Designation: C115 – 10

Standard Test Method for

Fineness of Portland Cement by the Turbidimeter1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C115; 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.

1. Scope* C430 Test Method for Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by the

1.1 This test method covers determination of the fineness of 45-µm (No. 325) Sieve
portland cement as represented by a calculated measure of C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
specific surface, expressed as square centimetres of total for Test Methods for Construction Materials
surface area per gram, or square metres of total surface area per IEEE/ASTM SI 10 American National Standard for Use of
kilogram, of cement, using the Wagner turbidimeter.2 the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the System
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3.1 The purpose of this test method is to determine whether
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. or not the hydraulic cement under test meets the Wagner
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units turbidimetric fineness requirements of the applicable hydraulic
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in cement specification for which the test is being made. Fineness
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each of the cement component is only one of the many character-
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining istics that influence the strength capabilities of concrete.
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance 4. Apparatus
with the standard. Values in SI units [or inch-pound units] shall
be obtained by measurement in SI units [or inch-pound units] 4.1 Nature of Apparatus—The Wagner turbidimeter consists
or by appropriate conversion, using the Rules for Conversion essentially of a source of light maintained at constant intensity
and Rounding given in IEEE/ASTM SI 10 of measurements and adjusted so that approximately parallel rays of light pass
made in other units. Values are stated in SI units when through a suspension of the cement to be tested and impinge
inch-pound units are not used in practice. upon the sensitive plate of a photoelectric cell. The current
generated in the cell is measured by means of a microammeter
2. Referenced Documents and the indicated reading is a measure of the turbidity of the
2.1 ASTM Standards:3 suspension. General considerations indicate that turbidity is in
C114 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic turn a measure of the surface area of the suspended sample of
Cement cement. The apparatus shall consist specifically of the parts
described in 4.2-4.7 and shall be constructed in accordance
with the detailed design and dimensional requirements shown
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C01 on Cement in Fig. 1 and Table 1, except that the case may be either of
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C01.25 on Fineness.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2010. Published March 2010. Originally
wood or of metal.
approved in 1934. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as C115–96a(2003). DOI: 4.2 Turbidimeter, mounted in a suitable wood or metal case
10.1520/C0115_C0115M-10. including the following features:
2
The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time 4.2.1 Source of Light—The source of light (Fig. 1) shall
is the Wagner turbidimeter. If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide
this information to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive consist of a concentrated-filament electric lamp of between 3
careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee,1 which and 6 cd operated by a source of constant emf. The lamp shall
you may attend. This turbidimeter was developed by L. A. Wagner, Research be mounted rigidly in the socket. A clean, bright parabolic
Associate of the Cement Reference Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and
Technology, Washington, DC. A description of the apparatus and the original
metallic reflector shall be rigidly mounted behind the lamp,
mathematical derivations of formulas used are given in the paper: Wagner, L. A., “A focused so that approximately parallel rays of light will pass
Rapid Method for the Determination of the Specific Surface of Portland Cement,” through the sedimentation tank and impinge upon the photo-
Proceedings , ASTM, ASTEA, Vol 33, Part II, 1933, p. 553. electric cell. The light intensity shall be regulated by two
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
rheostats of approximately 6 and 30 V, respectively, and they
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on shall possess such characteristics that uniform changes in light
the ASTM website.

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

Copyright (C) ASTM International. 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO box C700, West Conshohocken Pennsylvania USA

