ASTM C260/C260M-10a(2016)

Standard Specification for Air-Entraining Admixtures for Concrete

ABSTRACT
This specification covers materials proposed for use as air-entraining admixtures to be added to concrete mixtures in the field. The air-entraining admixture shall conform to the requirements such as initial and final time of setting, compressive strength, flexural strength, and length change (maximum shrinkage). Samples shall either be a grab sample (one obtained in a single operation) or a composite sample (one obtained by combining three or more grab samples). For the purpose of this specification, it is recognized that samples shall be taken for quality tests and uniformity tests.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers materials proposed for use as air-entraining admixtures to be added to concrete mixtures in the field.  
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.3 The text of this specification 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2016
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Drafting Committee: C09.23 - Chemical Admixtures

Relations

• Refers: ASTM C185-20 - Standard Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM C185-19 - Standard Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2019
• Refers: ASTM C185-15 - Standard Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Refers: ASTM C183-13 - Standard Practice for Sampling and the Amount of Testing of Hydraulic Cement
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2013
• Refers: ASTM C233-10 - Standard Test Method for Air-Entraining Admixtures for Concrete
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2010
• Refers: ASTM C185-08 - Standard Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2008
• Refers: ASTM C233-07 - Standard Test Method for Air-Entraining Admixtures for Concrete
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2007
• Refers: ASTM C233-04 - Standard Test Method for Air-Entraining Admixtures for Concrete
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2004
• Refers: ASTM C183-02 - Standard Practice for Sampling and the Amount of Testing of Hydraulic Cement
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2002
• Refers: ASTM C185-02 - Standard Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
• Effective Date: 10-Aug-2002
• Refers: ASTM C233-00 - Standard Test Method for Air-Entraining Admixtures for Concrete
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2001
• Refers: ASTM C233-01 - Standard Test Method for Air-Entraining Admixtures for Concrete
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2001
• Refers: ASTM C185-99 - Standard Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2001
• Refers: ASTM C185-01 - Standard Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2001
• Refers: ASTM C183-97 - Standard Practice for Sampling and the Amount of Testing of Hydraulic Cement
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997

Overview

ASTM C260/C260M-10a(2016), Standard Specification for Air-Entraining Admixtures for Concrete, defines the requirements for materials added to concrete mixtures in the field to entrain air. Air-entraining admixtures are crucial for increasing the durability and workability of concrete, particularly in freeze-thaw environments. This international standard, developed by ASTM, provides manufacturers, suppliers, and end users with guidelines to ensure admixtures meet stringent quality and performance criteria, supporting both safety and consistency in construction.

Key Topics

• Material Requirements: Air-entraining admixtures must meet specified requirements for setting time, compressive and flexural strength, length change (shrinkage), and durability under freeze-thaw cycles.
• Sampling Procedures: The standard details acceptable methods for sampling, including both grab and composite samples, to ensure the admixture's consistency and quality over different lots.
• Test Methods: Reference to standardized tests such as ASTM C233 for evaluating properties including air content, pH, residue, and specific gravity.
• Packaging and Marking: Specifies that packaging must clearly list the proprietary name and net quantity, aiding in traceability and compliance.
• Dual Units: Values are stated in both SI and inch-pound units, but each system must be used independently to maintain standard conformance.
• Uniformity and Quality Testing: Sets limits on allowable variations in admixture properties between different lots, ensuring product uniformity.

Applications

Air-entraining admixtures are primarily used in concrete construction where improved resistance to freeze-thaw cycles is necessary, such as in pavements, bridges, and exterior walls. Their inclusion creates microscopic air bubbles in the concrete, enhancing workability and increasing durability by reducing the risk of cracking due to freezing water expansion. This standard is vital for:

• Contractors seeking reliable admixture performance to meet durability specifications
• Ready-mix concrete suppliers needing to provide consistent, compliant products
• Quality control laboratories conducting acceptance and uniformity testing for admixtures
• Project owners and civil engineers requiring documented proof that construction materials meet industry benchmarks
• Regulatory bodies and inspectors verifying that supplied admixtures conform to internationally accepted practices

Compliance with ASTM C260/C260M enhances the integrity and longevity of concrete structures, especially in climates with severe weather fluctuations.

Related Standards

For comprehensive quality and testing, users should refer to the following related ASTM standards:

• ASTM C183 – Practice for Sampling and the Amount of Testing of Hydraulic Cement
• ASTM C185 – Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
• ASTM C233 – Test Method for Air-Entraining Admixtures for Concrete

These documents provide essential procedures for sampling and testing both the admixtures and the resulting concrete, ensuring that all materials meet established safety and performance requirements.

Keywords: air-entraining admixtures, concrete, ASTM C260, admixture standard, durability, freeze-thaw, compressive strength, quality control, sampling, construction materials, concrete additives, pH, residue, specific gravity

By adhering to ASTM C260/C260M-10a(2016), stakeholders in concrete construction can ensure that air-entraining admixtures deliver the intended performance, longevity, and safety outcomes crucial for successful project delivery.

