NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.

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Designation: C150/C150M − 21

Standard Specification for

Portland Cement1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C150/C150M; 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.

1. Scope* or by appropriate conversion, using the Rules for Conversion

1.1 This specification covers ten types of portland cement, and Rounding given in IEEE/ASTM SI 10, of measurements
as follows (see Note 2): made in other units [or SI units]. Values are stated in only SI
1.1.1 Type I—For general use, when the special properties units when inch-pound units are not used in practice.
specified for any other type are not required. 1.3 The text of this specification references notes and
1.1.2 Type IA—Air-entraining cement for the same uses as footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and
Type I, where air-entrainment is desired. footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be
1.1.3 Type II—For general use, more especially when mod- considered as requirements of the standard.
erate sulfate resistance is desired. 1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.1.4 Type IIA—Air-entraining cement for the same uses as dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Type II, where air-entrainment is desired. ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.1.5 Type II(MH)—For general use, more especially when Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
moderate heat of hydration and moderate sulfate resistance are mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
desired.
iTeh Standards
1.1.6 Type II(MH)A—Air-entraining cement for the same
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
uses as Type II(MH), where air-entrainment is desired.
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2. Referenced Documents
1.1.7 Type III—For use when high early strength is desired.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
1.1.8 Type IIIA—Air-entraining cement for the same use as
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C51 Terminology Relating to Lime and Limestone (as Used
Type III, where air-entrainment is desired.
by the Industry)
1.1.9 Type IV—For use when a low heat of hydration is
C109/C109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of
desired.
Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50 mm] Cube
1.1.10 Type V—For use when high sulfate resistance is
desired. ASTM C150/C150M-21 Specimens)
C114 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic
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NOTE 1—Some cements are designated with a combined type
classification, such as Type I/II, indicating that the cement meets the Cement
requirements of the indicated types and is being offered as suitable for use C151/C151M Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of Hy-
when either type is desired. draulic Cement
NOTE 2—Cement conforming to the requirements for all types are not C183/C183M Practice for Sampling and the Amount of
carried in stock in some areas. In advance of specifying the use of cement
other than Type I, determine whether the proposed type of cement is or can Testing of Hydraulic Cement
be made available. C185 Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units Mortar
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in C191 Test Methods for Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each by Vicat Needle
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining C204 Test Methods for Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance Air-Permeability Apparatus
with the standard. Values in SI units [or inch-pound units] shall C219 Terminology Relating to Hydraulic and Other Inor-
be obtained by measurement in SI units [or inch-pound units] ganic Cements
C226 Specification for Air-Entraining Additions for Use in
the Manufacture of Air-Entraining Hydraulic Cement
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C01 on
Cement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C01.10 on Hydraulic
2
Cements for General Concrete Construction. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 15, 2021. Published August 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1940. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as C150/C150M – 20. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/C0150_C0150M-21. the ASTM website.

*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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 C150/C150M − 21
C266 Test Method for Time of Setting of Hydraulic-Cement 4.1.1 This specification number and date,
Paste by Gillmore Needles 4.1.2 Type or types allowable. If no type is specified, Type
C451 Test Method for Early Stiffening of Hydraulic Cement I shall be supplied,
(Paste Method) 4.1.3 Any optional chemical requirements from Table 2, if
C452 Test Method for Potential Expansion of Portland- desired, and
Cement Mortars Exposed to Sulfate 4.1.4 Any optional physical requirements from Table 4, if
C465 Specification for Processing Additions for Use in the desired.
Manufacture of Hydraulic Cements
C563 Guide for Approximation of Optimum SO3 in Hydrau- 5. Ingredients
lic Cement 5.1 The cement covered by this specification shall contain
C1038/C1038M Test Method for Expansion of Hydraulic no ingredients except as follows:
Cement Mortar Bars Stored in Water 5.1.1 Portland Cement Clinker.
C1702 Test Method for Measurement of Heat of Hydration 5.1.2 Water or Calcium Sulfate, or Both—The amounts shall
of Hydraulic Cementitious Materials Using Isothermal be such that the limits shown in Table 1 for sulfur trioxide and
Conduction Calorimetry loss-on-ignition are not exceeded.
C1778 Guide for Reducing the Risk of Deleterious Alkali- 5.1.3 Limestone—The amount shall not be more than 5.0 %
Aggregate Reaction in Concrete by mass such that the chemical and physical requirements of
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to this specification are met (see Note 3). The limestone, defined
Determine Conformance with Specifications in Terminology C51, shall be naturally occurring and consist of
IEEE/ASTM SI 10 American National Standard for Metric at least 70 % by mass of one or more of the mineral forms of
Practice calcium carbonate. If limestone is used, the manufacturer shall
report the amount used, expressed as a percentage of cement
3. Terminology mass, as determined using Annex A2, along with the oxide
3.1 Definitions: composition of the limestone.
3.1.1 For definitions pertinent to this specification, see
iTeh Standards
NOTE 3—This specification permits portland cement to contain
Terminology C219. limestone, but does not require that limestone be an ingredient in the
cement. Cement without ground limestone can be specified in the contract