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); 1

 C115 – 10
4.2.5 Photoelectric Cell—The means of measuring the light
intensity shall be a sensitive photoelectric cell connected
directly to a microammeter. A hood with a horizontal slot 13
mm [1⁄2 in.] in height by 35 mm [13⁄8 in.] in width shall be
mounted over the photoelectric cell. The front of the hood shall
be 25 6 1 mm [1 6 1⁄16 in.] in front of the face of the cell. The
face of the photocell shall be parallel to the tank faces within
Microammeter Internal Resistance = 90 V 0.5 mm [0.02 in.].
Shunt Equivalent Resistance:
470 3 100 4.2.6 Shield—A metallic shield having a slot 16 mm [5⁄8 in.]
470 V in parallel with 100 V 5 5 82 V
470 1 100 in height by 38 mm [11⁄2 in.] in width, as indicated in Fig. 1,
Meter & Shunt Equivalent + Resistance:
90 3 82 shall be placed between the heat absorbing device and the
90 V in parallel with 82 V 5 5 43 V
90 1 82 sedimentation tank.
Series Resistance = 90 − 43 = 47 V
FIG. 1 Illustrated Example of D’Arsonval Meter Circuit for Ir 4.2.7 Elevating Device—The source of the light, the heat-
Determination absorbing device, the photoelectric cell, the retarding filter, and
the shield shall be mounted on a movable shelf which may be
raised or lowered by two connected lead screws, and which
intensity may be obtained over the full range of resistance. The may be readily and accurately adjusted so that the turbidity of
rheostats shall be mounted in parallel with each other and in the suspension may be determined at any desired depth. The
series with the lamp. center of the light source, the heat absorbing device, the
4.2.2 Heat-Absorbing Device—The light shall pass through photocell, the center of the slots of the metal shield, and the
a suitable heat absorbing device before entering the sedimen- hood shall be on a straight line which is parallel to the shelf.
tation tank in order that radiant heat from the beam shall be The sedimentation tank shall be mounted on a base which is
absorbed, the device being either (1) a water cell or (2) a independent of the rest of the apparatus so that the tank shall be
special heat-absorbing glass filter. The water cell shall be made free from vibration caused by moving the shelf. Care shall be
from 76-mm [3-in.] outside diameter seamless brass tubing, taken that the shelf shall be level at all points of elevation and
3-mm [1⁄8-in.] thick wall, 102-mm [4 in.] in length with glass that the tank shall be normal to the shelf. The distance between
windows sealed in the ends. The cell shall contain a hole for the tank and the edges of the opening in the shelf shall vary not
filling with distilled water. The hole shall be sealed with a more than 0.4 mm [1⁄64 in.] between the “30–50” and “0”
metal plug. The cell, when mounted on the movable shelf, may positions. The level of the light beam with reference to the
have the plug in either the top or bottom position. The surface of the suspension shall be indicated by a pointer which
heat-absorbing device shall be so arranged that essentially all will travel along a scale mounted on the cabinet. The zero of
rays of light entering the sedimentation tank shall first pass the scale shall indicate that position at which the center lines of
through the heat-absorbing device. the slots for the light beam are at the same elevation as the
4.2.3 Retarding Filter—A light-retarding glass or other
surface of the liquid in the tank when filled to the 335-mL
device shall be provided that will reduce the intensity of light
level. The lines on the scale to be marked 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25,
from that corresponding to 100 µA to a reading of 20 to 30 µA.
and 30–50, shall be located at distances from the zero mark
The light intensity shall be uniformly retarded over the entire
equal to suspension depth values, h, in Table 2. The scale, when
area of that portion of the cell which is exposed to light during
compared with a standard scale accurate to within 0.1 mm at all
a test. The retarding filter shall be mounted in a carrier on the
shield and shall be capable of being swung out of the light path points, shall not show a deviation at any point greater than 0.25
by means of a handle. mm and shall indicate the positions at which the pointer should
4.2.4 Sedimentation Tank—The sedimentation tank shall be be located when turbidity readings for these values of h are
either (1) constructed of 5 to 6-mm [3⁄16 to 1⁄4-in.] plate glass or taken. The interior of the turbidimeter cabinet and the exterior
borosilicate glass cemented or sealed together to form a surfaces of the shelf, the parabolic reflector, the heat absorbing
rectangular tank, or (2) a molded glass tank having walls device, the shield, and the photoelectric cell hood shall be
approximately 5-mm [3⁄16 in.] thick with plane surfaces. The painted with a dull flat black paint.
inside dimensions of the rectangular tank shall be 51 mm by 38 NOTE 1—The requirement of the 0 to 50 markings on the scale shall
mm by 203 mm [2 in. by 11⁄2 in. by 8 in.] in height. The apply only to new Wagner Turbidimeters and not to equipment in use
permissible variation on the inside dimensions of the tank shall which meets the other requirements of this method.
be 62.5 mm [0.1 in.] in length and 60.76 mm [0.03 in.] in
width. The 51-mm faces of the tank shall be equidistant within 4.3 Microammeters:
0.25 mm [0.1 in.] at all points. A mark shall be placed on the 4.3.1 D’Arsonval-Type Microammeters shall have a range
side of the tank to indicate a volumetric content of 335 mL, from 0 to 50 µA and shall be readable to 0.1 µA. New
which is the level to which the tank will be filled in a test. A microammeters shall be accurate to 60.5 % of full scale value
tank filled to the mark with clear kerosine and placed in the at any part of the scale value at any part of the scale at 25 °C
turbidimeter light beam shall yield uniform microammeter [77 °F]. For microammeters, in use, the accuracy shall be the
readings, within 60.1 µA, for the entire usable portion of the same as for new instruments except that the accuracy at 40 and
tank. 50 µA shall be 61 % of full scale. The internal resistance of the

