ASTM C151/C151M-15

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Designation: C151/C151M − 09 C151/C151M − 15
Standard Test Method for
Autoclave Expansion of Hydraulic Cement
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C151/C151M; 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 covers determination of the autoclave expansion of hydraulic cement by means of a test on a neat cement
specimen.
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 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. For specific precaution statements, see the section on Safety Precautions.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C187 Test Method for Amount of Water Required for Normal Consistency of Hydraulic Cement Paste
C305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
C490 Practice for Use of Apparatus for the Determination of Length Change of Hardened Cement Paste, Mortar, and Concrete
C511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets, Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the Testing of Hydraulic
Cements and Concretes
C856 Practice for Petrographic Examination of Hardened Concrete
C1005 Specification for Reference Masses and Devices for Determining Mass and Volume for Use in the Physical Testing of
Hydraulic Cements
C1157 Performance Specification for Hydraulic Cement
3. Significance and Use
3.1 The autoclave expansion test provides an index of potential delayed expansion caused by the hydration of CaO,CaO or
MgO, or both, when present in hydraulic cement.
4. Interferences
4.1 Pozzolans containing fine-grained quartz have been reported to cause excessive expansion under autoclave test conditions
due to alkali-silica reaction that will not occur under normal service conditions. When excessive expansion of paste containing
pozzolans occurs, it is recommended that the specimens be examined (See(see Practice C856) for evidence of alkali-silica reaction
(Note 1).
NOTE 1—If the excessive expansion has resulted from alkali-silica reaction under autoclave conditions, the pozzolan can be evaluated for alkali
reactivity using the procedure described in Performance Specification C1157.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Weighing Devices and Weights, for determining the mass of materials conforming to the requirements of Specification
C1005.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C01 on Cement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C01.31 on Volume Change.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2009Jan. 1, 2015. Published January 2009January 2015. Originally approved in 1940. Last previous edition approved in 20052009 as
C151 – 05.C151/C151M – 09. DOI: 10.1520/C0151_C0151M-09.10.1520/C0151_C0151M-15.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Gonnerman, H. F., Lerch, W. and Whiteside, T. M. , M., “Investigations of the Hydration Expansion Characteristics of Portland Cements,” Portland Cement Association
Research Department Bulletin 45 45,, pp. 1-168,–168, 1953.
Wang, H., “Autoclave Soundness Test Mischaracterizes Cement-Fly Ash Blends by Introducing Alkali-Quartz Reaction,” Cement, Concrete, and Aggregates, Vol.Vol 24,
No. 2, pp. 68-72,–72, 2002.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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C151/C151M − 15
5.2 Glass Graduates, 200 or 250-mL capacity, and conforming to the requirements of Practice C490.
5.3 Molds, conforming to the requirements of Practice C490 for test specimens used in the determination of length change of
cement paste.
5.4 Flat Trowel, conforming to the requirements of Test Method C187.
5.5 Autoclave, consisting of a high-pressure steam vessel provided with a thermometer well. The autoclave shall be equipped
with automatic controls and either a rupture disk with a bursting pressure of 2.4 MPa [350 psi] 6 5 %. In locations where the use
of a rupture disk is not permitted, the autoclave shall be equipped with a safety valve. 5 % or a safety valve that actuates at this
pressure. In addition, the autoclave shall be equipped with a vent valve to allow the escape of air during the early part of the heating
period and to release any steam pressure remaining at the end of the cooling period. The pressure gagegauge shall have a nominal
capacity of 4.0 MPa [600 psi], [600 psi], a dial with a nominal diameter of 115 mm [4 ⁄2 in.] and shall be graduated from 0 to 4.0
MPa [0 to 600 psi] 600 psi] with scale divisions not exceeding 0.03 MPa [5 psi]. The error in the gagegauge shall not exceed
6 0.02 MPa [6 3 6 0.02 MPa [6 3 psi] at the operating pressure of 2 MPa [295 psi]. The capacity of the heating unit shall be
such that with maximum load (water plus specimens) the pressure of the saturated steam in the autoclave may be raised to a
gagegauge pressure of 2 MPa [295 psi] in 45 to 75 min from the time the heat is turned on. The automatic control shall be capable
of maintaining the gagegauge pressure at 2 6 0.07 MPa 0.07 MPa [295 6 10 psi] for at least 3 h. A gagegauge pressure of 2 6
0.07 MPa 0.07 MPa [295 6 10 psi] corresponds to a temperature of 216 6 2 °C 2°C [420 6 3 °F]. 3°F]. The autoclave shall be
designed to permit the gagegauge pressure to drop from 2 MPa to less than 0.07 MPa [295 psi [295 psi to less than 10 psi] in 1 ⁄2
h after the heat supply has been shut off.
5.5.1 Rupture Disk—The rupture disk shall be made of a material having a tensile strength that is relatively insensitive to
temperature in the range 20 to 216 °C 216°C [68 to 420 °F] 420°F] and that is electrochemically compatible with the pipe leading
to it and to its holder.
5.6 Length Comparator—The comparator used for measuring length change of specimens shall conform to the requirements of
Practice C490.
6. Temperature and Humidity
6.1 Molding Room—Maintain the temperature of the molding room, dry materials and mixing water, and the relative humidity
of the molding room within the limits of Practice C490.
6.2 Moist Storage Facilities—Maintain the temperature and humidity of the moist storage facilities to the requirements of
Specification C511.
7. Safety Precautions
7.1 The pressure gagegauge shall have a capacity of 4.0 MPa [600 psi]. [600 psi]. A gagegauge with too small or too large a
capacity may be a hazard, since for pressure above the specified maximum working pressure, with a smaller capacity gage,gauge,
the pressure may be off scale, and with a larger capacity gage,gauge, the arc of movement may be too small to invite attention.
The operator shall be sure the gagegauge hand has not passed the maximum graduation on the scale.
7.2 Test the pressure gagegauge for proper operation. Always use a thermometer together with the pressure gage,gauge, so as
to provide a means of detecting any failure of the pressure gagegauge to operate properly, and to indicate any unusual condition.
7.3 Maintain the automatic control in proper working order at all times.
7.4 Set the safety valve to relieve the pressure at about 6 to 10 % above the maximum of 2.1 MPa [305 psi] specified in this
test method, that is, at about 2.3 MPa [330 psi]. [330 psi]. Unless the manufacturer has given specific instructions as to maintenance
of the safety valve, test the valve twice each year. Test with a gagegauge testing device, or by a
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