Designation: C796 – 04

Standard Test Method for

Foaming Agents for Use in Producing Cellular Concrete
Using Preformed Foam1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C796; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope C192/C192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete

1.1 This test method furnishes a way of measuring, in the Test Specimens in the Laboratory
laboratory, the performance of a foaming chemical to be used C495 Test Method for Compressive Strength of Light-
in producing foam (air cells) for making cellular concrete. weight Insulating Concrete
1.2 This test method includes the following: C496/C496M Test Method for Splitting Tensile Strength of
1.2.1 Manufacture of laboratory quantities of cellular con- Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
crete. C511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets,
1.2.2 Determination of the air content of the freshly pre- Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the
pared cellular concrete and of the hardened concrete after Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes
handling in conventional machinery. C802 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Test Pro-
1.2.3 Determination of the following properties of the gram to Determine the Precision of Test Methods for
hardened concrete: compressive strength, tensile splitting Construction Materials
strength, density, and water absorption. It may not be necessary C869 Specification for Foaming Agents Used in Making
to study all of the above properties in all cases, depending on Preformed Foam for Cellular Concrete
the proposed use of the material. 3. Terminology
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as the standard. 3.1 Definitions:
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.1.1 cellular concrete—a lightweight product consisting of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the portland cement, cement-silica, cement-pozzolan, lime-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- pozzolan, or lime-silica pastes, or pastes containing blends of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- these ingredients and having a homogeneous void or cell
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. structure, attained with gas-forming chemicals or foaming
1.5 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes agents (for cellular concretes containing binder ingredients
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes other than, or in addition to portland cement, autoclave curing
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered is usually employed).3 In cellular concrete the density control
as requirements of the standard. is achieved by substituting macroscopic air cells for all or part
of the fine aggregate. Normal-weight coarse aggregate is
2. Referenced Documents usually not used but lightweight aggregates, both fine and
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 coarse, are often utilized in cellular concrete.
C88 Test Method for Soundness of Aggregates by Use of 3.2 Symbols:
Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate
C150 Specification for Portland Cement D ex1 = experimental density of the concrete before
pumping, lb/ft3(kg/m3)
Dex2 = experimental density of the concrete after pump-
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on ing, lb/ft3(kg/m3)
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.23 on Chemical Admixtures.
Dth = theoretical density of the plastic mix based on
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2004. Published November 2004. Originally absolute volume, lb/ft3(kg/m 3)
approved in 1974. Last previous edition approved in 1997 as C796 – 97. DOI: Dd = design density of the text mixture, lb/ft3(kg/m3)
10.1520/C0796-04.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on ACI Committee 116, “Cement and Concrete Terminology,” American Concrete
the ASTM website. Institute, Publication SP-19, 1967, p. 144.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 C796 – 04

SGC = specific gravity of cement = 3.15 6.6 Strike-Off Plate for Molds—A 1⁄4-in. (6-mm) thick, flat
T = time required to overfill the container, min steel plate at least 8 in. (200 mm) longer and 2 in. (50 mm)
T1 = time required to generate 1 ft3(1 m3) of foam, min wider than the diameter of the mold.
V = volume of foam container, ft3(m3) 6.7 Scales—Scales and weights shall be accurate to within
Va = volume of air required in the test batch, ft3(m3) 0.1 % of the weight of the material being measured.
Vc = volume of test specimen (cylinder), ft3(m3) 6.8 Compression Machines—Compression testing ma-
Vf = volume of foam in the test batch, ft3(m3) chines used for compressive strength tests and tensile-splitting
Vw = volume of water absorbed by test specimen in 24 strength tests shall conform to the requirements of Test
h, ft3(m3) Methods C495 and C496/C496M, respectively.
W1 = net weight of foam in overfilled container before 6.9 Drying Oven—The drying oven shall be as described in
striking off, lb (kg) Test Method C88.
W2 = net weight of foam in container after striking off,
6.10 Compressed Air—A source of compressed air capable
lb (kg)
of maintaining pressures in the range of 60 to 100 psi (0.4 to
Wc = weight of cement in the test batch, lb (kg)
Wf = weight of foam in the test batch, lb (kg) 0.7 MPa) to 61 psi (60.007 MPa).
W TW = total weight of water in the test batch, including 6.11 Weighing Container for Concrete— A machined-steel
weight of foam, lb (kg) container of 0.5 ft3(0.014 m3) volume with a flat smooth rim.
W uf = density of foam, lb/ft3(kg/m 3) 6.12 Strike-Off Plate for Weighing Container—A 1⁄4-in.
Ww = weight of water added to test batch at mixer, lb (6-mm) thick, flat steel plate, at least 8 in. (200 mm) longer and
(kg) 2 in. (50 mm) wider than the diameter of the rim of the
weighing container.
4. Summary of Test Method 6.13 Stop Watch—A stop watch graduated in seconds and
4.1 This test method includes the following: minutes.
4.1.1 Manufacture of laboratory quantities of cellular con- 6.14 Calipers—Calipers to span 3, 6, and 12 in. (76, 152,
crete. and 305 mm).
4.1.2 Determination of the air content of freshly prepared 6.15 Foam Weighing Container—A lightweight vessel of
cellular concrete and of hardened concrete after handling in approximately 2 ft3(0.06 m3) capacity, with a smooth rim for
conventional machinery. striking off.
4.1.3 Determination of the following properties of hardened 6.16 Strike-Off Plate for Foam Weighing Container—A
concrete: compressive strength, tensile splitting strength, den- 1⁄4-in. (6-mm) thick, flat steel plate at least 8 in. (200 mm)