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 C115 – 10

FIG. 2 Dimensional Details of Turbidimeter Fineness Test Apparatus (see Table 1)

TABLE 1 Turbidimeter Apparatus Dimensions (see Fig. 1)

Letter mm in. Letter mm in.
A 445 171⁄2 T 51 2
B 438 171⁄4 U 22.2 7⁄ 8

C 381 15 V 34.9 13⁄8

D 105 41⁄8 W 13 1⁄ 2

E 3.0 1⁄ 8 X 38 11⁄2
F 28.6 11⁄8 Y 15.9 5⁄ 8

G 85.7 33⁄8 Z 38 6 0.76 11⁄2 6 0.03

H 33.3 15⁄16 AA 51 6 2.5 2 6 0.10
I 102 4 AB 267 101⁄2
J 39.7 19⁄16 AC ... 5⁄ 8 A

K 55.6 23⁄16 AD ... 11A

L 65.1 29⁄16 AE 39.7 19⁄16
M 28.6 11⁄8 AF 55.6 23⁄16
N 3.0 1⁄ 8 AG 66.7 25⁄8
O 51 2 AH 203 8
P 51 2 AI 23.6 0.93
Q 3.0 1⁄ 8 AJ 1.38A 3 1⁄ 2 A
R 61.1 213⁄32 AK cmA in.A
S 69.8 23⁄4
A
These are pure numbers such as parts of a thread designation and numbers of links per unit; consequently, they do not correspond with the column titles.

microammeter shall be between 50 and 150 V . The microam- not affect the linearity of readings at the light intensity levels encountered
meter shall not be mounted upon a working surface containing in a Wagner turbidimetric determination of fineness.
or consisting of iron or steel, or near other magnetic influence. 4.4 Source of Current—A 6-V automobile starting and
4.3.2 Digital Microammeter: lighting storage battery or a source of constant emf shall be
NOTE 2—A meter with a range of 199.9 µA is satisfactory for use and used for supplying current to the lamp.
enables the operator to read the theoretical I0 directly without supplemen- 4.5 Sieve—The sieve shall conform to the requirements of
tary devices. The high internal resistance of the digital microammeter does Test Method C430.

