ASTM C1218/C1218M-20

Standard Test Method for Water-Soluble Chloride in Mortar and Concrete

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Water-soluble chloride, if present in sufficient amount, is capable of initiating or accelerating the corrosion of some metallic materials embedded in or contacting cementitious mixtures such as mortar and concrete. Chloride content, along with other factors, can be indicators for the possibility of corrosion of embedded metallic materials. This test method is used to determine the water-soluble chloride content in cementitious mixtures, either in new construction or existing structures.
Note 1: Water-soluble chloride content can vary with time. For example, water-soluble chloride content could increase due to additional chloride ingress. Alternatively, water-soluble chloride content could decrease due to chloride-binding or leaching.  
4.1.1 Test conditions are capable of affecting water-soluble chloride determinations. Take caution when comparing results from this test method with those from other test methods.  
4.2 Sulfides are known to interfere with the determination of chloride content. Blast-furnace slag aggregates and cements contain sulfide sulfur in concentrations that are capable of such interference and produce erroneously high test results. Treatment with hydrogen peroxide, as discussed in Test Methods C114, is used to eliminate such interference.  
4.3 There are aggregates that contain chloride that is not available for corrosion. Such chloride will be detected by use of this test method.3
SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides procedures for the sampling and analysis of hydraulic-cement mortar or concrete for chloride that is water soluble under the conditions of test.  
1.2 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory information. These notes and footnotes shall not be considered as requirements of this standard.  
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as a standard. Within the text, the inch-pound units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other.  
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.  
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: 31-May-2020
• ICS: 91.100.10 - Cement. Gypsum. Lime. Mortar
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Drafting Committee: C09.69 - Miscellaneous Tests

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: C1218/C1218M − 20
Standard Test Method for
1
Water-Soluble Chloride in Mortar and Concrete
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1218/C1218M; 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* C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
gregates
1.1 This test method provides procedures for the sampling
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
and analysis of hydraulic-cement mortar or concrete for
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
chloride that is water soluble under the conditions of test.
C823/C823M Practice for Examination and Sampling of
1.2 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
Hardened Concrete in Constructions
that provide explanatory information. These notes and foot-
C1084 Test Method for Portland-Cement Content of Hard-
notes shall not be considered as requirements of this standard.
ened Hydraulic-Cement Concrete
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
are to be regarded separately as a standard. Within the text, the
inch-pound units are shown in brackets. The values stated in Sieves
E832 Specification for Laboratory Filter Papers
each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system
shall be used independently of the other.
3. Terminology
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Definitions:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
to Terminology C125.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 4. Significance and Use
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.1 Water-solublechloride,ifpresentinsufficientamount,is
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
capable of initiating or accelerating the corrosion of some
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
metallic materials embedded in or contacting cementitious
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mixtures such as mortar and concrete. Chloride content, along
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
with other factors, can be indicators for the possibility of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
corrosion of embedded metallic materials. This test method is
used to determine the water-soluble chloride content in cemen-
2. Referenced Documents
titious mixtures, either in new construction or existing struc-
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tures.
C42/C42M Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled
NOTE 1—Water-soluble chloride content can vary with time. For
Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete
example, water-soluble chloride content could increase due to additional
C114 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic
chloride ingress. Alternatively, water-soluble chloride content could de-
Cement
crease due to chloride-binding or leaching.
4.1.1 Test conditions are capable of affecting water-soluble
1 chloride determinations. Take caution when comparing results
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
from this test method with those from other test methods.
Concrete and Concrete Aggregatesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.69 on Miscellaneous Tests.
4.2 Sulfidesareknowntointerferewiththedeterminationof
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2020.PublishedJuly2020.Originallyapproved
chloride content. Blast-furnace slag aggregates and cements
in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as C1218/C1218M – 17. DOI:
10.1520/C1218_C1218M-20.
contain sulfide sulfur in concentrations that are capable of such
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
interference and produce erroneously high test results. Treat-
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
ment with hydrogen peroxide, as discussed in Test Methods
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. C114, is used to eliminate such interference.
*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 ---
...

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: C1218/C1218M − 17 C1218/C1218M − 20
Standard Test Method for
1
Water-Soluble Chloride in Mortar and Concrete
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1218/C1218M; 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 provides procedures for the sampling and analysis of hydraulic-cement mortar or concrete for chloride that
is water soluble under the conditions of test.
1.2 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory information. These notes and footnotes
shall not be considered as requirements of this standard.
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as a standard. Within the text, the
inch-pound units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall
be used independently of the other.
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:
C42/C42M Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete
C114 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
C823C823/C823M Practice for Examination and Sampling of Hardened Concrete in Constructions
C1084 Test Method for Portland-Cement Content of Hardened Hydraulic-Cement Concrete
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
E832 Specification for Laboratory Filter Papers
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology C125.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Water-soluble chloride, if present in sufficient amount, is capable of initiating or accelerating the corrosion of some metallic
materials embedded in or contacting cementitious mixtures such as mortar and concrete. Chloride content, along with other factors,
can be indicators for the possibility of corrosion of embedded metallic materials. This test method is used to determine the
water-soluble chloride content in cementitious mixtures, either in new construction or existing structures.
NOTE 1—Water-soluble chloride content can vary with time. For example, water-soluble chloride content could increase due to additional chloride
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregatesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.69 on
Miscellaneous Tests.
Current edition approved May 1, 2017June 1, 2020. Published July 2017July 2020. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 20152017 as
C1218/C1218M – 15.C1218/C1218M – 17. DOI: 10.1520/C1218_C1218M-17. 10.1520/C1218_C1218M-20.
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’sstandard’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 ----------------------
C1218/C1218M − 20
ingress. Alternatively, water-soluble chloride content could decrease due to chloride-binding or leaching.
4.1.1 Test conditions are capable of affecting water-soluble chloride determinations. Take caution when comparing results from
this test method with those from other test methods.
4.2 Sulfides are known to interfere with the determination of chloride content
...