sity, and water absorption. It may not be necessary to study all longer and 2 in. (50 mm) wider than the diameter of the rim of
of the above properties in all cases, depending on the proposed the container.
use of the material. 6.17 Small Tools—Small tools such as a rubber-headed
hammer and a trowel shall be provided.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method is used to develop data for comparison 7. Materials and Proportions
or compliance with the requirements of Specification C869.
7.1 Cement—The cement used shall be Type I or Type III
6. Apparatus portland cement meeting the requirements of Specification
6.1 Mixer—The mixer shall be a power-driven paddle-type C150.
mixer with a capacity of at least 4 ft3(0.12 m 3), an operating 7.2 Water-Cement Ratio—The water requirement will vary
speed of 40 to 50 r/min (4.2 to 5.2 rad/s), and equipped with with the type and source of cement. For the purpose of these
rubber wiper blades. tests, w/c = 0.58 for Type I cement and w/c = 0.64 for Type III
6.2 Foam Generator—The foam generator shall be a cement shall be used. However, if a particular cement or
laboratory-sized generator approved by the manufacturer of the foaming agent used with these values of w/c does not produce
foam being used and shall be similar to the type used in the a satisfactory mix, a trial mix or mixes may be made using a
field. different water-cement ratio.
6.3 Pump—The pump shall be an open or closed throat-type 7.3 Batch Quantities—The cement quantity shall be suffi-
pump and shall be run at 260 to 630 r/min (27.2 to 66.0 rad/s). cient to allow molding all the test specimens from one test
The pump shall be equipped with a 4.5-ft3(0.13-m 3)“ feed” batch. The mixture water-cement ratio determined from 7.2
reservoir and 50 ft (15 m) of open-end 1-in. (25-mm) inside shall be used to make the test batch.
diameter rubber hose on the pump discharge, the exit end of the 7.3.1 The foaming solution in the foam shall be considered
hose being at the same height as the pump. as part of the total mixing water. Foam volume shall be
6.4 Curing Cabinet—The curing cabinet shall be as de- adjusted for the batch to produce a density after pumping of 40
scribed in Specification C511. 6 3 lb/ft3(641 6 48 kg/m3).
6.5 Molds—The cylindrical molds for compression test
specimens shall be as described in the Apparatus section of 8. Procedure
Test Method C495. The molds for all other test specimens shall 8.1 Make an aqueous solution of the foaming agent in the
conform to the cylinder molds in the Apparatus section of dilution specified by the manufacturer. If the dilution is not
Practice C192/C192M. specified, preliminary tests are necessary to determine the