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 C115 – 10
TABLE 2 Values of h, d, and h/d2 to be Used in Calibration of the 7. Calibration
Turbidimeter Apparatus
7.1 Calibration of Turbidimeter—Calibrate the turbidimeter
Particle Depth of h/d 2
Diameter, d, µm Suspension, h, cm apparatus in accordance with the following procedure:
7.1.1 Calibration of Buret Scale:
50 15 0.00600
45 15 0.00741 7.1.1.1 For calibration of the buret scale use a kerosine
40 15 0.00938 having a known viscosity and density for the temperature at
35 15 0.01224
30 15 0.01667
which the calibration is to be made. Density and viscosity of
25 13.1 0.0210 the kerosine should be determined. Calculate the times of flow
20 10 0.0250 from the buret that correspond to the times of settling for the
15 6.6 0.0293
10 3.3 0.0330
different sized particles, from the following equation:
7.5 2.1 0.0373 t 5 [1,837,000h/~r1 2 r2!# 3 ~h/d2! (1)

where:
4.6 Stirring Apparatus—The stirring apparatus shall consist t = time of settling, or time of flow, s,
of either (1) a cylindrical brush, 19 mm [3⁄4 in.] in diameter and h = viscosity of kerosine at the temperature of calibra-
about 45 mm [13⁄4 in.] in length, with an end approximately tion, P,
fitting the contour of the bottom of a 22-mm [7⁄8-in.] diameter r1 = density of cement particles, Mg/m3(g/cm3) = 3.15 for
test tube, or (2) any other stirring device that will be equally portland cement (Note 4),
efficient in dispersion as measured by specific surface deter- r2 = density of kerosine, Mg/m3 at the temperature of
minations on a standard sample. The stirring apparatus shall calibration,
rotate at a speed of approximately 3500 r/min. h = depth of suspension to level of light, cm, and
4.7 Timing Buret—The time of settling for the different- d = diameter of particle, µm.
sized particles shall be obtained by use of a buret from which Values of h/d2 are given in Table 2.
kerosine is allowed to flow. The buret shall consist of a glass 7.1.1.2 Fill the buret with kerosine at the calibrating tem-
tube having a capillary tube fused into the lower end. The perature, start a timing clock at the instant the kerosine in the
upper end of the large tube shall be flared to serve as a funnel buret drains past the zero line, and mark on the buret the levels
for introducing kerosine into the tube. The buret shall conform reached by the draining kerosine for each of the time intervals,
to the limiting dimensions given in Table 3. The graduation t, calculated as described above. At these marks, etch perma-
lines on the buret shall be complete circles. A filter made of nent lines and numbers on the buret indicating the correspond-
45-µm (No. 325) wire cloth shall be used with the timing buret ing diameters (Note 5). The construction and the graduation of
and a cover shall be placed over the top of the buret when it is the buret shall be such that at the temperature of calibration the
not in use. time required for the kerosine to pass the permanent lines of the
4.8 Weights and Weighing Devices, shall conform to the buret agrees with the calculated time of settling within 1
requirements of Methods C114. percent, except that the permissible variation shall be not less
than 1 s.
5. Materials NOTE 4—The density of portland cement does not vary greatly and in
5.1 Suspending Liquid—Clear white kerosine shall be used this work it is considered constant at 3.15. A variation of 0.15 from this
with the turbidimeter apparatus. The kerosine shall not be value when substituted in Stokes’ law gives a variation of 2.5 % in the
reused. diameter of the particle measured.
NOTE 5—By using the calibrated buret the apparatus may be used
6. Test Specimen or Sample within the normal range of room temperatures without further correction,
the change in rate of flow of the kerosine from the buret automatically
6.1 Size of Test Sample—Select the size of the sample of compensating for change in viscosity of the suspension due to tempera-
cement for test so that the initial microammeter reading is ture. The temperature of the kerosine in the buret and that of the
between 12 and 20 µA. suspension should be kept the same within 0.5 °C [1 °F]. This condition
will ordinarily exist if the supply of kerosine is kept in the same room as
NOTE 3—The following approximations will be helpful in many in- the apparatus.
stances in selecting the size of sample: 0.25 g for normal fineness cements Care must be taken to ascertain that only clean kerosine is used in the
and 0.20 g for high fineness cements. buret, and, in addition, the capillary should be examined frequently to
make sure that no small pieces of lint or other foreign material have
TABLE 3 Buret DimensionsA become lodged in it.
Permissible 7.1.2 Calibration of No. 325 (45-µm) Sieve—Calibration
Dimension,
Variation,
cm
cm shall be made in accordance with Method C430, basing the
percentage sieve correction on the difference between the test
Length of large tube 38 64
Inside diameter of large tube 1.9 60.2 residue obtained and the assigned residue value indicated by
Length of capillary 17.5 62.5 the electroformed sheet sieve fineness specified for the stan-
Diameter of capillary 0.09 60.005
Top of buret to zero line 7 61
dard sample, expressed as a percentage of the test residue.
A
7.1.3 Determination of the Proper Light Intensity, Ir:
Since glass tubing of desired dimensions is not always obtainable, the wide
permissible variations listed above allow selection of dimensions to produce a 7.1.3.1 Fill the sedimentation tank to the mark with clear
buret having a duration of flow which will permit calibration as described in 7.1.1. kerosine.

