Designation: C156 − 11

Standard Test Method for

Water Loss [from a Mortar Specimen] Through Liquid
Membrane-Forming Curing Compounds for Concrete1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C156; 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* D1653 Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Or-

1.1 This test method covers laboratory determination of the ganic Coating Films
efficiency of liquid membrane-forming compounds for curing D2369 Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings
concrete, as measured by their ability to reduce moisture loss E178 Practice for Dealing With Outlying Observations
from mortar specimens during the early hardening period.
3. Significance and Use
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical 3.1 The moisture retaining ability of a product as deter-
conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa- mined by this test method is used to assess the suitability of
tion only and are not considered standard. materials for contributing to an appropriate curing environment
for concrete. The laboratory test method is used both in
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the formulating and in specifying or qualifying curing products.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the This test method gives the user a measure of the ability of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- tested curing materials to impede the escape of moisture from
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- a hydraulic cement mortar. Since it is desirable to retain
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.(Warning—Fresh moisture in fresh concrete to promote the hydration process,
hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause failure of the product to minimize the escape of moisture may
chemical burns to skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.)2 lead to loss of strength, cracking, shrinkage, or low abrasion
resistance of the hardened concrete, or a combination thereof.
2. Referenced Documents
3.2 Many factors affect the laboratory test results. Test
2.1 ASTM Standards:3
results obtained may be highly variable as indicated by the
C87 Test Method for Effect of Organic Impurities in Fine
precision statement. Critical factors include the precision of the
Aggregate on Strength of Mortar
control of the temperature, humidity and air circulation in the
C150 Specification for Portland Cement
curing cabinet, preparation and sealing of the mortar
C230/C230M Specification for Flow Table for Use in Tests
specimens, the age and surface condition of the mortar speci-
of Hydraulic Cement
men when the curing product is applied, and the uniformity and
C305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement
quantity of application of the curing membrane.
Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
C778 Specification for Sand 4. Apparatus
D1475 Test Method For Density of Liquid Coatings, Inks,
and Related Products 4.1 Mechanical Mortar Mixer, as described in Practice
C305, or a larger size mixture operating on the same principle.
4.2 Flow Table, as described in Specification C230/C230M.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee 4.3 Molds shall be made of metal, glass, hard rubber, or
C09.22 on Materials Applied to New Concrete Surfaces. plastic, and shall be watertight and rigidly constructed to
Current edition approved June 1, 2011. Published June 2011. Originally prevent distortion during molding of the specimens or handling
approved in 1940. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as C156–09a. DOI:
10.1520/C0156-11. of the mold containing fresh mortar. They shall have a
2
Section on Safety Precautions, Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing, minimum surface area of 12000 mm2 (18.6 in.2), and a
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
3
minimum depth of 19 mm (3⁄4 in.). The top surface shall be
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
round, square, or rectangular with length not more than twice
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the width. The top of the mold shall have a rim to provide a
the ASTM website. firm level surface to support the wood float and to facilitate the

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

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 C156 − 11
grooving and sealing steps of the procedure. The rim shall be NOTE 3—Tissue embedding wax, readily available from scientific
parallel with the bottom surface of the mold. supply houses, is a convenient and reliable sealant.

