Designation: C470/C470M – 09

Standard Specification for

Molds for Forming Concrete Test Cylinders Vertically 1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C470/C470M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revis
revision.
ion. A number in parentheses
parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Sco
Scope*
pe* C192/C192M   Practi
Practice
ce for Mak
Making
ing and Cur
Curing
ing Con
Concre
crete
te
1.1 Th
1.1 This
is sp
spec
ecifi
ificat
catio
ion
n co
cove
vers
rs mo
mold
ldss fo
forr us
usee in fo
form
rmin
ing
g Test Specimens in the Laboratory
cylindrical concrete specimens. The provisions of this specifi- C1077  Practice for Laboratories Testing Concrete and Con-
cation include the requirements for both reusable and single- crete Aggregates for Use in Construction and Criteria for
use molds. Laboratory Evaluation
D256   Test
Test Met
Method
hodss for Det
Determ
ermini
ining
ng the Izo
Izod
d Pen
Pendul
dulum
um
NOTE   1—Sizes included are molds having diameters from 50 mm [2 Impact Resistance of Plastics
in.] to 900 mm [36 in.].
D570   Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound
inch-pound units
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in 3. General Requirements
Requirements
each system may not be exa exact
ct equ
equiva
ivalen
lents;
ts; the
theref
refore
ore,, each 3.1 The fol
follow
lowing
ing pro
provis
vision
ionss app
apply
ly to bot
bothh reu
reusab
sable
le and
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining single-use molds:
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance 3.1.1 Molds shall
shall be constructed
constructed in the form of right circular
circular
with the standard. The inch-pound units are shown in brackets. cylinders
cylind ers which stand with the cylind
cylindrical
rical axis vertic
vertical
al and the
1.3 The following
following safety hazards
hazards caveat pertains only to the top
top op
open
en to re
recei
ceive
ve ththee co
conc
ncre
rete.
te. They shshall
all be mad
madee of 
test method described in this specification:  This standard does materials that do not react with concrete containing portland or
nott pu
no purp
rpor
ortt to ad
addr
dres
esss alalll of th
thee sa
safet
fetyy co
conc
ncern
erns,
s, if an
anyy, other hydraulic cements. They shall be watertight and suffi-
associated
associ ated with its use. It is the responsibili
responsibilityty of the user of this ciently strong and tough to permit their use without tearing,
standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices crushing, or deforming.
and determine the appli
applicabilit
cabilityy of reg
regulato
ulatory
ry limitat
limitations
ions prior 
NOTE 2—Reu
2—Reusable
sable lids may be used on molds to reduce moisture
moisture loss.
to use.
1.4 The text of this standard
standard references
references notes and footnotes 3.1.2 Mol
3.1.2 Molds
ds sha
shall
ll hav
havee a nom
nominal
inal inside
inside hei
height
ght equal to
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes twice the nominal inside diameter. The diameter of a mold,
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered consisting of the average of two measurements taken at right
as requirements of the standard. angles to each other at the top of the mold, shall not differ from
the nominal diameter by more than 1 %. The height, deter-
2. Referenc
Referenced
ed Documents
Documents mined by averaging two measurements taken 180° apart, shall
2.1   ASTM Standards: 2 not differ
differ from the nominal
nominal hei
height
ght by mor
moree tha
than
n 2 %. The
C31/C31M  Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test planes of the top rim of the mold and the bottom shall be
Specimens in the Field perpen
perpendic
dicula
ularr to the axi
axiss of the mold with
within
in 0.5 degrees—
degrees—
C33   Specification for Concrete Aggregates approximately equivalent to 3 mm in 300 mm [  ⁄ 8  in. in 12 in.].
1

No diameter of a mold shall differ from any other diameter of 

the same mold by more than 2 % except that molds that fail to
1
This specification
specification is under the jurisd
jurisdiction
iction of ASTM Committee
Committee C09 on
meet this requirement may be used when the user is able to
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.61   on Testing for Strength. demonstrate that no diameter of hardened concrete specimen
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2009. Published November 2009. Originally produced in a similar mold differs from any other diameter on
approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as C470/C470M-08. DOI: the same specimen by more than 2 % (see  Note 3). 3).
10.1520/C0470_C0470M-09.
2
For refere
referenced
nced ASTM stand
standards,
ards, visit the ASTM websi
website,
te, www
www.astm
.astm.org
.org,, or NOTE   3—Certain single-use molds may require the use of a special
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For  Annual Book of ASTM  device such as a tub
device tubee of heavy-gag
heavy-gagee met
metal
al aro
around
und the mol
moldd durduring
ing
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on molding to maintain the dimensional tolerances specified in 3.1.2
in 3.1.2..
the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