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 C115 – 10
7.1.3.2 For a turbidimeter equipped with a digital-type Material No. 114.4 Determine the value of K in the specific
microammeter with a range of 199.9 µA, place the sedimenta- surface equation in 10.1.1 by dividing the assigned specific
tion tank containing clear kerosine against the guides of the surface of the standard sample by the value obtained for the
tank support in the turbidimeter. Set the light intensity so that expression in brackets [ ]. Repeat this calibration procedure
the microammeter reads 100.0 µA. Readjust the light intensity twice more. Use the average of the three results (Note 8)
until equilibrium is established at this reading. Place the light obtained for the value of K during calibration in specific
retarding filter in the path of the light beam. When equilibrium surface equation in 10.1.1.
is established, record this meter reading as Ir. This meter 7.1.5 Frequency of Calibration—The turbidimeter appara-
reading becomes the reference value for the intensity of the tus shall have been calibrated within 6 months prior to testing
light. Meter readings are also taken at the beginning and end of a cement sample.
each test through the light retarding filter alone to check the NOTE 8—The three individual values of K determined during calibra-
requirements of 8.3.8. tion should not vary from the average value by more than 1.5 %.
7.1.3.3 For a turbidimeter equipped with a D’Arsonval-type
microammeter, place the sedimentation tank containing clear 8. Procedure
kerosine against the guides of the turbidimeter. Set the light 8.1 Sieve Determination—Make a 45-µm (No. 325) sieve
intensity so that the microammeter reads 50.0 µA with the light determination on a 1-g sample of cement in accordance with
retarding filter removed from the light path. Readjust the light the procedure stated in Test Method C430. Record the percent-
intensity until equilibrium is established at this reading. Con- age (corrected) of cement passing the sieve as r.
nect resistors or resistor combinations as indicated in Fig. 1 so 8.2 Preparation of the Suspension:
that the meter reading is reduced to an equilibrium value 8.2.1 Dispersion of the Sample—Place the cement sample
between 23.0 and 25.0 µA. Increase the light intensity until the in a test tube together with 10 to 15 mL of kerosine and 5 drops
equilibrium light reading obtained between 23.0 and 25.0 µA is of dispersing agent—oleic acid or aged linseed oil (Note 9).
exactly doubled. Readjust the light intensity until the equilib- Stir the mixture for 1 min, using the apparatus described in 4.6,
rium is established at this doubled meter reading level. Place and then transfer to the sedimentation tank. Wash the stirring
the light-retarding filter in the path of the light beam. Remove apparatus and the tube with clear kerosine, which is then added
the resistors from the meter circuit. When equilibrium is together with additional clear kerosine until the total volume of
established, record this meter reading as Ir. This becomes the the suspension in the tank is 335 mL (Note 10).
reference value for the intensity of the light. Adjust the
rheostats at the beginning of each test to give this meter reading NOTE 9—The oleic acid, if used, shall be of USP grade. The aged
linseed oil, if used, shall have a density in the range from 0.948 to 0.953
through the filter plus the tank of clear kerosine. This meter Mg/m3 (g/cm3). These dispersing agents have slight or no effect on the
reading corresponds to a meter reading of 100.0 µA through the viscosity of the kerosine. Each of these dispersing agents changes with age
tank containing clear kerosine with the light filter removed or with exposure to heat and light—hence should be kept in well-
from the light path. Meter readings are also taken at the stoppered, dark-glass bottles. Dropping bottles should be emptied, thor-
beginning and at the end of each test through the light retarding oughly cleaned, dried, and refilled periodically. Where conditions are such
filter alone to check the requirements of 8.3.8. that poor dispersion is obtained with oleic acid or when foaming of the
suspension occurs (possibly due to traces of water in the kerosine) aged
NOTE 6—A half-watt carbon resistor preferably with 5 % tolerance linseed oil shall be used as the dispersing agent. The same dispersing agent
limits can be used to obtain the desired meter readings. The shunt resistor shall be used for both the instrument calibration and the fineness
or resistor combination as shown in Fig. 1 shall have a resistance value determination.
between 85 and 100 % of the value of the internal resistance of the meter NOTE 10—Since it is important that the level of the liquid in the tank
as printed on the card in the meter cover. The series resistor shall have a coincide with the zero mark on the scale of the instrument (see 4.2.7), it
resistance value equal to the difference between the internal resistance of is correspondingly important that the volume of the suspension be close to
the meter and the calculated resistance of the meter and shunt combina- 335 mL, as specified. This may be accomplished by the use of a flask,
tion. calibrated to deliver 335 mL, from which all the kerosine used in making
NOTE 7—A less exact but still acceptable procedure for determining a up a suspension is taken; or a point gage may be used, consisting
meter setting that corresponds to a current of 100.0 µA through the meter essentially of a flat plate approximately 50 by 63 mm [2 by 21⁄2 in.], to the
with the light filter removed from the light path can be achieved by center of which is attached vertically a metal pin of such length that, when
eliminating the series resistor in the meter circuit. The internal resistance the plate is placed in position on top of the tank, the point of the pin is at
of the photocell is sufficiently large to cause only a minor error of the 335-mL level. Either of these methods should ensure the position of
approximately 0.5 % in the desired setting when the series resistor is the liquid level within a few tenths of a millimetre.
omitted from the circuit.
8.2.2 Agitation of the Suspension—Just before placing the
7.1.3.4 Example—If the internal resistance of the meter is tank in the path of the light beam, agitate the contents to effect
90 V, and the meter is shunted with a 470-V resistor in parallel a uniformity of the suspension. Cover the tank with a ground-
with a 100 V resistor, the combined resistance of the meter and glass cover and oscillate 180° about a horizontal axis through
shunts would be reduced to 43 V. This would reduce the meter the center of the tank, turning the tank upside down and back
reading from 50.0 µA to a calculated value of 23.9 µA. again to its original upright position approximately once each
7.1.4 Determination of the Value of K in the Specific Surface second for about 1 min (Note 11). Take care to prevent loss of
Equation—Using the regular procedure in 8.1-8.3; and with the
light adjusted in accordance with the appropriate procedure in
7.1.3, make a specific surface determination on the current lot 4
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 C115 – 10
kerosine (Note 12). The suspension is then ready to place in its TABLE 4 Illustrative Form for Recording Turbidimeter Test Data
proper position in the path of the light beam. and Calculation of Specific Surface