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4. Ordering Information or order.
4.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include 5.1.4 Inorganic Processing Additions—The amount shall be

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the following: not more than 5.0 % by mass of cement. Not more than one

TABLE 1 Standard Composition Requirements

Cement TypeA ASTM C150/C150M-21

Applicable Test
I and
Method
IA II and IIA
II(MH) and
II(MH)A
III and IIIA IV V

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Aluminum oxide (Al O ), max, %
2 3 C114
... 6.0 6.0 ... ... ...
Ferric oxide (Fe2O3), max, % C114 ... 6.0B 6.0B,C ... 6.5 ...
Magnesium oxide (MgO), max, % C114 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
Sulfur trioxide (SO3),D max, % C114
When (C3A)E is 8 % or less 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.5 2.3 2.3
When (C3A)E is more than 8 % 3.5 F F
4.5 F F

Loss on ignition, max, % C114

When limestone is not an ingredient 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.5 3.0
When limestone is an ingredient 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5
Insoluble residue, max, % C114 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
G G G G G G
Equivalent alkalies (Na2O + 0.658 K2O), % C114
Tricalcium silicate (C3S),E max, % See Annex A1 . . . ... ... ... 35C ...
Dicalcium silicate (C2S),E min, % See Annex A1 . . . ... ... ... 40C ...
Tricalcium aluminate (C3A),E max, % See Annex A1 . . . 8 8 15 7C 5B
Sum of C3S + 4.75(C3A),H max, % See Annex A1 . . . ... 100C,I ... ... ...
Tetracalcium aluminoferrite plus twice the See Annex A1 . . . ... ... ... ... 25B
tricalcium aluminate (C4AF + 2(C3A)), or
solid solution (C4AF + C2F),
as applicable, max, %
A
See Note 2.
B
Does not apply when the sulfate resistance limit in Table 4 is specified.
C
Does not apply when the cement complies with the heat of hydration limit in Table 4.
D
It is permissible to exceed the values in the table for SO3 content, provided it has been demonstrated by Test Method C1038/C1038M that the cement with the increased
SO3 will not develop expansion exceeding 0.020 % at 14 days. When the manufacturer supplies cement under this provision, supporting data shall be supplied to the
purchaser (see Note 7).
E
See Annex A1 for calculation.
F
Not applicable.
G
Report equivalent alkalies as part of the manufacturer’s certification (see Note 5).
H
See Note 6.
I
In addition, three-day heat of hydration testing by Test Method C1702 shall be conducted at least once every six months. Such testing shall not be used for acceptance
or rejection of the cement, but results shall be reported for informational purposes.

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 C150/C150M − 21
TABLE 2 Optional Composition RequirementsA
Applicable Test II(MH) and III and
Cement Type I and IA II and IIA IV V Remarks
Method II(MH)A IIIA
Tricalcium aluminate (C3A),B max, % See Annex A1 ... ... ... 8 ... ... For moderate sulfate resistance.
Tricalcium aluminate (C3A),B max, % See Annex A1 ... ... ... 5 ... ... For high sulfate resistance.
A
These optional requirements apply only when specifically requested. Verify availability before ordering (see Note 2).
B
See Annex A1 for calculation.

TABLE 3 Standard Physical Requirements

Applicable
Cement TypeA Test I IA II IIA II(MH) II(MH)A III IIIA IV V
Method
Air content of mortar,B volume %: C185
max 12 22 12 22 12 22 12 22 12 12
min ... 16 ... 16 ... 16 ... 16 ... ...

Fineness, specific surface, m2/kg

Air permeability test C204
min 260 260 260 260 260 260 ... ... 260 260
max ... ... ... ... 430C 430C ... ... 430 ...