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: C260/C260M −10a (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Specification for
Air-Entraining Admixtures for Concrete
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C260/C260M; 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* use in the work is essentially identical in concentration,
composition, and performance to the air-entraining admixture
1.1 This specification covers materials proposed for use as
tested under this specification.
air-entraining admixtures to be added to concrete mixtures in
the field.
NOTE 1—It is recommended that, whenever practicable, tests with the
air-entraining admixture be made using all of the ingredients of the
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
concrete proposed for the specific work, because the effect produced by
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
the air-entraining admixture may vary with the properties of the other
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
ingredients of the concrete.
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
4.2 Requirements for establishing compositional or chemi-
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
cal equivalence of a subsequent lot relative to a previous lot
with the standard.
thatwassubjectedtoqualitytestsandfoundtocomplywiththe
1.3 The text of this specification references notes and
requirements of 5.1 shall be determined if agreed upon by the
footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and
purchaser and the manufacturer. At the request of the
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be
purchaser, the manufacturer shall recommend appropriate test
considered as requirements of the standard.
procedures, such as infrared spectrophotometry (I.R.), pH
value and solids content, for establishing the equivalence of
2. Referenced Documents
materials from different lots or different portions of the same
2.1 ASTM Standards: lot.
C183 Practice for Sampling and the Amount of Testing of
NOTE 2—Ultraviolet light absorption (UV) of solutions and infrared
Hydraulic Cement
spectroscopy of dried residues have been found to be valuable for these
C185 Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement
purposes. The specific procedures to be employed and the criteria to
Mortar establish equivalence should be stipulated with due regard to the compo-
sition and properties of the sample.
C233 Test Method for Air-Entraining Admixtures for Con-
crete
4.3 At the request of the purchaser, the manufacturer shall
state in writing the chloride content of the air-entraining
3. Terminology
admixture and whether or not chloride was added during its
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
manufacture.
3.1.1 air-entraining admixture, n—for the purpose of this
NOTE3—Admixturesthatcontainchloridesmayacceleratecorrosionof
specification, a material that is used as an ingredient of
embedded metals.
concrete, added to the batch immediately before or during its
mixing, for the purpose of entraining air.
5. Optional Uniformity Requirements
4. General Requirements
5.1 A series of two or more samples from a manufacturing
lot will be considered sufficiently uniform to be properly
4.1 At the request of the purchaser, the manufacturer shall
composited into a single sample for quality testing provided
state in writing that the air-entraining admixture supplied for
they do not differ more than the amounts indicated in 5.4.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
5.2 A subsequent sample or composite sample shall be
Concrete and Concrete Aggregatesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
considered in compliance with these requirements, so long as
C09.23 on Chemical Admixtures.
they differ from the reference sample by no more than the
Current edition approved July 1, 2016. Published August 2016. Originally
amounts listed in 5.4. The reference sample is the original
approved in 1950. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as C260/C260M–10a.
DOI: 10.1520/C0260_C0260M-10AR16.
sample tested to meet the requirements of 6.1. Any additional
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
optional, appropriate tests, such as infrared spectroscopy and
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
ultraviolet light absorption, referred to in 4.2, also shall meet
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. pre-agreed requirements.
*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
C260/C260M − 10a (2016)
5.3 Determinations of uniformity shall be made in accor- test shall be not less than 80.The relative durability factor shall
dance with the procedures given in the sections “Check Tests be calculated as follows:
for Uniformity” and “Procedure for Residue by Oven Drying”
DF or DF 5 PN/300 (1)
~ !
of Test Method C233.
RDF 5 ~DF/DF ! 3100
5.4 Allowable differences in results of uniformity determi-
nations shall not exceed the following amounts:
where:
5.4.1 The manufacturer shall provide an acceptable range of
DF = durability factor of the concrete containing the
pHthatdoesnotexceed3.0pHunits.ThepHofsamplestested
admixture under test,
shall fall within this range.
DF = durability factor of the concrete containing the
5.4.2 The air content in percent of Test Method C185
reference admixture,
mortars prepared from successive lots shall not differ by more
P = relative dynamic modulus of elasticity in percent-
than 2.0 from that for the acceptance sample.
age of the dynamic modulus of elasticity at zero
5.4.3 The manufacturer shall provide acceptable limits of
cycles (values of P will be 60 or greater),
residue content not to exceed 612 % of the midpoint of the
N = number of cycles at which P reaches 60 %, or 300
limits. The residue content of samples tested shall fall within
if Pdoes not reach 60 % prior to the end of the test
these limits (Note 4).
(300 cycles), and
RDF = relative durability factor.
NOTE 4—As an example, an admixture may commonly be produced
with residue content ranging from 5.0 to 6.5 %. The manufacturer would
6.1.2 Length Change—After 14 days of drying, the length
provide acceptable limits of 5.06 to 6.44 %, representing 612 % of the
change of the concrete containing the test admixture shall not
midpoint of the limits which is 5.75 %.
be more than 120 % of that of the concrete containing the
reference admixture. When, after 14 days of drying, the length
6. Performance Requirements
change of the reference concrete is less than 0.030 %, the
6.1 The air-entraining admixture shall conform to the re-
length change of the concrete containing the test admixture
quirements in Table 1.
shallnotbemorethan0.006percentagepointsgreaterthanthat
6.1.1 Resistance to Freezing and Thawing—The relative
of the reference concrete.
durability factor of concrete containing the admixture under
7. Sampling
7.1 Opportunity shall be provided the purchaser for careful
A
TABLE 1 Physical Requirements
sampling and inspection, either at the point of manufacture or
Air-Entraining Admixtures at the site of the work, as specified by the purchaser.
Time of setting, allowable deviation from control,
7.2 Samples shall be either “grab” or “composite” samples,
h:min:
as specified or required by this specification. A grab sample is
Initial: not more than 1:15 earlier
nor 1:15 later
one obtained in a single operation. A composite sample is one
Final: not more than 1:15 earlier
obtained by combining
...