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 C470/C470M – 09
3.1.3 The bottom inside surface of the mold shall not depart 5.3  Single-use Plastic Molds—Molds shall conform to the
from a plane by more than 2 mm in 150 mm [ 1 ⁄ 16  in. in 6 in.] following additional requirements when plastic is the predomi-
(1 % of the diameter of the mold). nant material used in construction:
5.3.1   Wall Thickness—The side walls shall be of sufficient
4. Reusable Molds stiffness to meet the requirements of  3.1 (See  Note 5).
4.1 Reusable molds are those which are designed to be used NOTE  5—This can be achieved through sufficient side wall thickness
more than a single time. Reusable molds shall be made of  alone, or in combination with a stiffened top.
nonabsorptive materials, and constructed as either one piece or 5.3.2   Bottom Design—The bottom shall be designed so that
several pieces (see Note 4). it will be flush with the bottom of the sidewall within a
4.2 Reusable molds shall be provided with a closure or base tolerance of 2 mm [ 1 ⁄ 16   in.]. An inside fillet, if any, at the
on the lower end at right angles to the axis of the cylinder. bottom of the sidewall shall have an indentation around the
Molds may be single piece molds or made from castings with circumference no more than 4 mm [1 ⁄ 8   in.] in the vertical
a separate detachable base plate or a base that is an integral part direction or no more than 5 mm [ 3 ⁄ 16 in.] in the radial direction.
of the sidewall. The mold shall be either coated or made of a The bottom shall be of adequate rigidity to prevent permanent
material that will prevent adherence to the concrete. At the time deformation when specimens are molded in accordance with
of use, molds shall not leak water. An inside fillet, if any, at the the applicable provisions of Practice   C31/C31M or   C192/ 
bottom of the side wall shall have an indentation around the C192M.
circumference no more than 3 mm [1 ⁄ 8 in.] in the vertical 5.3.3   Material—The mold manufacturer shall certify that:
direction or no more than 5 mm [ 3 ⁄ 16   in.] in the horizontal (1) the plastic material used in molds has a maximum water
direction. absorption of less than 0.5 % in 24 h when tested in accordance
4.3 Reusable molds shall be tested for water leakage as with Test Method   D570; (2) the plastic has an Izod impact
described in 6.4, for resistance to damage as described in 6.3.1, toughness of at least 117 J/m [2.2 ft lb/in.] of notch for a 4 mm
and for dimensional stability in accordance with 3.1.2 and 3.1.3 [1 ⁄ 8  in.] thick specimen tested in accordance with Test Methods
initially and after every 50 uses or every six months, whichever D256; and (3) after being held at 12 °C [10 °F] for 24 h, the
comes first. plastic shall not fracture when subject to tapping and jarring
NOTE  4—Satisfactory molds can be made from lengths of steel tubing that is judged to be typical of what occurs when specimens are
or pipe that is slit on one side parallel to the axis and fitted with a means molded in accordance with the applicable provisions of Prac-
of closing the vertical slit as well as a means of attaching a base plate. The tice C31/C31M or C192/C192M.
required dimensional tolerances must be maintained after slitting, clamp- 5.4   Paper Molds—When paper or other potentially absorp-
ing, and attaching the base plate. Other nonabsorptive materials which
tive fiber material is used as the primary structural material in
have been used include iron, brass, steel, and various plastics. Although
aluminum and magnesium alloys have been used, some of these alloys
the construction of the side walls or bottom of the mold, the
may be reactive with cement constituents and are therefore unacceptable. mold shall conform to the following additional requirements:
5.4.1   Side Walls—The side walls of paper molds shall be
5. Single-Use Molds made with a minimum of three plies having a combined
5.1 Single-use molds are molds designed to be used once thickness of not less than 2 mm [0.070 in.]. Seams on the inside
and discarded. They are permitted to be made of sheet metal, of the mold shall not be open by more than 2 mm [ 1 ⁄ 16   in.].
plastic, suitably treated paper products, or other materials and NOTE   6—The minimum thickness of material used in side walls and
shall conform to the requirements of this specification. bottoms is considered adequate for cylinders up to 150 mm [6 in.] in
5.2   Physical Requirements—The molds as prepared for use diameter. For larger cylinders thicker material may be required to meet
shall comply with the following: requirements of  3.1.
5.2.1   Water Leakage—When tested as described in Section 5.4.2   Bottom Caps —The bottom cap of the mold shall be
6, there shall be no visible leakage. made of either metal or paper. If metal, it shall not be less than
5.2.2   Absorptivity—When tested as described in Section 6, 0.23 mm [0.009 in.] in thickness and coated to prevent
the absorption shall not exceed the values given in   Table 1. corrosion (Note 6). It shall be designed so that it will be flush
Intermediate values are proportional to the square of the height. with the bottom edge of the side wall within a tolerance of 2
5.2.3   Elongation—When tested as described in Section 6, mm [1 ⁄ 16   in.] and the inside crimp, if any, shall produce an
the elongation after test shall not exceed 0.2 % of height. indentation around the circumference of the cylinder no more
than 5 mm [ 3 ⁄ 16  in.] in the radial, and no more than 4 mm [ 1 ⁄ 8
in.] in the vertical direction. If made of paper, the bottom cap
TABLE 1 Limits for Absorption and Elongation of the mold shall be of parchment-lined cap stock not less than
Nominal Mold Height,
Absorption, max g
Elongation, max 0.7 mm [0.028 in.] thick (Note 6). It shall be glued to the
mm [in.] mm [in.]
outside of the walls by means of a flange not less than 19 mm
100 [4] 2.7 0.2 [0.008] [3 ⁄ 4  in.] high. The glue shall be water-insoluble adhesive of the
150 [6] 6.0 0.3 [0.012]
200 [8] 11 0.4 [0.016] resin type that will not react with fresh concrete. Only the
300 [12] 24 0.6 [0.024] practicable minimum amount of adhesive shall be exposed on
450 [18] 54 0.9 [0.036] the inner side of the bottom of the mold.
600 [24] 96 1.2 [0.048]
900 [36] 216 1.8 [0.072] 5.4.3   Waterproofing—The mold made from paper or fiber
shall be completely coated on inside and outside, side walls,

