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Designation: C 1202 – 97

Standard Test Method for

Electrical Indication of Concrete’s Ability to Resist Chloride
Ion Penetration1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1202; 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.

1. Scope ride Ion Penetration4

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the elec- 3. Summary of Test Method
trical conductance of concrete to provide a rapid indication of
its resistance to the penetration of chloride ions. This test 3.1 This test method consists of monitoring the amount of
method is applicable to types of concrete where correlations electrical current passed through 2-in. (51-mm) thick slices of
have been established between this test procedure and long- 4-in. (102-mm) nominal diameter cores or cylinders during a
term chloride ponding procedures such as those described in 6-h period. A potential difference of 60 V dc is maintained
AASHTO T 259. Examples of such correlations are discussed across the ends of the specimen, one of which is immersed in
in Refs 1-5.2 a sodium chloride solution, the other in a sodium hydroxide
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded solution. The total charge passed, in coulombs, has been found
as the standard, except where SI units are given first followed to be related to the resistance of the specimen to chloride ion
by inch-pound units in parentheses. The values given in penetration.
parentheses are for information only. iTeh Standards
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Significance and Use

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safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 4.1 This test method covers the laboratory evaluation of the
electrical conductance of concrete samples to provide a rapid
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
indication of their resistance to chloride ion penetration. In
DocumentmostPreview
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. cases the electrical conductance results have shown good
correlation with chloride ponding tests, such as AASHTO
2. Referenced Documents T259, on companion slabs cast from the same concrete
2.1 ASTM Standards: mixtures (Refs 1-5).
ASTM C1202-97
C 31 Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Speci- 4.2 This test method is suitable for evaluation of materials
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3 and material proportions for design purposes and research and
mens in the Field
C 42 Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores development.
and Sawed Beams of Concrete3 4.3 The numerical results (total charge passed, in coulombs)
C 192 Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Speci- from this test method must be used with caution, especially in
mens in the Laboratory 3 applications such as quality control and acceptance testing. The
C 670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements qualitative terms in the right-hand column of Table 1 should be
for Test Methods for Construction Purposes 3 used in most cases.
2.2 AASHTO Standard: 4.4 Care should be taken in interpreting results of this test
T 259 Method of Test for Resistance of Concrete to Chlo- when it is used on surface-treated concretes, for example,
concretes treated with penetrating sealers. The results from this
test on some such concretes indicate low resistance to chloride
ion penetration, while 90-day chloride ponding tests on com-
panion slabs show a higher resistance.
4.5 The details of the test method apply to 4-in. (102-mm)
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C-9 on Concrete nominal diameter specimens. This includes specimens with
and Concrete Aggregatesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.66on
Concrete’s Resistance to Fluid Penetration.
actual diameters ranging from 3.75 in. (95 mm) to 4.0 in. (102
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 1997. Published March 1997. Originally
published as C 1202 – 91. Last previous edition C 1202 – 94.
2 4
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of Methods of Sampling and Testing, 1986, American Association of State
this standard. Highway and Transportation Officials, 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Washington, DC
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02. 20001.

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

1
 C 1202 – 97
TABLE 1 Chloride Ion Penetrability Based on Charge Passed 5. Interferences
(1)1
5.1 This test method can produce misleading results when
Charge Passed (coulombs) Chloride Ion Penetrability
calcium nitrite has been admixed into a concrete. The results
>4,000 High from this test on some such concretes indicate higher coulomb
2,000–4,000 Moderate
1,000–2,000 Low values, that is, lower resistance to chloride ion penetration,
100–1,000 Very Low than from tests on identical concrete mixtures (controls)
<100 Negligible without calcium nitrite. However, long-term chloride ponding
tests indicate the concretes with calcium nitrite were at least as
resistant to chloride ion penetration as the control mixtures.
mm). Other specimen diameters may be tested with appropriate NOTE 1—Other admixtures might affect results of this test similarly.
changes in the applied voltage cell design (see 7.5 and Fig. 1). Long term ponding tests are recommended if an admixture effect is
4.5.1 For specimen diameters other than 3.75 in. (95 mm), suspected.
the test result value for total charge passed must be adjusted 5.2 Since the test results are a function of the electrical
following the procedure in 11.2. For specimens with diameters resistance of the specimen, the presence of reinforcing steel or
less than 3.75 in. (95 mm), particular care must be taken in other embedded electrically conductive materials may have a
coating and mounting the specimens to ensure that the con- significant effect. The test is not valid for specimens containing
ductive solutions are able to contact the entire end areas during reinforcing steel positioned longitudinally, that is, providing a
the test. continuous electrical path between the two ends of the speci-
4.6 Sample age may have significant effects on the test men.
results, depending on the type of concrete and the curing
procedure. Most concretes, if properly cured, become progres- 6. Apparatus
sively and significantly less permeable with time. 6.1 Vacuum Saturation Apparatus (see Fig. 2 for example):