NOTE 11—The procedure described for oscillating the suspension shall NOTE—Values shown are for purpose of illustration only.
be carefully followed. The procedure used in shaking a cocktail shall not Sample identification sample X
be employed. Passing 45-µm (No. 325) sieve, r, corrected, T 90.4
Calibration factor, K 33.9
NOTE 12—The lid to the tank shall fit so that no kerosine drains down
Meter reading through filter alone, µA:
the outside faces of the tank. The faces of the glass tank shall be clean Before test 17.5
when the suspension is added, and care shall be taken to avoid the After test 17.5
necessity of cleaning the faces until the determination is complete. Weight of sample tested, g 0.25
8.3 Operation of Turbidimeter—Operate the turbidimeter Particle
I, µA log I
Size, µm
apparatus in accordance with the following procedure:
8.3.1 With retarding filter and sedimentation tank contain- 50 17.3 ... 1.238A
45 17.4 1.241
ing approximately 100 mL of clear kerosine in the light path, 40 17.6 1.246
adjust the light to the intensity, Ir, as determined in 7.1.3 by 35 17.9 1.253
taking repeated readings at 1-min intervals until an unchanging 30 18.4 1.265
25 19.1 1.281
value indicates that the lamp and the photoelectric cell are in 20 20.1 1.303
equilibrium. Remove the tank, check, and record the intensity 15 21.6 1.334
of the lamp. 10 23.9 1.378
7.5 25.6 ... 1.408A
NOTE 13—To protect the microammeter, the lamp shall be turned on 0.75 3 1.408 = 1.056
only with a suspension or the retarding filter in position to reduce the light 1.500
Sum = 12.857
intensity to a value within the range of the microammeter. A freshly
9.5 3 1.238 = 11.761
charged storage battery should be momentarily short-circuited to reduce Difference = 1.096
the voltage to constant value. If the microammeter indication continues to S = (33.9 3 90.4 3 0.762)/1.096 = 2131 cm2/g
fluctuate, look for loose connections in the lamp and photoelectric cell 2 2
(Round to 2130 cm /g or 213 m /kg)
circuits, see that the rheostat contacts are clean, and make certain that the A
For convenience in calculation, log I50 and log I7.5 are recorded in a separate
lamp, socket, and reflector are rigidly fixed in their mounting. column.
8.3.2 Weigh the sample of cement in the appropriate amount
and record the weight to the nearest 0.0002 g. Prepare a
suspension in accordance with 8.2.
8.3.3 Place the shelf level pointer at the 30–50 µm position. F r~2 2 log I50!
S 5 K 1.5 1 0.75 log I 1 log I 1 log I
7.5 10 15
8.3.4 Fill the buret to the predetermined height with kero-
sine from the same lot and at the same temperature as the
... 1 log I45 – 9.5 log I50 G (2)

