Analysis of the ASTM Round-Robin Test on Particle Size Distribution of Portland Cement: Phase 1.
Analysis of the ASTM Round-Robin Test on Particle Size
Distribution of Portland Cement: Phase 1.
(868 K)
Ferraris, C. F.; Hackley, V. A.; Aviles, A. I.;
Buchanan, C. E., Jr.
NISTIR 6883; 55 p. May 2002.
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Order number: PB2002-105725
Keywords:
cements; particle size; size distribution; particle size
distribution; reference material; lasers; laser
diffraction
Abstract:
Particle size distribution (PSD) is an essential
property of cement. The only standard method to measure
the PSD of cement, namely ASTM C115, is limited in
scope; this standard describes a method for determining
"fineness" with a lower size detection limit of 7.5
{mu}m. As there is no standard procedure covering the
whole range of cement PSD, the implementation of
different measurement methods varies widely within the
industry. In general, the round-robin tests summarized
here have demonstrated the high variability between
participants using instruments based on the same
underlying principles. ASTM committee C01.25.01
sponsored a round-robin test to measure the PSD of
cement. The aim of this report is to analyze the data
generated during those tests and to summarize the
various approaches available to measure the PSD of
cement. The analysis of the data is conducted in two
parts. In the first part, an attempt is made to
establish a reference distribution using a standard
cement powder (SRM 114p). This is followed up by a
comparison of the round-robin data in order to initiate
discussion on developing a standard test method for
cement PSD to be submitted for ASTM consideration. The
report provides all the raw data collected during the
round-robin tests, and the results of a statiscial
analysis of the collected data.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899