NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.

Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.

Designation: C 91 – 01

Standard Specification for

Masonry Cement1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 91; 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 (e) 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 ment Paste by Gillmore Needles2

1.1 This specification covers three types of masonry cement C 270 Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry3
for use where mortar for masonry is required. C 305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency2
standard. Values in SI units shall be obtained by measurement C 430 Test Method for Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by
in SI units or by appropriate conversion of measurements made the 45-µm (No. 325) Sieve2
in other units, using the Rules for Conversion and Rounding C 511 Specification for Moist Cabinets, Moist Rooms, and
given in IEEE/ASTM SI 10. Water Storage Tanks Used in the Testing of Hydraulic
1.3 The text of this standard refers to notes and footnotes Cements and Concretes2
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes C 778 Specification for Standard Sand2
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered IEEE/ASTM SI 10 Standard for Use of the International
as requirements of the standard. System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System4
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to
iTeh Standards
3. Terminology
Sections 17 and 18 of this specification. This standard does not
3.1 Definitions:
purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated

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3.1.1 masonry cement—a hydraulic cement, primarily used
with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard
to establish appropriate safety and health practices and in masonry and plastering construction, consisting of a mixture
of portland or blended hydraulic cement and plasticizing
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to
use. Documentmaterials
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together
(such as limestone, hydrated or hydraulic lime)
with other materials introduced to enhance one or
2. Referenced Documents more properties such as setting time, workability, water reten-
tion, and durability.
2.1 ASTM Standards: ASTM C91-01
C 109/C 109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of 3.1.2 Other terms used in this standard are defined in
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Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or 50-mm Cube Terminology C 219.
Specimens)2 4. Classification
C 151 Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Portland
Cement2 4.1 Type N—For use in preparation of Specification C 270
C 183 Practice for Sampling and the Amount of Testing of Type N mortar without further addition of cements or hydrated
Hydraulic Cement2 lime, and for use in preparation of Specification C 270 Type S
C 185 Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement or Type M mortar when cement is added in accordance with the
Mortar 2 requirements of C 270.
C 187 Test Method for Normal Consistency of Hydraulic 4.2 Type S—For use in preparation of Specification C 270
Cement 2 Type S mortar without further addition of cements or hydrated
C 188 Test Method for Density of Hydraulic Cement 2 lime.
C 219 Terminology Relating to Hydraulic Cement2 4.3 Type M—For use in preparation of Specification C 270
C 230 Specification for Flow Table for Use in Tests of Type M mortar without further addition of cements or hydrated
Hydraulic Cement2 lime.
C 266 Test Method for Time of Setting of Hydraulic Ce- 5. Physical Properties
5.1 Masonry cement shall conform to the applicable re-
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C01 on quirements prescribed in Table 1 for its classification.
Cement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C01.11 on Masonry
Cement.
Current edition approved Aug. 10, 2001. Published October 2001. Originally
3
published as C 91 – 32 T. Last previous edition C 91 – 99. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.05.
2 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.

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

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 NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.

C 91
TABLE 1 Physical Requirements
Masonry Cement Type N S M
Fineness, residue on a 45-µm (No. 325) sieve, max, % 24 24 24
Autoclave expansion, max, % 1.0 1.0 1.0
Time of setting, Gillmore method:
Initial set, minutes, not less than 120 90 90
Final set, minutes, not more than 1440 1440 1440
Compressive strength (average of 3 cubes):
The compressive strength of mortar cubes, composed of 1
part cement and 3 parts blended sand (half graded standard
sand, and half standard 20–30 sand) by volume, prepared and
tested in accordance with this specification shall be equal to or
higher than the values specified for the ages indicated below:
7 days, MPa (psi) 3.4 (500) 9.0 (1300) 12.4 (1800)
28 days, MPa (psi) 6.2 (900) 14.5 (2100) 20.0 (2900)
Air content of mortar, prepared and tested in accordance with
requirements of this specification:
Min, volume % 8 8 8
Max, volume % 21 19 19
Water retention value, min, % of original flow 70 70 70

6. Sampling Machine, as described in Test Method C 109/C 109 M.

6.1 The masonry cement shall be sampled in accordance 13.2 Flow Table, conforming to the requirements prescribed
with Practice C 183. in Specification C 230.
13.3 Mixing Apparatus, conforming to the requirements
7. Temperature and Humidity prescribed in Practice C 305.
7.1 The temperature and relative humidity of the air in the 13.4 Measure, Straightedge, Tamper, Tapping Stick, and
Spoon, conforming to the requirements given in Test Method
iTeh Standards
vicinity of the mixing slab and dry materials, molds, base
plates, and mixing bowl shall conform to the requirements of C 185.
Test Method C 109/C 109M. 13.5 Specimen (Cube) Molds—Molds shall be prepared in

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7.2 The moist cabinet or moist room shall conform to the
requirements of Specification C 511.
accordance with Test Method C 109/C 109 M.

