EN 480-12:2005
(Main)Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout - Test methods - Part 12: Determination of the alkali content of admixtures
Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout - Test methods - Part 12: Determination of the alkali content of admixtures
This European Draft Standard specifies a method for the determination of the alkali (sodium and potassium) content of admixtures for concrete, mortar and grouts in accordance with the series EN 934.
Zusatzmittel für Beton, Mörtel und Einpressmörtel -Prüfverfahren - Teil 12: Bestimmung des Alkaligehalts von Zusatzstoffen
Dieses Dokument beschreibt ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung des Alkaligehalts (Natrium plus Kalium) von Zusatzmitteln
für Beton, Mörtel und Einpressmörtel nach den Normen der Reihe EN 934.
Adjuvants pour béton, mortiers et coulis - Méthodes d'essai - Partie 12: Détermination de la teneur en alcalis dans les adjuvants
Le présent document spécifie une méthode pour déterminer la teneur en alcalins (sodium et potassium) des
adjuvants pour bétons, mortiers et coulis, conformément à la série des normes EN 934.
Kemijski dodatki za beton, malto in injekcijsko maso – Preskusne metode – 12. del: Določevanje alkalij v kemijskih dodatkih
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 11-Oct-2005
- Withdrawal Date
- 29-Apr-2006
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 104 - Concrete ( performance, production, placing and compliance criteria )
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 104/SC 3 - Admixtures for concrete
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 18-Jun-2021
- Completion Date
- 14-Apr-2025
- Directive
- 89/106/EEC - Construction products
Relations
- Effective Date
- 22-Dec-2008
Overview
EN 480-12:2005 specifies a standardized test method for determining the alkali content (sodium and potassium) of admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout in accordance with the EN 934 series. The method measures sodium (Na) and potassium (K) in dilute nitric-acid extracts of liquid and powder admixtures, reports them as Na2O and K2O contents and calculates the total Na2O equivalent for quality control and conformity assessment.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Applies to admixtures for concrete, mortar and grouts (EN 934 series).
- Principle: Measurement by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) or an appropriately calibrated flame photometer after extraction in 1% HNO3.
- Sample preparation:
- Liquid admixtures: ~1 ml sample diluted to 1 L with water and 10 ml nitric acid.
- Powder admixtures: ~1 g sample boiled with water and 10 ml nitric acid, filtered if necessary, then diluted to 1 L.
- Measurement settings: Typical wavelength settings around 589 nm for Na and 768 nm for K; calibration using prepared stock solutions or commercial spectroscopic standards.
- Calculations: Report Na2O and K2O content (% by mass) and calculate total Na2O equivalent using:
- Total Na2O equivalent = Na2O + 0.658 × K2O
- Precision note: Interlaboratory data (12 sets) indicated a coefficient of variation ≈ 5% for alkali contents in the 1.0–3.5% Na2O equivalent range.
- Reporting: Must include admixture ID, test date, laboratory, operator, equipment, sample origin, and Na2O/K2O/Na2O-equivalent results.
Practical applications
- Quality control and batch testing of admixtures to ensure consistent chemical contributions to concrete mixes.
- Determining the potential alkali contribution of admixtures to concrete - relevant when managing alkali-related durability risks (e.g., alkali–silica reactions) or meeting project specifications.
- Supplier verification and conformity testing required by procurement or regulatory frameworks referencing EN 934.
- Input for mix design and material compatibility assessments where alkali load is a concern.
Who uses this standard
- Independent testing laboratories and cement/admixture testing facilities.
- Admixture manufacturers for product quality assurance and labeling.
- Concrete producers, specifiers, consultants and standards bodies requiring compliance with EN 934 series.
Related standards
- EN 934 series (Parts 1–5, 8, 10–14) - admixtures definitions, requirements and related test methods.
- EN 196-2 - referenced method for determination of alkali content in cement.
Keywords: EN 480-12:2005, admixtures for concrete, alkali content, sodium potassium, Na2O equivalent, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, flame photometer, EN 934, test method, quality control.