2
 C796 – 04
required dilution. A suggested starting point for such tests is 40 Weigh the full container. Calculate the density of the concrete
parts water to 1 part foaming agent, by volume. and record as the density before pumping (D ex1).
8.2 Charge the foam generator with the amount of foaming 8.7.1 Pump the batch of concrete through the 50-ft (15-m)
solution suggested by the manufacturer of the generator. hose, discharging it into a sampling basin. From the sampling
8.3 Connect the generator with the source of compressed basin, take a second density sample as in 8.7, weigh, and record
air, adjusting the pressure to that recommended by the manu- as the density after pumping (Dex 2).
facturer of the foaming agent being tested. 8.8 Molding—Immediately, fill the cylinder molds with
concrete from the sampling basin. Tap the sides of the mold
8.4 Using the stop watch, calibrate the generator as follows.
with the rubber hammer while the mold is being filled. The
Weigh the empty foam container and determine its volume.
minimum number of specimens required is four cylinders, 3 by
Overfill the container with foam, measuring the time required
6 in. (76 by 152 mm) and ten cylinders 6 by 12 in. (152 by 305
using a stop watch then weigh. Strike off the excess foam,
mm).
holding the strike-off plate in a horizontal position (plane of the
8.8.1 As soon as possible after casting, strike off the top
plate horizontal) and moving it across the top of the container
surface of each specimen and cover the specimen with a plastic
with a sawing action. Again weigh. Calculate the time required
bag to prevent evaporation, without marring the surface.
per cubic foot (or cubic metre) of foam using the following
8.9 Removal from Molds and Curing— Follow the appli-
equation:
cable requirements of the Test Specimen section of Test
T1 5 ~T 3 W 2!/~W1 3 V! (1) Method C495 with the following exception: continue air drying
8.4.1 Calculate also the unit weight of the foam as follows: from day 25 to day 28 in place of oven drying the specimens.
Do not oven dry specimens that are to be load-tested.
Wuf 5 W 2/V (2)
8.10 Compressive Strength—Test four 3 by 6-in. (76 by
8.4.2 Calculate the length of time required to generate the 152-mm) cylinders for compressive strength in accordance
required volume of foam, Vf T1, as follows: with Test Method C495.
VfT1 5 62.4 V aT1/~62.4 2 W uf! ~VfT1 5 1000 VaT1/~1000 2 Wuf!! 8.11 Tensile Splitting Strength—Test four 6 by 12-in. (152
(3) by 305-mm) cylinders for tensile splitting strength at age 28
days in accordance with Test Method C496/C496M, for
8.4.3 Calculate the weight, W f, of the required volume of
lightweight concrete.
foam, VfWuf.
8.12 Oven-Dry Weight—Determine the oven-dry density in
NOTE 1—The weight of the foam will usually range from 2 to 4 lb/ft3 accordance with the section on Oven-Dry Weight of Test
(32 to 64 kg/m3) depending on the foam chemical used. Adjust the unit Method C495. Use three 6 by 12-in. (152 by 305-mm)
weight of foam, Wuf, to the manufacturer’s recommendation if the foam cylinders from 7.9 at age 28 days.
generator is adjustable. 8.13 Water Absorption:
8.4.3.1 If Type I cement is used, weigh out 58.0 – Wf lb 8.13.1 Take three 6 by 12-in. (152 by 305-mm) specimens
(26.31 – Wf kg) of water, Ww, and 100.0 lb (45.36 kg) of Type from 8.9 at age 28 days. Take the dimensions with calipers as
I cement. described in the Test Specimen Section of Test Method C495.
8.4.3.2 If Type III cement is used, weigh out 64.0 – Wf lb 8.13.2 Submerge the specimens 6 in. (150 mm) below the
(29.03 – Wf kg) of water, Ww, and 100.0 lb (45.36 kg) of Type water surface. Maintain the water temperature at 73.5 6 3.5 °F
III cement. (23.0 6 2.0 °C). Remove from water, allow excess water to run
off (30 s) and weigh. This is the wet weight of the specimen.
8.5 Wet the mixer with water and drain. Add the water, Ww,
and start the mixer. Gradually add the cement (over a period of 9. Calculation
1⁄2 min). With a trowel, break up any lumps of undispersed
9.1 Air Content:
cement. Mix for 5 min. 9.1.1 Determine the experimental density of the freshly
8.6 While still mixing, add V f ft3(m3) of foam. The required mixed concrete at the mixer, Dex1, and at the pump discharge
foam time is VfT1. Mix for 2 min after all the foam has been (end of hose), Dex2, by dividing the net weights of the samples
added. Discharge the mixer into the pump feed reservoir. from 8.7 and 8.7.1 by the volume of the container. Record to
Immediately, proceed to 8.7. the nearest 0.5 lb/ft3(8 kg/m 3).
8.7 Weighing—Fill a tared weighing container with a rep- 9.1.2 Determine the experimental density of the specimens
resentative sample of the concrete in the reservoir. Before from 8.12 before and after drying from the weights and
taking the sample, carefully mix the concrete in the reservoir to volumes of the specimens. Use three 6 by 12-in. (152 by
assure better uniformity without entrapping large air bubbles in 305-mm) cylinders. Record to the nearest 0.5 lb/ft3(8 kg/m3).
the mix. Use a paddle of proper size to reach the bottom of the 9.1.3 Determine the air content of the freshly mixed con-
reservoir. Use a scoop to transfer the concrete to the container crete from the experimental densities, before and after pump-
and tap the sides of the container briskly with the rubber ing, and the theoretical density, Dth, based on the absolute
hammer during the filling operation. Overfill the container and volume. Record the air content to the nearest 1 %. Calculate
strike off the excess concrete, holding the strike-off plate in a the theoretical density in lb/ft3(kg/m3) as follows:
horizontal position (plane of plate horizontal) and moving it
across the top of the container with a sawing motion. Wipe the
surface of the container free of spilled concrete with a cloth. Inch-Pound Units:

