This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: C156 − 17

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 U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope* of Hydraulic Cement

1.1 This test method covers laboratory determination of the C305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement
ability of liquid membrane-forming compounds for curing Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
concrete to reduce moisture loss from mortar specimens during C778 Specification for Standard Sand
the early hardening period as a measure of their applicability D1475 Test Method For Density of Liquid Coatings, Inks,
for curing concrete. and Related Products
D1653 Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Or-
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as ganic Coating Films
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this D2369 Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings
standard. E178 Practice for Dealing With Outlying Observations
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
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- 3.1 The moisture retaining ability of a product as deter-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- mined by this test method is used to assess the suitability of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.(Warning—Fresh materials for contributing to an appropriate curing environment
hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause for concrete. The laboratory test method is used both in
chemical burns to skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.)2 formulating and in specifying or qualifying curing products.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- This test method gives the user a measure of the ability of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- tested curing materials to impede the escape of water from a
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the hydraulic cement mortar. Since it is desirable to retain water in
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- fresh concrete to promote the hydration process, failure of the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical product to minimize the escape of water may lead to loss of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 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-
men when the curing product is applied, and the uniformity and
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
quantity of application of the curing membrane.
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.22 on Materials Applied to New Concrete Surfaces. 4. Apparatus
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2017. Published September 2017. Originally
approved in 1940. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as C156 – 11. DOI: 4.1 Mechanical Mortar Mixer, as described in Practice
10.1520/C0156-17. C305, or a larger size mixture operating on the same principle.
2
Section on Safety Precautions, Manual of Aggregate and Concrete Testing,
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02. 4.2 Flow Table, as described in Specification C230/C230M.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.3 Molds shall be made of metal, glass, hard rubber, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on plastic, and shall be watertight and rigidly constructed to
the ASTM website. prevent distortion during molding of the specimens or handling

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

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 C156 − 17
of the mold containing fresh mortar. They shall have a 5.3 Sealing Compound, that will not be affected by the
minimum surface area of 12000 mm2, and a minimum depth of curing material and which effectively seals against moisture
19 mm. The top surface shall be round, square, or rectangular loss between the boundary of the specimen and the edge of the
with length not more than twice the width. The top of the mold mold.
shall have a rim to provide a firm level surface to support the NOTE 3—Tissue embedding wax, readily available from scientific
wood float and to facilitate the grooving and sealing steps of supply houses, is a convenient and reliable sealant.
the procedure. The rim shall be parallel with the bottom surface
of the mold. 6. Conditioning
NOTE 1—Take care to avoid use of an excessive amount of oil, grease, 6.1 The temperature of the room and of all materials when
or mold release compound on molds, particularly along the top rim where used in this test shall be 23 6 2°C unless otherwise specified,
sealing compound will be applied. Use of masking tape on the top rim and the room humidity shall be 50 6 10 %.
during application of release compound to prevent contamination has been
found expedient. 7. Number of Specimens
4.4 Spoon—A stainless steel serving spoon having a bowl 7.1 A set of three or more test specimens shall be made in
75 to 100 mm long and 50 to 75 mm wide for transferring the order to constitute a test of a given curing material.
mortar from the mixing bowl to the mold.
NOTE 4—When more than one set of specimens is to be prepared, each
4.5 Gloves, of rubber or plastic, to be worn while molding set should be handled as a group throughout the preparation to make the
the specimens. elapsed time between molding and application of the curing product as
uniform as possible. This may require mixing the mortar for each set
4.6 Tamper, of a nonabsorptive, nonabrasive material such separately.
as medium-hard rubber or seasoned oak rendered non- 7.2 For determining the quantity of curing compound to be
absorptive by immersion for 15 min in paraffin at 75 to 95°C. applied (MA) calculate the total top surface area of the
The tamper shall be rectangular with a 25 by 50-mm cross specimen, including the seal and the rim of the mold in square
section and it shall be a convenient length (150 to 300 mm). millimetres using appropriate geometric formulae.
4.7 Wood Float, approximately 75 by 280 by 20 mm thick. NOTE 5—The area (A) used in calculating the mass loss per unit area
(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 paint brush to brush 8.1 Proportioning—Determine the sand content of the mor-
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 and a relative humidity of 32 6 2 %. The curing cabinet Method C87. Discard the mix used to determine the proportion
shall be of a design that allows movement of conditioned air of sand to cement.
such that the solvent from the curing compound will be readily
evaporated and eliminated from the system. Air flow over the NOTE 6—The sand:cement ratio required varies with the source of the
cement. A ratio of 2.5:1 is suggested as a starting point. Flow may be
specimens shall be adjusted to provide an evaporation rate of determined on a 3 to 4 kg batch of mortar which is conveniently mixed in
2.0 to 3.4 g/h as measured by the procedure of Annex A1. The the mixer described in Practice C305. The mixture used to establish the
evaporation rate shall initially be measured for each position in sand:cement ratio is discarded because it is thought that the age and
the cabinet in which a specimen will be placed, and shall be mixing history of the mortar affect the final moisture loss results and must
verified annually and whenever any changes are made to the be controlled.
cabinet. The range of evaporation rates for all specimen 8.2 Mixing—Combine the components of the mortar in a
positions in the test cabinet shall be reported. mortar-mixing machine to produce a homogeneous mortar not
more than 6 min from the time the water and the cement are
4.10 Balance, having the capacity to determine the mass of
combined.
a filled specimen mold to the nearest 0.1 g or less.
NOTE 7—A generally effective sequence is to add the cement to all of
4.11 Applicator—For spray application, any apparatus that 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
additional 1 min, and promptly begin molding the specimens.
compound manufacturer.
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. Avoid its application to the top rim
Type I of Specification C150. of the mold to prevent interference with sealing of the edge.
5.2 Graded Standard Sand, conforming to the requirements 9.2 Half fill the mold and spread the mortar with the back of
of Specification C778. the spoon to create a layer of approximately uniform thickness.