NOTE 1—Take care to avoid use of an excessive amount of oil, grease, 6. Conditioning
or mold release compound on molds, particularly along the top rim where
sealing compound will be applied. Use of masking tape on the top rim
6.1 The temperature of the room and of all materials when
during application of release compound to prevent contamination has been used in this test shall be 23 6 2 °C (73 6 4 °F) unless
found expedient. otherwise specified, and the room humidity shall be 50 6
4.4 Spoon—A stainless steel serving spoon having a bowl 10 %.
75 to 100 mm (3 to 4 in.) long and 50 to 75 mm (2 to 3 in.) 7. Number of Specimens
wide for transferring the mortar from the mixing bowl to the
mold. 7.1 A set of three or more test specimens shall be made in
order to constitute a test of a given curing material.
4.5 Gloves, of rubber or plastic, to be worn while molding
the specimens. NOTE 4—When more than one set of specimens is to be prepared, each
set should be handled as a group throughout the preparation to make the
4.6 Tamper, of a nonabsorptive, nonabrasive material such elapsed time between molding and application of the curing product as
as medium-hard rubber or seasoned oak rendered non- uniform as possible. This may require mixing the mortar for each set
absorptive by immersion for 15 min in paraffin at approxi- separately.
mately 200 °C. The tamper shall be rectangular with a 25 by 7.2 For determining the quantity of curing compound to be
50-mm (1 by 2-in.) cross section and it shall be a convenient applied (MA) calculate the total top surface area of the
length (150 to 300 mm (6 to 12 in.)). specimen, including the seal and the rim of the mold in square
4.7 Wood Float, approximately 75 by 280 by 20 mm thick millimetres using appropriate geometric formulae.
NOTE 5—The area (A) used in calculating the mass loss per unit area
(3 by 11 by 3⁄4 in.). (L) is calculated in 14.2 from the surface dimensions measured inside the
NOTE 2—A commercial wood float equipped with a substantial handle seal of the specimen.
can be readily reduced to these dimensions. The float shall be resurfaced
or replaced when there is noticeable wear to the floating surface. 8. Proportioning and Mixing Mortar
4.8 Brush, medium-soft bristle 50-mm (2-in.) paint brush to 8.1 Proportioning—Determine the sand content of the mor-
brush the surface of the specimens prior to sealing. tar by adding dry sand to a cement paste having a water-cement
ratio of 0.40 by weight, to produce a flow of 35 6 5 in 10 drops
4.9 Curing Cabinet, maintained at a temperature of 37.8 6 of the flow table, following the procedure described in Test
1.1°C (1006 2 °F) and a relative humidity of 32 6 2 %. The Method C87. Discard the mix used to determine the proportion
curing cabinet shall be of a design that allows movement of of sand to cement.
conditioned air such that the solvent from the curing compound
will be readily evaporated and eliminated from the system. Air NOTE 6—The sand:cement ratio required varies with the source of the
flow over the specimens shall be adjusted to provide an cement. A ratio of 2.5:1 is suggested as a starting point. Flow may be
determined on a 3 to 4 kg batch of mortar which is conveniently mixed in
evaporation rate of 2.0 to 3.4 g/h as measured by the procedure the mixer described in Practice C305. The mixture used to establish the
of Annex A1. The evaporation rate shall initially be measured sand:cement ratio is discarded because it is thought that the age and
for each position in the cabinet in which a specimen will be mixing history of the mortar affect the final moisture loss results and must
placed, and shall be verified annually and whenever any be controlled.
changes are made to the cabinet. The range of evaporation rates 8.2 Mixing—Combine the components of the mortar in a
for all specimen positions in the test cabinet shall be reported. mortar-mixing machine to produce a homogeneous mortar not
4.10 Balance, having the capacity to determine the mass of more than 6 min from the time the water and the cement are
a filled specimen mold to the nearest 0.1 g or less. combined.
4.11 Applicator—For spray application, any apparatus that NOTE 7—A generally effective sequence is to add the cement to all of
the water in the mixing bowl and allow it to stand for 30 s. Then, mix at
can be used to apply the curing compound uniformly and with low speed for 30 s and, without stopping the mixer, add the sand within
minimum overspray is acceptable. For brush or roller 30 s and continue mixing for 1 min. Stop the mixer for 1 min. During the
application, use the equipment recommended by the curing first 15 s, scrape down the sides of the bowl. Finish by mixing for an
compound manufacturer. additional 1 min, and promptly begin molding the specimens.