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 C470/C470M – 09
and bottom with a suitable waterproofing medium (Note 7). mold, the indentation produced in the concrete cylinder shall
The top edge shall be waterproofed, or coated, to limit not exceed 4 mm [1 ⁄ 8  in.] in either a radial or vertical direction.
absorption. The surfaces of metal bottoms, which must comply 5.5.4   Coating—If the mold is made of material which will
with 5.4.2, need not be coated. Any waterproofing coating used rust, corrode, react, or adhere to the freshly mixed or hardened
in this application shall have a melting point not less than 49 °C concrete, it must be coated with a protective coating of lacquer
[120 °F] (Note 8). The coating shall provide a film over the or other suitable material.
inside that will minimize adherence of the concrete to the side
walls and the bottom. 6. Test Methods for Elongation, Absorption, and Water
Leakage
NOTE  7—Paraffin coating for this use may be of the grade known to the
trade as crude scale wax or of any superior grade. In general, a film of 
6.1   Apparatus—The assembly used for the absorption-
paraffin of sufficient thickness to accomplish the intended purposes will elongation test shall follow the principles illustrated in Fig. 1.
permit one to raise a curl of paraffin with the thumbnail. 6.2   Specimens—Molds shall be selected as described in
NOTE  8—Such coatings may be unsuitable for molds that are subjected Section 2. Single-use molds shall not be reused nor the same
to temperatures above 49 °C [120 °F], either before or after filling with mold retested.
concrete. 6.3   Test Procedure for Molds:
5.5   Single-Use Sheet Metal Molds—Molds shall conform to 6.3.1 Samples of all types of single-use molds and reusable
the following additional requirements when light-gage sheet plastic molds shall be subjected to the dry rodded coarse
metal is the predominant material used in their construction: aggregate test as described in 6.3.2 to evaluate their resistance
5.5.1   Metal Thickness—The side wall of steel sheet metal to damage under use and to the water leakage test described in
molds shall be manufactured from sheet metal not thinner than 6.3.3 and   6.3.4.   Paper or other potentially absorptive molds
can-making quality blackplate and shall have a minimum metal shall additionally be tested for absorptivity and elongation
thickness corresponding to that of 48.5-kg [107-lb] blackplate, described in 6.3.5. Plastic and sheet metal molds need not be
which is approximately 0.300 mm [0.0118 in.] thick or 30 1 ⁄ 2 tested for elongation and absorption, but should be tested for
gage. The metal for the bottom of the mold shall have a water leakage. Dimensional requirements for all molds shall be
minimum thickness of 0.23 mm [0.009 in.] (Note 6). verified.
5.5.2   Bottom Design—The bottom shall be so designed that 6.3.2 Prepare the mold for test by filling with dry crushed
it will be flush with the bottom of the side wall within a stone coarse aggregate meeting the grading requirements of 
tolerance of 2 mm [1 ⁄ 16   in.]. An inside crimp, if used, shall Specification C33 size No. 57, 25.0 to 4.75 mm [1 in. to No. 4]
produce an indentation around the circumference of the cylin- or No. 67, 19.0 to 4.75 mm [ 3 ⁄ 4  in. to No. 4]. Fill and compact
der no more than 4 mm [ 1 ⁄ 8  in.] in the vertical or 5 mm [ 3 ⁄ 16 the mold by the rodding procedure specified in Practice
in.] in the radial direction. C192/C192M for compression test specimens using the tamp-
5.5.3   Top Edge—The top edge of the side wall shall be ing rod, number of layers and number of strokes per layer
curled or beaded to strengthen the mold and protect the user specified. It will generally not be possible to obtain the
from sharp edges. If such bead protrudes to the inside of the penetration of the tamping rod specified in Practice   C192/ 

