ASTM C156-98

Standard Test Method for Water Retention by Concrete Curing Materials

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers laboratory determination of the efficiency of liquid membrane-forming compounds and sheet materials for curing concrete, as measured by their ability to reduce moisture loss during the early hardening period.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information purposes only.
1.3 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Nov-1998
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: C09 - Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
• Drafting Committee: C09.22 - Materials Applied to New Concrete Surfaces

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM C156-02 - Standard Test Method for Water Retention by Concrete Curing Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Aug-2002

Standards Content (Sample)

Designation: C 156 – 98
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
1
Water Retention by Concrete Curing Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 156; 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 (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.
1. Scope for concrete. The laboratory test method is used both in
formulating and in specifying or qualifying curing products.
1.1 This test method covers laboratory determination of the
This test method gives the user a measure of the ability of
efficiency of liquid membrane-forming compounds and sheet
tested curing materials to impede the escape of moisture from
materials for curing concrete, as measured by their ability to
a hydraulic cement mortar. Since it is desirable to retain
reduce moisture loss during the early hardening period.
moisture in fresh concrete to promote the hydration process,
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
failure of the product to minimize the escape of moisture may
standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
lead to loss of strength, cracking, shrinkage, or low abrasion
information purposes only.
resistance of the hardened concrete, or a combination thereof.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2 Many factors affect the laboratory test results. Test
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
results obtained may be highly variable as indicated by the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
precision statement. Critical factors include the precision of the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
control of the temperature, humidity and air circulation in the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
curing cabinet, preparation and sealing of the mortar speci-
2. Referenced Documents
mens, the age and surface condition of the mortar specimen
when the curing product is applied, and the uniformity and
2.1 ASTM Standards:
quantity of application of the curing membrane.
C 87 Test Method for Effect of Organic Impurities in Fine
2
Aggregate on Strength of Mortar
4. Apparatus
3
C 150 Specification for Portland Cement
4.1 Mechanical Mortar Mixer, similar to that described in
C 230 Specification for Flow Table for Use in Tests of
3
Practice C 305, but of sufficient size to mix enough mortar in
Hydraulic Cement
one batch to prepare at least three specimens. The paddle and
C 305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement
3
bowl shall be of stainless steel.
Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
3
4.2 Flow Table, as described in Specification C 230.
C 778 Specification for Standard Sand
4.3 Molds—Molds shall be made of metal, glass, hard
D 1475 Test Method for Density of Paint, Varnish, Lacquer,
4
rubber, or plastic, and shall be watertight, and rigidly con-
and Related Products
structed to prevent distortion. They shall be rectangular, and
D 1653 Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission of
4 approximately 150 by 300 mm (6 by 12 in.) at the top, 145 by
Organic Coating Films
1 3
4
295 mm (5 ⁄4 by 11 ⁄4 in.) at the bottom, and 50 mm (2 in.) deep
D 2369 Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings
5 measured on the inside. They shall have a flat rim at the top,
E 178 Practice for Dealing with Outlying Observations
1
and shall be approximately 6 mm ( ⁄4 in.) wide on all sides.
3. Significance and Use Thoroughly clean the molds before each use.
3.1 The moisture retaining ability of a product as deter-
NOTE 1—Take care to avoid use of an excessive amount of oil, grease,
mined by this test method is used to assess the suitability of
or mold release compound on molds, particularly along the top rim where
materials for contributing to an appropriate curing environment sealing compound will be applied. Use of masking tape on the top rim
during application of release compound to prevent contamination has been
found expedient.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C-9 on Concrete
4.4 Gloves, of rubber or plastic, to be worn while molding
and Concrete Aggregatesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.22on
the specimens.
Curing Materials.
Current edition approved Nov. 11, 1998. Published April 1999. Originally
4.5 Tamper, of a nonabsorptive, nonabrasive material such
published as C 156 – 40 T. Last previous edition C 156 – 95.
as medium-hard rubber or seasoned oak rendered non-
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
3
absorptive by immersion for 15 min in paraffin at approxi-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01.
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards
...