kerosine used in the suspension, and start oscillation of the tank

containing the suspension in accordance with 8.2.2. Continue where:
the oscillation until the kerosine drains to the zero line on the S = specific surface of the sample, m2/kg,
buret; then stop the agitation. Immediately place the tank in K = calibration factor as determined in 7.1.4
position in the path of the light beam. r = corrected weight percent of sample passing the 45-µm
8.3.5 Immediately remove the retarding filter from the light (No. 325) sieve (Note 14), and I7.5, I10, I15...,
path and close the cabinet door. I50 = microammeter readings, µA, that correspond to
8.3.6 Read the microammeter to the nearest 0.1 µA at the the particle diameters 7.5, 10, 15 ···, 50 µm.
instant the kerosine in the buret drains past marks 50, 45, 40,
35, and 30. NOTE 14—The value of K as determined in 7.1.3 applies only to a
8.3.7 Raise the shelf successively to the marks 25, 20, 15, material
3
having the density of portland cement (approximately 3.15
Mg/m or g/cm3). For any other material, the corresponding value must be
10, and 7.5 on the pointer scale, reading the microammeter at calculated for this factor which, in the derivation of the formula, varies
each position as the kerosine drains past the corresponding inversely as the density of the particles (g/cm3).
mark on the buret.
8.3.8 Lower the shelf to the 30–50 µm position. Replace the 10.1.2 To calculate the specific surface values in square
filter in the path of the light beam, remove the tank, and check metres per kilogram, multiply the surface area in cm2/g by the
the intensity of the lamp. If the microammeter indication has factor of 0.1.
shifted more than 0.3 µA from the initial setting through the 10.1.3 Round values in cm2/g to the nearest 10 units (in
2
filter alone, the test must be repeated. m /kg to the nearest unit).
9. Data Recording 10.2 Specific Surface From First Turbidity Reading I50—
This test method may be used for successive determinations
9.1 The form shown in Table 4 is suggested for the from the same plant, provided that the same size test samples
recording of turbidimeter data and for the calculation of are used and that there is no great change in fineness, color, or
specific surface. other properties of the cement. Under these conditions the
10. Calculation specific surface of a sample may be calculated from the first
10.1 Calculation of Specific Surface: turbidity reading, I50, by using the following equation:
10.1.1 Calculate the turbimetric specific surface as follows: S 5 c~2 2 log I50! (3)