14. Blended Sand

8. Fineness
Documentgraded
8.1 Determine the residue on the 45-µm (No. 325) sieve in
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14.1 The sand shall be a blend of equal parts by weight of
standard sand and standard 20–30 sand conforming to
accordance with Test Method C 430. Specification C 778.
ASTM C91-01
9. Normal Consistency 15. Preparation of Mortar
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9.1 Determine normal consistency by the Vicat apparatus in 15.1 Proportions for Mortar—Mortar for air entrainment,
accordance with Test Method C 187. compressive strength, and water retention tests shall be pro-
10. Autoclave Expansion portioned to contain 1620 g of sand and a mass of cement, in
grams, in accordance with Table 2. The sand shall consist of
10.1 Determine autoclave expansion in accordance with 810 g of graded standard sand and 810 g of 20–30 standard
Test Method C 151. After molding, store the bars in the moist sand (Note 1). The quantity of water, measured in millilitres
cabinet or room for 48 h 6 30 min before removal from the shall be such as to produce a flow of 110 6 5 as determined by
molds for measurement and testing in the autoclave. Calculate Test Method C 109/C 109M.
the difference in length of the test specimen before and after
autoclaving to the nearest 0.01 % of the effective gauge length NOTE 1—Historically, field-mixed mortar has been proportioned by
and report as the autoclave expansion of the masonry cement. volume measured in increments or fractions of ft3. The comparable whole
SI-unit volume to 1 ft3 is 28 L. The specified mortar proportions
11. Time of Setting approximate the 1:3 nominal proportions by volume, commonly specified
for construction, on the basis of the following assumed mass and volume
11.1 Determine the time of setting by the Gillmore needle relationships:
method in accordance with Test Method C 266. The mass of dry sand in 28 L of loose damp sand is 36 kg.
28 L Type N masonry cement has a mass of 32 kg.
12. Density 28 L Type S masonry cement has a mass of 34 kg.
12.1 Determine the density of the masonry cement in 28 L Type M masonry cement has a mass of 36 kg.
accordance with Test Method C 188, using kerosine as the
liquid. Use the density so determined in the calculation of the TABLE 2 Cement in Laboratory Batch of Mortar
air content of the mortars.
Masonry Cement Type Mass of Cement, g
13. Apparatus for Mortar Tests N 480
S 510
13.1 Weights and Weighing Devices, Seives, Glass Gradu- M 540
ates, Specimen (Cube) Molds, Tamper, Trowel, and Testing

2
 NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.

C 91
For example, the amount of cement needed to provide a 1:3 7-day tests, cover these cubes with a damp cloth until the time
volume proportion of cement to sand using a Type N masonry of testing.
cement is as follows: 17.2.2 The remainder of the testing procedure shall conform
A 5 1620 3 ~C/B! 5 1620 3 ~32/108! 5 480 (1) to Test Method C 109/C 109 M.

