ASTM C494/C494M-19e1 Standard Specification For Chemical Admixtures For Concrete
ASTM C494/C494M-19e1 Standard Specification For Chemical Admixtures For Concrete
ASTM C494/C494M-19e1 Standard Specification For Chemical Admixtures For Concrete
C494/C494M-19e1
Standard Specification for Chemical Admixtures for Concrete
Abstract
This specification covers the materials and the test methods for use in chemical
admixtures to be added to hydraulic-cement concrete mixtures in the field. The seven
types of admixtures are indicated as follows: Type A—water reducing; Type B—retarding;
Type C—accelerating; Type D—water reducing and retarding; Type E—water reducing and
accelerating; Type F—water reducing, high range; and Type G—water reducing, high
range, and retarding. The materials used in the concrete mixtures shall include Type I or
Type II cement, pozzolan, fine and coarse aggregates, and air-entraining admixture.
Samples of freshly mixed concrete from at least three separate batches for each concrete
condition shall be tested according to the slump, air content, time of setting, and water
content tests. Physical properties retesting shall consist of uniformity and equivalence
tests using infrared analysis which is intended to compare qualitatively the composition
of different samples, residue by oven drying which shall be either a forced circulation
type or one with provision for free access of air, and specific gravity determination using
hydrometers. Test specimens of the hardened concrete shall be prepared in accordance
to compressive strength, flexural strength, resistance to freezing and thawing, and length
change.
Scope
1.1 This specification covers materials for use as chemical admixtures to be added to
hydraulic-cement concrete mixtures for the purpose or purposes indicated for the eight
types as follows:
NOTE 2: The purchaser should verify that the admixture supplied for use in the work is
equivalent in composition to the admixture subjected to test under this specification (see
Section 6, Uniformity and Equivalence).
NOTE 3: Admixtures that contain sufficient amounts of chloride may accelerate corrosion
of steel reinforcement. Compliance with the requirements of this specification does not
constitute assurance of acceptability of the admixture for use in reinforced concrete.
1.3.1 Level 1—During the initial approval stage, proof of compliance with the
performance requirements defined in Table 1 demonstrates that the admixture meets the
requirements of this specification. Proof of compliance shall be based on comparisons of
the average test results from the batches of test concrete and the average test results
from the batches of reference concrete. Admixtures (except for Types B, C, E, and S) shall
qualify for provisional compliance if the time of setting, length change, and durability
factor meet the physical requirements and any of the alternative compressive strength
requirements shown in parentheses in Table 1 are met through the date of provisional
acceptance (see Note 4). If subsequent test results at six months or one year fail to meet
the requirement of at least 100 % of reference strength, the provisional compliance of the
admixture to this standard is withdrawn and all users of the admixture shall be notified
immediately. Uniformity and equivalence tests of Section 6 shall be carried out to provide
results against which later comparisons shall be made.
NOTE 4: Allowing for provisional compliance while retaining longer term compressive
strength requirements promotes more rapid qualification of new materials, but also
provides assurance that new admixture technologies will not exhibit unexpected longer
term performance. The alternative compressive strength requirements in Table 1 are
based on statistical analysis of 103 Specification C494/C494M evaluation tests. The
alternative requirements shown in parentheses correspond to a 99 % probability of
passing strength requirements at subsequent test ages,2 if any one of the requirements is
met. There is no requirement that all be met.
1.3.2 Level 2—Limited retesting is described in 5.2 – 5.2.2. Proof of compliance with the
requirements of Table 1 demonstrates continued conformity of the admixture with the
requirements of the specification.
1.3.3 Level 3—For acceptance of a lot or for measuring uniformity within or between lots,
if specified by the purchaser, the uniformity and equivalence tests of Section 6 shall be
used.
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately
as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents;
therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used
independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.
Some values have only SI units because the inch-pound equivalents are not used in
practice.
1.5 The text of this standard refers to notes and footnotes that provide explanatory
material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be
considered as requirements of the standard.
1.6 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to test method Sections 11 – 18 of
this Specification: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns
associated with its use, if any. 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. (Warning—Fresh hydraulic
cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause chemical burns to exposed skin and
tissue upon prolonged exposure.3)