Continuing Support of Cement Manufacturing

Summary

Cement manufacturers and their customers rely on the NIST Portland cement SRMs for laboratory qualification under ASTM International C 114-07 Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement. Consequently, the demand for NIST cement Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) is strong year after year. As these SRMs go out of stock, they are replaced with appropriate materials. Under this project, support includes consultation and collaboration with the NIST Building and Fire Research Laboratory, the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory, and the Construction Technologies Laboratory of the Portland Cement Association.

Description

SRM 114r Portland Cement Fineness Standard

Credit: Lane Sander

NIST SRMs for Portland cement and related materials are the de facto world standards for validation of analytical methods for testing of cement for compliance with manufacturing specifications and for qualification of laboratories throughout the supply chain, including cement plants, construction contractors, and government departments of transportation. The goals of this program are to:

• Maintain the availability and increase the utility of certified reference materials for cement and related materials       
• Collaborate with the private sector through standards development organizations and industry associations   
• Make use of multiple methods of analysis at NIST and collaborating laboratories
• Contribute to development of new and improved standard methods of test.

Major Accomplishments

During the past two years, the renewal of the SRM 1880a series began again and will occur over the next four years. SRM 1880b Portland Cement value assignment activities are finished, and this material will be available soon.

 

Cement manufacturing facility

Credit: AdobeStock

Additional Technical Details

Design of materials for new SRMs is accomplished in cooperation with materials and analysis experts from industry. Specifications for composition, homogeneity, and quantity are based on current and projected industry needs. Value-assignment projects are designed to include high-performance analytical methods at NIST, state-of-the-art laboratory methods in industry, and classical chemistry methods where available and appropriate.

Associated Products

The following SRMs are available or will be soon. Click on the SRM number to be transferred to a page from which you can access the Certificates of Analysis. 

• SRMs 634a, 1881a through 1889a Portland Cement. Values are assigned for compounds, elements, and properties specified in ASTM C 114 Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement 

• SRM 1880b Portland Cement. Values are assigned for compounds, elements, and properties specified in ASTM C 114 Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement 

• SRM 2696 Silica Fume. Values are assigned for compounds, elements, and properties specified in ASTM ASTM C 1240-03a, Standard Specification for Silica Fume Used in Cementitious Mixtures and AASHTO M307-03, Standard Specification for Use of Silica Fume as a Mineral Admixture in Hydraulic Cement Concrete, Mortar, and Grout