where: 18. Water Retention

A = number of grams of cement to be used in the mortar 18.1 Apparatus:
with 1620 g of sand, 18.1.1 Water-Retention Apparatus—For the water-retention
B = 3 3 36 = 108 kg, the mass of dry sand in 84 (or 3 3 test, apparatus essentially the same as those shown in Fig. 1 or
28) L of loose damp sand, and Fig. 2 shall be used. These apparatuses consist of a water
C = mass of Type N masonry cement per 28 L. aspirator or other source of vacuum controlled by a mercury
15.2 Mixing of Mortars—Mix the mortar in accordance relief column or a vacuum regulator with a capacity of not
with Practice C 305. more than 400 mm of mercury and connected by way of a
three-way stopcock to a funnel upon which rests a perforated
16. Air Entrainment dish. The perforated dish shall be made of metal not attacked
16.1 Procedure—If the mortar has the correct flow, use a by masonry mortar. The metal in the base of the dish shall have
separate portion of the mortar for the determination of en- a thickness of 1.7 to 1.9 mm and shall conform to the
trained air. Determine the mass of 400 mL of mortar in requirements given in Fig. 1. The stopcock bore shall have a
accordance with Test Method C 185. 4.0 6 0.5 mm in diameter, and the connecting glass tubing
16.2 Calculation—Calculate the air content of the mortar shall have a minimum inside diameter of 4 mm. A mercury
and report it to the nearest 1 % as follows: manometer, connected as shown in Fig. 1, or a vacuum gauge
D 5 ~W1 1 W2 1 Vw!/@~W1/S1! 1 ~W2/S2! 1 Vw# (2)
capable of reading to at least 70 mm of mercury in 1-mm
increments as shown in Fig. 2, indicates the vacuum. The
A 5 100 2 ~Wm/4D! contact surfaces of the funnel and perforated dish shall be plane
where:
D iTeh Standards
= density of air-free mortar, g/cm , 3
and are permitted to be lapped to ensure intimate contact. An
air-tight seal shall be maintained between the funnel and the
dish during a test. This shall be accomplished by either of the
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W1 = mass of cement, g,
W2 = mass of sand, g, following procedures: (1) a synthetic (grease-resistant) rubber
Vw = millilitres-grams of water used, gasket shall be permanently sealed to the top of the funnel
S1
S2
A
= density of cement, g/cm3
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= density of standard sand, 2.65 g/cm3,
= volume percent of entrained air, and
using petrolatum or light grease to ensure a seal between the
gasket and dish, or (2) the top of the funnel shall be lightly
coated with petrolatum or light grease to ensure a seal between
Wm = mass of 400 mL of mortar, g. the funnel and dish. Care shall be taken to ensure that none of
ASTM C91-01
the holes in the perforated dish are clogged. Hardened, very
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17. Compressive Strength smooth, not rapid filter paper shall be used. It shall be 150 mm
17.1 Test Specimens: in diameter and be placed so as to completely cover the
17.1.1 Molding—Immediately after determining the flow perforations in the dish.
and mass of 400 mL of mortar, return all of the mortar to the 18.1.2 Straightedge—A steel straightedge not less than 200
mixing bowl and remix for 15 s at the medium speed. Then mm (8 in.) long and not less than 2 mm (1⁄16 in.) nor more than
mold the test specimens in accordance with Test Method 3 mm (1⁄8 in.) in thickness.
C 109/C 109 M, except that the elapsed time for mixing 18.1.3 Other Apparatus—Other apparatus required for the
mortar, determining flow, determining air entrainment, and water retention test shall conform to the applicable require-
starting the molding of cubes shall be within 8 min. ments of Section 13.
17.1.2 Storage—Immediately after molding, store all test 18.2 Procedure:
specimens in the molds on plane plates in a moist cabinet or 18.2.1 Adjust the mercury relief column or vacuum regula-
moist room for 48 to 52 h in such a manner that the upper tor to maintain a vacuum of 51 6 3 mm as indicated by the
surfaces shall be exposed to the moist air. Then remove the manometer or vacuum gauge. Seat the perforated dish on the
cubes from the molds, and place them in the moist cabinet or greased gasket or greased rim of the funnel. Place a wetted
moist room for 5 days in such a manner as to allow free filter paper in the bottom of the dish. Turn the stopcock to
circulation of air around at least five faces of the specimens. At apply the vacuum to the funnel and check the apparatus for
the age of 7 days, immerse the cubes for the 28-day tests in leaks and to determine that the required vacuum is obtained.
saturated lime water in storage tanks of noncorrodible materi- Then turn the stopcock to shut off the vacuum from the funnel.
als. 18.2.2 Mix the mortar to a flow of 110 6 5 % in accordance
17.2 Procedure: with Practice C 305. Immediately after making the flow test,
17.2.1 Test the cube specimens immediately after their return the mortar on the flow table to the mixing bowl and
removal from the moist cabinet or moist room for 7-day remix the entire batch for 15 s at medium speed. Immediately
specimens, and immediately after their removal from storage after remixing the mortar, fill the perforated dish with the
water for all other specimens. If more than one specimen at a mortar to slightly above the rim. Tamp the mortar 15 times with
time is removed from the moist cabinet or moist room for the tamper. Apply ten of the tamping strokes at approximately