2
 C156 − 17
Tamp over the entire surface with one stroke of the 25 by application rate, the total surface area calculated in accordance
50 mm face of the tamper per 1000 mm2 of surface area with 7.2, and the density of the curing compound, Dm. If no
rounded to the nearest integer. Place a second layer of mortar, rate is specified, apply the curing compound at the rate of
sufficient in amount to slightly overfill the mold and tamp in a 5.0 m2/L. The method of application shall be in accordance
similar manner. Using the 25-mm wide by 150 to 300-mm long with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
edge of the tamper, fill the indentations made by the tamping 11.3 Weigh the specimen to the nearest 0.1 g (M1); then
and level the surface by pressing down firmly with a series of uniformly apply the curing compound at the specified rate of
contacts across the entire surface. Strike off the specimen level application. Application shall be made expeditiously to only
with the top of the mold using a wood float with one pass only, one specimen at a time.
in the direction of the long axis of the specimen for rectangular
molds, using a sawing motion of the float. Keep the 75-mm NOTE 10—It is desirable to use a spray booth or a laboratory hood to
face of the float firmly in contact with the mortar and edges of control overspray and solvent fumes especially for curing compounds that
are sprayed. However, the velocity of air movement in the vicinity of the
the mold so that the float creates a uniformly dense surface free specimen must be kept at a minimum so as to prevent, as much as
of voids and cracks. possible, significant loss of volatiles during spraying and before the final
9.3 Wipe the outside surfaces of the molds clean, and place weighing. Spraying shall be accomplished with the minimum pressure and
flow rate of air with which an acceptable spray pattern can be attained.
the specimens in the curing cabinet maintained at the condi-
tions specified in 4.9. The specimens shall be level and not 11.4 Determine the proper coverage by comparing the initial
subject to vibration. The spacing between the individual mass of the specimen (M1), before applying the curing
specimens and between the specimens and the side walls of the compound, to the mass after coating. The final mass shall equal
cabinet shall be between 50 and 175 mm. Within these limits the initial mass of the specimen plus the predetermined mass of
the spacing shall be the same for all specimens. Use dummy the curing compound to be applied. This will necessitate
specimens to fill any empty spaces in the cabinet. frequent weighing of the specimen during application as full
coverage is approached. In the case of brush application,
10. Surface Preparation and Edge Sealing proper coverage may be determined by weighing the container,
10.1 Remove the specimens from the cabinet upon disap- brush, and curing compound before and after application of the
pearance of the surface water and lightly brush the surface compound to the specimen. Total time for application to each
using just sufficient force to remove the laitance and glaze specimen shall not exceed 2 min. Weigh to the nearest 0.1 g
without scarifying the mortar surface. If surface water appears (M2). If the final amount of curing compound applied differs
after brushing, return the specimen to the cabinet but immedi- from the calculated amount for the specified coverage by more
ately remove the specimen upon the disappearance of the than 10 %, the specimen shall be discarded.
surface water brought to the surface by the brushing operation, NOTE 11—In previous versions of this test method, coverage was
and brush again. The mortar shall be free of surface water but determined by weighing the application equipment and the curing
shall not be dry below the surface. The proper surface 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- 11.5 Return the specimens to the cabinet without delay.
mined by gently rubbing an area with the finger tip.
NOTE 12—Unusual loss caused by a leaking mold or a faulty seal may
NOTE 8—The exposure time in the cabinet and the initial moisture loss be detected by weighing the specimens 3 to 4 h after application of the
that will result in the proper surface condition is characteristic of the curing material. If one specimen has lost considerably more than the
curing cabinet used and other testing conditions related to the laboratory others, this specimen is probably faulty. If only three specimens are being
performing the test. Uniformity of test surface conditions may be tested, consider the test invalid (see 14.4).
maintained by setting an expected exposure time or initial moisture loss.
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
Compounds
10.2 Form a V-shaped groove approximately 3 mm deep
and not more than 3 mm wide between the edge of the mortar 12.1 Determine the proportion of non-volatile matter in the
specimen and the mold. Fill the groove with the sealing curing compound (NV) in accordance with Test Method
compound. The sealing compound shall not extend more than D2369.
6 mm 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” then removed, and weighed (M3). Other test times may be
ground on the end of a spatula or knife blade have all been reported to be specified by the purchaser.
effective.
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 − 17
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 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 − 17
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 standard since the last issue (C156 – 11)
that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Aug. 1, 2017.)

(1) Revised 1.1. (3) Revised 3.1, 4.6, 9.1, 9.3, 10.2, 11.3, 11.4 and 13.1 to
(2) Revised 1.2 and converted to SI only standard by removing removed subjective text.
informational units.

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