9. Preparing Specimens
5. Materials
9.1 Thoroughly clean the molds before each use. Use of a
5.1 Portland Cement, conforming to the requirements for mold release is acceptable provided that care is taken to avoid
Type I of Specification C150. its application to the top rim of the mold to prevent interference
5.2 Graded Standard Sand, conforming to the requirements with sealing of the edge.
of Specification C778. 9.2 Half fill the mold and spread the mortar with the back of
5.3 Sealing Compound, that will not be affected by the the spoon to create a layer of approximately uniform thickness.
curing material and which effectively seals against moisture Tamp over the entire surface with one stroke of the 25 by 50
loss between the boundary of the specimen and the edge of the mm (1 by 2 in.) face of the tamper per 1000 mm2 of surface
mold. area rounded to the nearest integer. Place a second layer of

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 C156 − 11
mortar, sufficient in amount to slightly overfill the mold and application rate, the total surface area calculated per 7.2, and
tamp in a similar manner. Using the 25-mm (1-in.) wide by 150 the density of the curing compound, Dm. If no rate is specified,
to 300-mm (6 to 12-in.) long edge of the tamper, fill the apply the curing compound at the rate of 5.0 m2/L (200 ft2/gal).
indentations made by the tamping and level the surface by The method of application shall be in accordance with the
pressing down firmly with a series of contacts across the entire manufacturer’s recommendations.
surface. Strike off the specimen level with the top of the mold 11.3 Immediately after sealing, weigh the specimen to the
using a wood float with one pass only, in the direction of the nearest 0.1 g (M1); then uniformly apply the curing compound
long axis of the specimen for rectangular molds, using a at the specified rate of application. Application shall be made
sawing motion of the float. Keep the 75-mm (3-in.) face of the expeditiously to only one specimen at a time.
float firmly in contact with the mortar and edges of the mold so
that the float creates a uniformly dense surface free of voids NOTE 10—It is desirable to use a spray booth or a laboratory hood to
and cracks. control overspray and solvent fumes especially for curing compounds that
are sprayed. However, the velocity of air movement in the vicinity of the
9.3 Immediately after molding, wipe the outside surfaces of specimen must be kept at a minimum so as to prevent, as much as
the molds clean, and place the specimens in the curing cabinet possible, significant loss of volatiles during spraying and before the final
maintained at the conditions specified in 4.9. The specimens weighing. Spraying shall be accomplished with the minimum pressure and
flow rate of air with which an acceptable spray pattern can be attained.
shall be level and not subject to vibration. The spacing between
the individual specimens and between the specimens and the 11.4 Determine the proper coverage by comparing the initial
side walls of the cabinet shall be between 50 and 175 mm (2 to mass of the specimen (M1), before applying the curing
7 in.). Within these limits the spacing shall be the same for all compound, to the mass after coating. The final mass shall equal
specimens. Use dummy specimens to fill any empty spaces in the initial mass of the specimen plus the predetermined mass of
the cabinet. the curing compound to be applied. This will necessitate
frequent weighing of the specimen during application as full
10. Surface Preparation and Edge Sealing coverage is approached. In the case of brush application,
proper coverage may be determined by weighing the container,
10.1 Remove the specimens from the cabinet immediately
brush, and curing compound before and after application of the
upon disappearance of the surface water and lightly brush the
compound to the specimen. Total time for application shall not
surface using just sufficient force to remove the laitance and
exceed 2 min. Weigh to the nearest 0.1 g (M2). If the final
glaze without scarifying the mortar surface. If surface water
amount of curing compound applied differs from the calculated
appears after brushing, return the specimen to the cabinet but
amount for the specified coverage by more than 10 %, the
immediately remove the specimen upon the disappearance of
specimen shall be discarded.
the surface water brought to the surface by the brushing
operation, and brush again. The mortar shall be free of surface NOTE 11—In previous versions of this test method, coverage was
water but shall not be dry below the surface. The proper surface determined by weighing the application equipment and the curing
compound before and after application to the specimen. Which method is
condition will be attained when brushing does not bring free
more precise has not been established.
water to the surface, or produce smearing, and can be deter-
mined by gently rubbing an area with the finger tip. 11.5 Return the specimens to the cabinet without delay.
NOTE 8—The exposure time in the cabinet and the initial moisture loss NOTE 12—Unusual loss caused by a leaking mold or a faulty seal may
that will result in the proper surface condition is characteristic of the be detected by weighing the specimens 3 to 4 h after application of the
curing cabinet used and other testing conditions related to the laboratory curing material. If one specimen has lost considerably more than the
performing the test. Uniformity of test surface conditions may be others, this specimen is probably faulty. If only three specimens are being
maintained by setting an expected exposure time or initial moisture loss. tested, consider the test invalid (see 14.4).
When any test condition is changed (sand, cement, and so forth), a new
exposure time or initial moisture loss, or both, shall be determined. 12. Determination of Non-Volatile Content of Curing
10.2 Form a V-shaped groove approximately 3 mm (1⁄8 in.) Compounds
deep and not more than 3 mm (1⁄8 in.) wide between the edge 12.1 Determine the proportion of non-volatile matter in the
of the mortar specimen and the mold. Fill the groove with the curing compound (NV) in accordance with Test Method
sealing compound. The sealing compound shall not extend D2369.
more than 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) from the edge of the mold onto the
surface of the specimen. 13. Duration of Test
NOTE 9—To cut out the groove for sealing, the tip of a pointed trowel, 13.1 Specimens shall be stored in the test cabinet for 72 h,
a pointed spatula, a pointed triangular can opener, or a “hawksbill point”
ground on the end of a spatula or knife blade have all been reported to be
then removed, and immediately weighed (M3). Other test times
effective. may be specified by the purchaser.