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 480-12:2005 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout - Test methods - Part 12: Determination of the alkali content of admixtures". This standard covers: This European Draft Standard specifies a method for the determination of the alkali (sodium and potassium) content of admixtures for concrete, mortar and grouts in accordance with the series EN 934.
This European Draft Standard specifies a method for the determination of the alkali (sodium and potassium) content of admixtures for concrete, mortar and grouts in accordance with the series EN 934.
EN 480-12:2005 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 91.100.10 - Cement. Gypsum. Lime. Mortar; 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 480-12:2005 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 480-12:1997. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 480-12:2005 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 305/2011, 89/106/EEC; Standardization Mandates: M/128. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
You can purchase EN 480-12:2005 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of CEN standards.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2005
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SIST EN 480-12:1998
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Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout - Test methods - Part 12: Determination of the
alkali content of admixtures
Zusatzmittel für Beton, Mörtel und Einpressmörtel -Prüfverfahren - Teil 12: Bestimmung
des Alkaligehalts von Zusatzstoffen
Adjuvants pour béton, mortiers et coulis - Méthodes d'essai - Partie 12: Détermination de
la teneur en alcalis dans les adjuvants
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 480-12:2005
ICS:
91.100.10 Cement. Mavec. Apno. Malta Cement. Gypsum. Lime.
Mortar
91.100.30 Beton in betonski izdelki Concrete and concrete
products
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 480-12
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
October 2005
ICS 91.100.10; 91.100.30 Supersedes EN 480-12:1997
English Version
Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout - Test methods - Part
12: Determination of the alkali content of admixtures
Adjuvants pour béton, mortiers et coulis - Méthodes d'essai Zusatzmittel für Beton, Mörtel und Einpressmörtel -
- Partie 12: Détermination de la teneur en alcalis dans les Prüfverfahren - Teil 12: Bestimmung des Alkaligehalts von
adjuvants Zusatzstoffen
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 28 July 2005.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official
versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels
© 2005 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 480-12:2005: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents
Page
Foreword .3
1 Scope .4
2 Normative references .4
3 Principle.4
4 Reagents.5
5 Apparatus .6
6 Preparation of calibration graphs.6
7 Test procedure .6
8 Test report .8
Bibliography.9
Foreword
This European Standard (EN 480-12:2005) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 104
“Concrete and related products”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by April 2006, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the
latest by April 2006.
It has been drafted by Subcommittee 3 (SC 3) of TC 104 "Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout".
This document is part of the series EN 480 "Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout – Test methods" which
comprises the following
Part 1 Reference concrete and reference mortar for testing
Part 2 Determination of setting time
Part 4 Determination of bleeding of concrete
Part 5 Determination of capillary absorption
Part 6 Infrared analysis
Part 8 Determination of the conventional dry material content
Part 10 Determination of water soluble chloride content
Part 11 Determination of air void characteristics in hardened concrete
Part 12 Determination of the alkali content of admixtures
Part 13 Reference masonry mortar for testing mortar admixtures
Part 14 Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout - Test methods - Part 14: Measurement of corrosion
1)
susceptibility of reinforcing steel in concrete - Potentiostatic electro-chemical test method
This document is applicable together with the other standards of the EN 480 series.
This document supersedes EN 480-12:1997.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
and United Kingdom.
1) This part is under preparation
1 Scope
This document specifies a method for the determination of the alkali (sodium and potassium) content of
admixtures for concrete, mortar and grouts in accordance with the series EN 934.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 196-2, Methods of testing cement – Determination of the chloride, carbon dioxide and alkali content of
cement.
ISO 648, Laboratory glassware – One-mark pipettes.
ISO 1042, Laboratory glassware – One-mark volumetric flasks.
3 Principle
An atomic absorption spectrophotometer is used to measure the sodium and potassium in dilute nitric acid
extracts from admixtures. The extract is nebulised into an air/acetylene flame and the absorption of sodium or
potassium radiation as it passes through the flame is measured. The amount of absorption is directly
proportional to the sodium or potassium content of the extract at low concentrations. The sodium and
potassium contents are separately measured and their sum, proportioned by molecular mass, is reported as
the total equivalent Na O (alkali) content.
As an alt
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