FIG. 1 Apparatus for Absorption-Elongation Test of Paper Molds

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 C470/C470M – 09
C192M.   After rodding the final layer, empty the coarse 8. Record to be Prepared by the Purchaser
aggregate, wipe lightly with a dry cloth and examine the mold 8.1 Where applicable for the type of mold tested, record and
for physical damage. retain in accordance with Practice C1077  the following infor-
6.3.3 After completion of   6.3.2, determine the mass of the mation for each mold tested:
mold and record to the nearest 0.004 g/mm [0.1 g/in.] of mold
8.1.1 Brand or source of molds,
height. Place the mold on a firm, flat surface and fill with water
8.1.2 Shipment or lot from which the mold was taken,
at room temperature to a depth of 90 to 95 % of the mold
8.1.3 Date sampled and date tested,
height. Then place the mold on the dial stand, cover with the
glass or metal plate and record the initial length by dial 8.1.4 Brief general description of the mold including nomi-
micrometer to the nearest 0.025 mm [0.001 in.]. nal dimensions, type of mold, and materials of which it is
6.3.4 Allow the mold to stand for 3 h and take a final made,
reading of the micrometer. Examine and record any visible 8.1.5 Total absorption, g, if specified,
leakage. Empty water from the mold, dry lightly with a towel 8.1.6 Total expansion, mm [in.], if specified, and
and record the final mass to the nearest 0.04 g/cm [0.1 g/in.] of  8.1.7 Water leakage reported in terms of compliance, or
mold height. failure by leakage.
6.3.5 Calculate the elongation as the difference between the 8.2 Where applicable for the type of mold tested, record and
final length and initial length. Calculate the absorption as the retain the following information for samples which do not meet
difference between the final mass and initial mass of the mold. the requirements of the specification:
6.3.6 Verify all dimensional requirements. 8.2.1 Average diameter or height, mm [in.],
6.4   Water Leakage Test for Reusable Molds: 8.2.2 Maximum and minimum diameters or heights, mm
6.4.1 Prepare reusable molds with the sealant to be used, if  [in.],
required. Fill molds with water to a depth of 90 to 95 % of the 8.2.3 Nonconformance with required perpendicularity of 
nominal height. Subject the mold to tapping and jarring which rim or base to the axis of the mold,
is judged to be typical of what occurs when specimens are 8.2.4 Apparent reaction between mold materials and con-
molded in accordance with the applicable provisions of Prac- crete or mortar or corrosion of metal in contact with concrete,
tice C31/C31M or C192/C192M.
8.2.5 Melting point less than 49 °C [120 °F],
6.4.2 One hour after tapping, examine for visible leakage.
8.2.6 Minimum thickness of materials in side walls or
7. Sampling and Rejection bottom, and
7.1 At least three single-use and reusable molds shall be 8.2.7 Dimension of crimp in bottom, top edge or construc-
selected at random from each shipment by the purchaser to tion of paper bottom.
ensure that the molds are in compliance with this specification.
7.2 Failure of any one of the three molds to comply with this 9. Keywords
specification shall be basis for rejection of the shipment. 9.1 concrete; molds; test cylinders

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this specification since the last issue,
C470/C470M – 08, that may impact the use of this specification. (Approved October 1, 2009)

(1) Revised 4.3 to require initial compliance testing of reusable (2) Replaced “report” with “record and retain” in Section 8.
molds before being placed in service. (3) Added Practice C1077 to 8.1  and Referenced Documents.

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