3
 C796 – 04
Dth 5 ~Ww 1 Wc 1 Wf!/[~Ww/62.4! 10.1.7 Loss of air during pumping, %,
1 ~Wc/~SGC 3 62.4!! 1 ~Wf/62.4!# (4) 10.1.8 Tensile splitting strength, and
10.1.9 Difference between design density and experimental
densities before and after pumping.
SI Equivalents:
D th 5 ~Ww 1 Wc 1 W f!/[~Ww/1000! 11. Precision and Bias
1 ~Wc/~SGC 3 1000!! 1 ~Wf/1000!# (5)
11.1 Precision4
9.1.3.1 Calculate the air content before pumping or the 11.1.1 Data used to develop the precision statement were
percent of air at the mixer as follows: obtained using the inch-pound version of this test method. The
Air content before pumping 5 100 [1 2 ~Dex1/Dth!# (6) precision indices shown in parenthesis are exact conversions of
the values in inch-pound units. Data were obtained from three
9.1.3.2 Calculate the air content after pumping, or the
laboratories for one material.
percent of air at end of hose as follows:
11.1.2 Single-Operator Precision—The single-operator
Air content after pumping 5 100 [1 2 ~Dex2/Dth!# (7) standard deviations are listed in the third column of Table 1.
NOTE 2—Using the prescribed procedure and assuming the specific
gravity of cement is 3.15 and that the total water used is 58.0 lb (26.31 kg) TABLE 1 Single Operator Precision
for Type I cement, the theoretical density is 109.9 lb/ft3(1761 kg/m 3).
Acceptable
Similarly, for Type III cement the total water is 64.0 lb (29.03 kg) and the Avg. of Standard Range of
theoretical density is 106.9 lb/ft3(1712 kg/m 3). Laboratory Deviation Two Results
Test Averages (1s) (d2s)
9.1.4 Calculate the loss of air during pumping as the
Compressive
difference between the air content before and after pumping. Strength,
Record to the nearest 1 %. psi (MPa) 427 (2.9) 61 (0.4) 171 (1.2)

Loss of air, % by volume 5 100 [~D ex2 2 Dex1!/Dth# (8) Splitting

Tensile
9.1.5 Calculate the design density ( Dd) of the test mixture Strength,
in lb/ft3(kg/m 3) as follows: psi (MPa) 46 (0.3) 9 (0.06) 24 (0.2)

Density,
lb/ft3 (kg/m3) 31.3 (501) 1.7 (27) 4.8 (77)
Inch-Pound Units:
Absorption, % 17.8 0.6 1.8
Dd 5 ~Ww 1 Wc 1 Wf!/[~Ww/62.4! 1 ~Wc/SGC 3 62.4! 1 V f# (9)