Autoclave expansion, max, % C151/ 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80
C151M

Strength, not less than the values

shown for the ages indicated as fol-
lows:D
Compressive strength, MPa [psi]: C109/
C109M
1 day ... ... ... ... ... ... 12.0 10.0 ... ...

iTeh Standards
[1740] [1450]
3 days 12.0 10.0 10.0 8.0 10.0 8.0 24.0 19.0 ... 8.0
[1740] [1450] [1450] [1160] [1450] [1160] [3480] [2760] [1160]

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7 days 19.0 16.0 17.0 14.0 17.0 14.0 ... ... 7.0 15.0
[2760] [2320] [2470] [2030] [2470] [2030] [1020] [2180]
28 days ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 17.0 21.0
[2470] [3050]

Time of setting; Vicat test:E

Time of setting, minutes,
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C191
45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45
not less than
Time of setting, minutes, 375 375 375 375 375 375 375 375 375 375
not more than ASTM C150/C150M-21
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A
B
See Note 2.
Compliance with the requirements of this specification does not necessarily ensure that the desired air content will be obtained in concrete.
C
Maximum fineness limits do not apply if the sum of C3S + 4.75(C3A) is less than or equal to 90, or the cement complies with the heat of hydration limit in Table 4.
D
The strength at any specified test age shall be not less than that attained at any previous specified test age.
E
The time of setting is that described as initial setting time in Test Method C191.

inorganic processing addition shall be used at a time. For amounts used or greater and the total amount of organic
amounts greater than 1.0 %, they shall have been shown to processing additions used shall not exceed 1.0 % by mass of
meet the requirements of Specification C465 for the inorganic cement.
processing addition in the amount used or greater. If an 5.1.6 Air-entraining Addition (for Air-entraining Portland
inorganic processing addition is used, the manufacturer shall Cement Only)—The interground addition shall conform to the
report the amount used, expressed as a percentage of cement requirements of Specification C226.
mass, along with the oxide composition of the processing
addition (see Note 4). 6. Chemical Composition
NOTE 4—These requirements are based on data and recommendations 6.1 Portland cement of each of the ten types shown in
by Taylor.3 Section 1 shall conform to the respective standard chemical
5.1.5 Organic Processing Additions—They shall have been requirements prescribed in Table 1. In addition, optional
shown to meet the requirements of Specification C465 in the chemical requirements are shown in Table 2.
NOTE 5—The standard composition requirements in Table 1 require
reporting of equivalent alkalies. Cements with a maximum of 0.60 %
3
Taylor, P., “Specifications and Protocols for Acceptance Tests on Processing equivalent alkalies were historically designated as “low-alkali cements”
Additions in Cement Manufacturing,” NCHRP Report 607, Transportation Research and recommended for use with aggregates susceptible to alkali-silica
Board, Washington, DC 20008, pp. 96. Available at www.trb.org. reaction (ASR). However, low-alkali cements (in the absence of other

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 C150/C150M − 21
TABLE 4 Optional Physical RequirementsA
Applicable
Cement Type I and II IA and IIA II(MH) II(MH)A III IIIA IV V
Test Method
Early stiffening, final penetration, min, % C451 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50
Heat of hydration:
Isothermal Conduction Calorimetry:
3 days, max, kJ/kg [cal/g] C1702 ... ... 335 [80]B 335 [80]B ... ... 200 [50]C ...
7 days, max, kJ/kg [cal/g] ... ... ... ... ... ... 225 [55]C ...
Strength, not less than the values shown:
Compressive strength, MPa [psi] C109/C109M
28 days 28.0 22.0 28.0 22.0 ... ... ... ...
[4060] [3190] [4060] [3190]
Sulfate resistance,D 14 days, max, % expansion C452 . . .E . . .E . . .E . . .E ... ... ... 0.040
Gillmore test: C266
Initial set, min, not less than 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60
Final set, min, not more than 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600
A
These optional requirements apply only when specifically requested. Verify availability before ordering (see Note 2).
B
The limit for the sum of C3S + 4.75(C3A) in Table 1 shall not apply when the cement complies with this limit.
C
The limits of C3S, C2S, C3A, and Fe2O3 in Table 1 shall not apply when the cement complies with this limit.
D
When the sulfate resistance is specified, it shall be instead of the limits of C3A, C4AF + 2(C3A), and Fe2O3 listed in Table 1.
E
Cement meeting the high sulfate resistance limit for Type V is deemed to meet the moderate sulfate resistance requirement of Type II and Type II(MH).

mitigation measures) may not be effective in mitigating ASR. Guidance on 9.1.9 Sulfate Resistance—Test Method C452 (sulfate expan-
formulating concrete mixtures, including calculating alkali loading using sion).
equivalent alkali content of cement to minimize the potential for ASR, is
provided in Guide C1778. 9.1.10 Time of Setting by Gillmore Needles—Test Method
NOTE 6—The limit on the sum, C3S + 4.75(C3A), in Table 1 provides C266.
control on the heat of hydration of the cement and is consistent with a Test 9.1.11 Calcium Sulfate (Expansion of) Mortar—Test
Method C1702 three-day heat of hydration limit of 315 kJ/kg [75 cal ⁄g].
iTeh Standards
Method C1038/C1038M.
NOTE 7—There are cases where performance of a cement is improved
with SO3 in excess of the Table 1 limits in this specification. Guide C563
10. Inspection
is one of several methods a manufacturer can use to evaluate the effect of
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sulfate content on cement characteristics. Whenever SO3 content of a
10.1 Inspection of the material shall be made as agreed upon
cement exceeds Table 1 limits, Test Method C1038/C1038M results
between the purchaser and the seller as part of the purchase
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provide evidence that excessive expansion does not occur at this higher
sulfate content. contract.