11. Application of Curing Materials 14. Calculation

11.1 Determine the density of the curing compound, Dm, in 14.1 Loss of Mass:
accordance with Test Method D1475. 14.1.1 Calculate the loss of mass from each specimen in
11.2 Calculate the mass of the curing compound to be grams as follows:
applied, MA, to the nearest 0.1 g based on the specified ML 5 M 1 1 ~ NV 3 MA! 2 M 3 (1)

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 C156 − 11
where: 15.1.2 Type of curing material,
ML = mass loss of the specimen, g, 15.1.3 Manufacturer’s batch number,
M 1 = mass of the sealed specimen, g, 15.1.4 Quantity of material represented by the sample,
NV = proportion of non-volatile matter in the curing 15.1.5 Date sampled, and
compound, g, 15.1.6 Source of the sample.
MA = mass of the curing compound applied, g, = M2 − M1, 15.2 Report the following information regarding the test:
15.2.1 Laboratory sample identification,
M2 = mass of the specimen immediately after applying 15.2.2 Surface area inside the seal and depth of mortar
curing compound, g, and specimens,
M3 = mass of specimen at the conclusion of the test, g.
15.2.3 Brand of cement used,
14.2 Specimen Area: 15.2.4 Proportions of mortar by weight,
14.2.1 Calculate the area of the specimen (A) in square 15.2.5 Method of application,
millimetres by measuring the dimensions of the surface from 15.2.6 Duration of the test,
the inner edges of the seal to the nearest millimetre and 15.2.7 Range of evaporation rates of test cabinet,
applying the appropriate geometric formula. 15.2.8 Rate of application, and
14.3 For each specimen, calculate the mass loss per unit 15.2.9 Average loss of water per unit area.
area (L) in kg/m2 as:
16. Precision and Bias
L 5 1000 3 ML/A (2)
16.1 Precision—Efforts to establish a more meaningful
14.4 Rejection of Results: measure of the precision of this test method continue. The
14.4.1 In a set of three or more specimens, if the difference previous version of this test method, containing some differ-
in moisture loss between the specimen having the greatest loss ences in testing technique, contained a precision statement. The
and that with the least loss exceeds 0.15 kg/m2, the test shall be single-operator standard deviation was reported as 0.13 kg/m2
repeated and the average taken as that of all specimens in the and the multilaboratory standard deviation as 0.30 kg/m2.4
original and repeat tests. If, after the repeat test, it is deter-
mined that the result on a single specimen, whether from the 16.2 Bias—Since there is no accepted reference material
original or repeat test, meets the criteria for rejection as an suitable for determining the bias of this test method, no
outlier as given in Practice E178, such value shall be disre- statement on bias is being made.
garded and a new average calculated that does not include such 17. Keywords
outlying value.
17.1 concrete curing materials; liquid membrane-forming
15. Report curing compounds; moisture retention by concrete curing
15.1 Report the following information for the materials materials
tested:
15.1.1 Manufacturer’s name, address, and brand 4
See Test Method C156 – 80a, 1987 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol
designation, 04.02.

