SEDL / STP / STP663-EB / STP35784S

History and Status of Standards Relating to Alkalies in Hydraulic Cements

Frohnsdorff, G
Chief, Building Composites Program, research chemist, and research materials engineer, Center for Building Technology, National Engineering Laboratory, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C.

Clifton, JR
Chief, Building Composites Program, research chemist, and research materials engineer, Center for Building Technology, National Engineering Laboratory, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C.

Brown, PW
Chief, Building Composites Program, research chemist, and research materials engineer, Center for Building Technology, National Engineering Laboratory, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C.

Pages: 19    Published: Jan 1978

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Abstract

The evolution of ASTM standards relating to alkalies, specifically sodium and potassium, in portland and blended hydraulic cements is described. The standards include analytical methods for the determination of alkalies in cements, optional specification limits for alkalies in portland cements for use with aggregates that may be deleteriously reactive, and tests for potential alkali reactivity of aggregates. Some shortcomings of the standards are mentioned, and, where they do not treat portland and blended cements in comparable ways, this fact is pointed out. Finally, changes which might be made in the standards to make them responsive to national needs for conservation of energy and materials are suggested.