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ASTM C1202-97
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FIG. 1 Applied Voltage Cell (construction drawing)

2
 C 1202 – 97
7.5 Applied Voltage Cell (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 3)—Two
symmetric poly (methyl methacrylate) chambers, each contain-
ing electrically conductive mesh and external connectors. One
design in common use is shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3. However,
other designs are acceptable, provided that overall dimensions
(including dimensions of the fluid reservoir) are the same as
shown in Fig. 1 and width of the screen and shims are as
shown.
7.6 Temperature Measuring Device (optional)—30 to 250°F
(0 to 120°C) range.
7.7 Voltage Application and Data Readout Apparatus—
Capable of holding 60 6 0.1 V dc across applied voltage cell
over entire range of currents and of displaying voltage accurate
to 6 0.1 V and current to 6 1 mA. Apparatus listed in
7.7.1-7.7.5 is a possible system meeting this requirement.
7.7.1 Voltmeter—Digital (DVM), 3 digit, minimum 0–99.9
FIG. 2 Vacuum Saturation Apparatus
V range, rated accuracy 6 0.1 %.
7.7.2 Voltmeter—Digital (DVM), 41⁄2 digit, 0–200 mV
6.1.1 Separatory Funnel, or other sealable, bottom-draining
range, rated accuracy 6 0.1 %.
container with a minimum capacity of 500 mL.
7.7.3 Shunt Resistor—100 mV, 10A rating, tolerance 6
6.1.2 Beaker (1000 mL or larger) or other container—
0.1 %. Alternatively, a 0.01 V resistor, tolerance 6 0.1 %, may
Capable of holding concrete specimen(s) and water and of
be used, but care must be taken to establish very low resistance
fitting into vacuum desiccator (see 6.1.3).
connections.
6.1.3 Vacuum Desiccator—250-mm (9.8-in.) inside diam-
7.7.4 Constant Voltage Power Supply— 0–80 V dc, 0–2 A,
eter or larger. Desiccator must allow two hose connections
iTeh Standards
capable of holding voltage constant at 60 6 0.1 V over entire
through a rubber stopper and sleeve or through a rubber stopper
range of currents.
only. Each connection must be equipped with a stopcock.
7.7.5 Cable—Two conductor, No. 14 (1.6 mm), insulated,
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6.1.4 Vacuum Pump—Capable of maintaining a pressure of
600 V.
less than 1 mm Hg (133 Pa) in desiccator.

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8. Test Specimens
NOTE 2—Since vacuum will be drawn over water, pump should be
protected with a water trap, or pump oil should be changed after each
8.1 Sample preparation and selection depends on the pur-
operation.
pose of the test. For evaluation of materials or their propor-
6.1.5 Vacuum Gage or Manometer—Accurate to 6 0.5 mm tions, samples may be (a) cores from test slabs or from large
ASTM C1202-97
Hg (6 66 Pa) over range 0–10 mm Hg (0–1330 Pa) pressure. diameter cylinders or (b) 4-in. (102-mm) diameter cast cylin-
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Coating Apparatus and Materials: ders. For evaluation of structures, samples may be (a) cores
6.2.1 Coating—Rapid setting, electrically nonconductive, from the structure or (b) 4-in. (102-mm) diameter cylinders
capable of sealing side surface of concrete cores. cast and cured at the field site. Coring shall be done with a
6.2.2 Balance or Scale, Paper Cups, Wooden Spatulas, and drilling rig equipped with a 4-in. (102-mm) diameter diamond-
Disposable Brushes—For mixing and applying coating. dressed core bit. Select and core samples following procedures
6.3 Specimen Sizing Equipment (not required if samples are in Test Method C 42. Cylinders cast in the laboratory shall be
cast to final specimen size). prepared following procedures in Practice C 192. When cylin-
6.3.1 Movable Bed Water-Cooled Diamond Saw or Silicon ders are cast in the field to evaluate a structure, care must be
Carbide Saw. taken that the cylinders receive the same treatment as the
7. Reagents, Materials, and Test Cell
7.1 Specimen-Cell Sealant—Capable of sealing concrete to
poly (methyl methacrylate), for example, Plexiglas, against
water and dilute sodium hydroxide and sodium chloride
solutions at temperatures up to 200°F (90°C); examples in-
clude RTV silicone rubbers, silicone rubber caulkings, other
synthetic rubber sealants, silicone greases, and rubber gaskets.
7.2 Sodium Chloride Solution—3.0 % by mass (reagent
grade) in distilled water.
7.3 Sodium Hydroxide Solution—0.3 N (reagent grade) in
distilled water.
7.4 Filter Papers—No. 2, 90-mm (3.5-in.) diameter (not
required if rubber gasket is used for sealant (see 7.1) or if
sealant can be applied without overflowing from shim onto
mesh). FIG. 3 Applied Voltage Cell-Face View