ANNEX

(Mandatory Information)

A1. STANDARDIZATION OF EVAPORATION RATE IN TEST CABINETS

A1.1 This procedure provides a means for measuring the A1.2.1 Cup—A permeability cup, conforming to the speci-
rate of evaporation of water from a standard surface in order to fications of Test Method D1653.
characterize a controlled set of environmental conditions A1.2.2 Filter Paper—7 cm disks.
(temperature, humidity, air circulation) by providing a system
A1.2.3 Absorbent Filler—Absorbent cotton balls.
which will lose water at a nearly constant rate for a period of
time long enough to establish a characteristic rate. Comparison A1.2.4 Mold Cover—Stiff cardboard or sheet metal plate
of results from different positions in the same cabinet can having the same dimensions as the top of the specimen mold,
establish whether or not conditions are uniform throughout the and having a 63 mm (21⁄2 in.) diameter hole in its center.
cabinet. Comparisons between labs may help to rationalize A1.2.5 Balance—Any balance having a capacity of 200 g or
differing results. more and a sensitivity and accuracy of 0.01 g or less.
A1.2 Apparatus: A1.3 Procedure:

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 C156 − 11
A1.3.1 Fill the permeability cup with the absorbent filler L 5 mi 2 mt (A1.1)
using three cotton balls pulled together to make a uniform
where:
sponge. Fill the cup with distilled water, lay a disk of filter
paper over the cup, and complete assembly of the cup. Place L = cumulative mass loss,
mi = initial mass, and
the mold cover on top of an empty specimen mold and fasten
mt = mass at time, t.
it in place with masking tape. Put the cup in the hole in the
center of the mold. Place the mold and cup in the test cabinet A1.4.2 Plot the cumulative mass loss (L) versus elapsed
in the position to be tested and allow 1 h for it to reach time (t) and determine the slope for the test period. Report as
temperature equilibrium. Determine the mass of the cup to the loss rate in grams per hour. Alternatively, the slope may be
nearest 0.01 g and immediately return it to the cabinet. calculated by a “least squares” method. (The rate of loss should
Reweigh at approximately 1 h intervals for 5 to 7 h. Record the be nearly constant throughout the test period.)
mass and the total elapsed time to the nearest 2 min for each
A1.5 : Precision and Bias:
interval.
A1.5.1 Precision—Data for a precision statement is being
A1.4 Calculation: collected.
A1.4.1 Calculate the total mass loss at each time interval as A1.5.2 Bias—This test method has no bias because the
follows: evaporation rate is defined only in terms of this test method.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this test method since the last issue,
C156–09a, that may impact the use of this test method. (Approved June 1, 2011)

(1) Revised 1.1. (2) Added new 11.1 and renumbered subsequent paragraphs.
Revised 11.2.

Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this test method since the last issue,
C156–09, that may impact the use of this test method. (Approved December 15, 2009)

(1) Revised the title of the standard.

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