshooting tool. Microscopic characterization of clinker phases may also aid in correlating cement properties and cement performance in concrete, to the extent that properties and performance are a function of phase composition.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a systematic procedure for measuring the percentage volume of the phases in portland cement clinker by microscopy.
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.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2007
• ICS: 91.100.10 - Cement. Gypsum. Lime. Mortar
• Technical Committee: C01 - Cement
• Drafting Committee: C01.23 - Compositional Analysis

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C1356-96(2001) - Standard Test Method for Quantitative Determination of Phases in Portland Cement Clinker by Microscopical Point-Count Procedure
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2007
• Replaced By: ASTM C1356-07(2012) - Standard Test Method for Quantitative Determination of Phases in Portland Cement Clinker by Microscopical Point-Count Procedure
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2012
• Referred By: ASTM C1723-16(2022) - Standard Guide for Examination of Hardened Concrete Using Scanning Electron Microscopy
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2007

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: C1356 − 07
StandardTest Method for
Quantitative Determination of Phases in Portland Cement
1
Clinker by Microscopical Point-Count Procedure
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1356; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year 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.
1. Scope* 3.1.2 voids, n—isolated or interconnected open areas in the
clinker, also called pores.
1.1 This test method covers a systematic procedure for
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measuring the percentage volume of the phases in portland 3.2 Principal Clinker Phases:
cement clinker by microscopy.
3.2.1 alite, n—crystallinetricalciumsilicate(C S),modified
3
incompositionandcrystalstructurebyincorporationofforeign
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ions; the crystals are pseudo-hexagonal with well-defined
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
faces, though less regular shapes commonly occur.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.2.2 aluminate, n—tricalcium aluminate (C A) modified in
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bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
composition and crystal structure by incorporation of a sub-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
stantial proportion of foreign ions; aluminate forms cubic
standard.
crystals when relatively pure, and forms identifiable elongated
crystals commonly called “alkali aluminate” when in solid
2. Referenced Documents
solution with significant amounts of potassium or sodium, or
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both.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C150Specification for Portland Cement
3.2.3 belite, n—crystalline dicalcium silicate (C S), modi-
2
C219Terminology Relating to Hydraulic Cement
fied in composition and crystal structure by incorporation of
C670Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
foreign ions; belite usually occurs as rounded crystals marked
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
by striations formed by cross sections of lamellae, and may
D75Practice for Sampling Aggregates
occur as single crystals or in clusters.
D3665Practice for Random Sampling of Construction Ma-
3.2.4 ferrite, n—a solid solution of approximate composi-
terials
tion tetracalcium aluminoferrite (C AF) modified in composi-
4
tion by variation in theAl/Fe ratio and by substantial incorpo-
3. Terminology
ration of foreign ions; ferrite is characterized by high
3.1 Definitions:
reflectivity in polished sections and is normally the only
3.1.1 clinker phase, n—a physically and chemically distinct
strongly colored compound among the principal clinker
optically identifiable portion of the clinker sample, including
phases.
both principal phases (alite, belite, aluminate, and ferrite),
3.2.4.1 Discussion—Aluminate and ferrite form most of the
minor phases (for example, free lime, periclase, and alkali
interstitial material between the silicate crystals and, under
sulfates), and voids.
certain conditions of cooling, may not be easily identifiable or
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Voids, though not a phase in the sense
resolved by ordinary light microscopy.
of being a crystalline compound, are a distinct, identifiable
3.3 Minor Clinker Phases:
portion of a clinker microstructure.
3.3.1 alkali sulfates, n—sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate,
and double sulfates such as calcium langbeinite
(K SO –2CaSO ).
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2 4 4
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC01onCement
andisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeC01.23onCompositionalAnalysis.
3.3.2 free lime, n—calciumoxide(C)foundmostlyasround
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2007.PublishedJuly2007.Originallyapproved
crystals.
in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as C1356–96(2001). DOI:
10.1520/C1356-07.
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
3
¯
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on C=CaO,S=SiO,A=Al O,F=Fe O,S=SO ,M=MgO,N=Na O,and
2 2 3 2 3 3 2
the ASTM website. K=K O in cement chemistry notation.
2
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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C1356 − 07
which typically form the ground mass in which the silicates occur.
3.3.3 periclase, n—crystalline form of free magnesium ox-
Reflected light objective lenses with magnification up to 100× designed
ide (M), that has not been taken up in solid solution with other
for use in oil-immersion are required.
phases.
6.4 Assorted eyepiece
...