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 C115 – 10

where: Therefore, results of two properly conducted tests by the same

S = specific surface of the sample, m2/kg, operator, on the same sample should not differ by more than
I50 = microammeter reading corresponding to particle di- 7.3 % (Note 13) of their average.
ameter of 50 µm, and 11.2 Multilaboratory Precision—The multilaboratory coef-
c = transmittancy constant for the particular plant. ficient of variation has been found to be 3.8 % (Note 16).
NOTE 15—The transmittancy constant, c, may be evaluated by substi- Therefore, results of two different laboratories on identical
tuting in the above equation known values of S and 2 − log I50 as samples of a material should not differ from each other by more
determined from a complete turbidimeter test. The average of not less than than 10.6 % (Note 16) of their average.
five values of c, as determined from complete tests, should be used in the
above equation. NOTE 16—These numbers represent, respectively, the (D1S %) and
10.3 If fineness of a sample as determined in accordance (D2S %) limits as described in Practice C670.
with 10.2 fails to conform with the specification requirements 11.3 Since there is no accepted reference material suitable
for fineness, a retest shall be made using the complete for determining any bias that may be associated with this test
procedure in 8.3, 9.1, and 10.1. method, no statement on bias is being made.
11. Precision and Bias
12. Keywords
11.1 Single-Operator Precision—The single-operator coef-
ficient of variation has been found to be 2.6 % (Note 16). 12.1 fineness; portland cement; turbidimeter; Wagner

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. CALCULATION OF PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION

X1.1 For research or comparative purposes particle-size tion of particle size distribution.
distributions to a minimum of 7.5 µm may be of value.
X1.2 Calculate the particle size distribution as follows:
The form shown in Table X1.1 is suggested for the calcula-

TABLE X1.1 Illustrative Form for Calculation of Particle Size Distribution from Recorded Turbimetric Test Data
Average Weight, %
Particle d1 3
I,µ A logI Difference Particle
Size, µm Difference Fractional Cumulative
Size, d1
50 17.3 1.238 0.003 47.5 .143 2.34 90.4
45 17.4 1.241 0.005 42.5 .213 3.49 88.1
40 17.6 1.246 0.007 37.5 .263 4.31 84.6
35 17.9 1.253 0.012 32.5 .390 6.39 80.3
30 18.4 1.265 0.016 27.5 .440 7.21 73.9
25 19.1 1.281 0.022 22.5 .495 8.11 66.7
20 20.1 1.303 0.031 17.5 .543 8.89 58.6
15 21.6 1.334 0.044 12.5 .550 9.01 49.7
10 23.9 1.378 0.030 8.75 .263 4.31 40.7
7.5 25.6 1.408 0.592 3.75 2.220 36.36 36.4
(0) (100.0) (2.000) ...
5.520
F = r/Sum (d1 3 diff) = 90.4/5.520 = 16.377
% fraction = F(d1 3 diff)

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 C115 – 10
SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C01 has identified the location of selected changes to this test method since the last issue, , that
may impact the use of this test method. (Approved February 1, 2010)

(1) Revised the standard as a dual-units test method.

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