Therefore, results of two properly conducted tests by the same

SI Equivalents: operator are not expected to differ by more than the values
Dd 5 ~Ww 1 Wc 1 Wf!/[~Ww/1000! 1 ~Wc/SGC 3 1000! 1 V f# shown in the fourth column of Table 1.
(10) 11.1.3 Multilaboratory Precision—The multilaboratory
9.2 Water Absorption: standard deviations are listed in the third column of Table 2.
9.2.1 Find the average weight of water absorbed by the
cylinders by subtracting the average dry weight of cylinders TABLE 2 Multilaboratory Precision
(see 8.12) from the average wet weight of cylinders (see 8.13). Acceptable
Record to the nearest 0.1 lb (or 0.05 kg). Avg. of Standard Range of
Laboratory Deviation Two Results
9.2.2 Find the average volume of water absorbed by divid- Test Averages (1s) (d2s)
ing the average weight of water absorbed by the density of
Compressive
water in lb/ft 3(kg/m3). Determine the water absorption using Strength,
the following equation: psi (MPa) 427 (2.9) 68 (0.5) 190 (1.3)

absorption, % by volume 5 ~Vw/Vc! 3 100 (11) Splitting

Tensile
Record absorption to the nearest 0.5 %. Strength,
psi (MPa) 46 (0.3) 8.6 (0.06) 24 (0.2)
10. Report
Density,
10.1 Using the degrees of precision specified in Section 9, lb/ft3 (kg/m3) 31.3 (501) 2.0 (32) 5.6 (90)
report the following:
Absorption, % 17.8 0.6 1.8
10.1.1 Identification of chemical tested, including manufac-
turer’s name, brand, and lot number,
10.1.2 Water to cement ratio and type of cement used,
Therefore, results of two properly conducted tests on the same
10.1.3 Air content before and after pumping,
10.1.4 Oven-dry density,
10.1.5 Water absorption, % by volume, 4
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
10.1.6 Compressive strength, be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:C09-1027.

4
 C796 – 04
material by two different laboratories are not expected to differ data that meets the requirements of Practice C802 will be
by more than the values shown in the fourth column of Table obtained and processed.
2. 11.2 Bias
11.1.4 The numbers of laboratories and materials used in the
11.2.1 Since there is no accepted reference material for
interlaboratory study do not meet the minimum requirements
determining the bias of this test method, no statement on bias
for determining precision prescribed in Practice C802. This
is made.
precision statement is provisional. Within five years, additional

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. DERIVATION OF FORMULA FOR FOAM VOLUME

X1.1 The formula for foam volume required for the test Va 5 ~0.359 WTW 1 0.7965 W c!/641 m 3 (X1.4)
batch may be derived as follows:
X1.2 The air volumes required for the test batches are as
X1.1.1 Knowing the wet density, 40 lb/ft3 (641 kg/m3),
follows:
calculate the volume of air required as follows:
Type of Cement Va, ft3(m3)

Type I 2.51 (0.071)

Inch-Pound Units: Type III 2.57 (0.073)

Wet density, 40 lb/ft3 5 ~WTW 1 Wc!/ X1.3 Treating the diluted foam chemical as water (sp
@~WTW/62.4! 1 ~W c/~3.15 3 62.4!! 1 Va# gr = 1) the following relationships between air volume and
(X1.1) foam volume may be stated:
Vf 5 Va 1 ~Wf/62.4!/ft 3 or Vf 5 Va 1 ~Wf/1000!/m 3
(X1.5)
SI Equivalents:
X1.4 If Wuf is the unit weight of foam, then Wf = Wu f 3 Vf
Wet density, 641 kg/m3 5 ~W TW 1 Wc!/ and the equation in X1.3 may be stated in the following
@~WTW/1000! 1 ~W c/~3.15 3 1000!! 1 Va# manner:
(X1.2)
Vf 2 ~WufVf/62.4! 5 Va ft 3 or Vf 2 ~WufVf/1000! 5 Vam 3
X1.1.2 Solving for the volume of air required in cubic feet (X1.6)
(or cubic metres):
Vf 5 Va/[1 2 ~W uf/62.4!#/ft3 or
Vf
Inch-Pound Units: 5 Va/[1 2 ~W uf/1000!#/m3, and (X1.7)
3
Vf 5 62.4 Va/~62.4 2 Wuf!/ft or Vf 5 1000 Va/~1000 2 W uf!/m 3
Va 5 ~0.359 WTW 1 0.7965 Wc!/40 ft 3 (X1.3)
(X1.8)
SI Equivalents:

5
 C796 – 04

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