7. Physical Properties 11. Rejection

7.1 Portland cement of each of the ten types ASTM C150/C150M-21
shown in 11.1 The cement shall be rejected if it fails to meet any of
Section 1 shall conform to the respective standard physical
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requirements prescribed in Table 3. In addition, optional
the requirements of this specification.
physical requirements are shown in Table 4. 11.2 At the option of the purchaser, retest, before using,
cement remaining in bulk storage for more than six months or
8. Sampling cement in bags in local storage in the custody of a vendor for
8.1 When the purchaser desires that the cement be sampled more than three months after completion of tests and reject the
and tested to verify compliance with this specification, perform cement if it fails to conform to any of the requirements of this
sampling and testing in accordance with Practice C183/ specification. Cement so rejected shall be the responsibility of
C183M. the owner of record at the time of resampling for retest.
8.2 Practice C183/C183M is not designed for manufactur- 11.3 Packages shall identify the mass contained as net
ing quality control and is not required for manufacturer’s weight. At the option of the purchaser, packages more than 2 %
certification. below the mass marked thereon shall be rejected and if the
average mass of packages in any shipment, as shown by
9. Test Methods determining the mass of 50 packages selected at random, is less
than that marked on the packages, the entire shipment shall be
9.1 Determine the applicable properties enumerated in this
rejected.
specification in accordance with the following test methods:
9.1.1 Chemical Analysis—Test Methods C114.
12. Manufacturer’s Statement
9.1.2 Air Content of Mortar—Test Method C185.
9.1.3 Fineness by Air Permeability—Test Method C204. 12.1 At the request of the purchaser, the manufacturer shall
9.1.4 Autoclave Expansion—Test Method C151/C151M. state in writing the nature, amount, and identity of any
9.1.5 Strength—Test Method C109/C109M. air-entraining addition and of any processing addition used,
9.1.6 Time of Setting by Vicat Needles—Test Method C191. and also, if requested, shall supply test data showing compli-
9.1.7 Early Stiffening—Test Method C451. ance of such air-entraining addition with Specification C226
9.1.8 Heat of Hydration—Test Method C1702. and of such processing addition with Specification C465.

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 C150/C150M − 21
12.2 When limestone is used, the manufacturer shall state in provided in the shipping documents accompanying the ship-
writing the amount thereof and, if requested by the purchaser, ment of packaged or bulk cement. All packages shall be in
shall supply comparative test data on chemical and physical good condition at the time of inspection.
properties of the cement with and without the limestone (see NOTE 10—With the change to SI units, it is desirable to establish a
Note 8). The comparative tests do not supersede the normal standard SI package for portland cements. To that end 42 kg [92.6 lb]
testing to confirm that the cement meets chemical and physical provides a convenient, even-numbered mass reasonably similar to the
requirements of this specification. The amount of limestone in traditional 94-lb [42.6 kg] package.
cement shall be determined in accordance with Annex A2.
14. Storage
NOTE 8—Comparative test data may be from qualification tests per-
formed by the manufacturer during formulation of the cement with 14.1 The cement shall be stored in such a manner as to
limestone. permit easy access for proper inspection and identification of
each shipment, and in a suitable weather-tight building that
12.3 At the request of the purchaser, the manufacturer shall
will protect the cement from dampness and minimize ware-
report the chloride content as determined using Test Methods
house set.
C114, in percent by mass of the cement, in the manufacturer’s
report (see Note 9). 15. Manufacturer’s Certification
NOTE 9—Chlorides in concrete come from multiple ingredients and 15.1 Upon request of the purchaser in the contract or order,
cement chloride content may be required to estimate concrete chloride a manufacturer’s report shall be furnished at the time of
content. Requirements for concrete chloride content are provided in
building codes and other documents. shipment stating the results of tests made on samples of the
material taken during production or transfer and certifying that
13. Packaging and Package Marking the cement conforms to applicable requirements of this speci-
13.1 When the cement is delivered in packages, the words fication.
“Portland Cement,” the type of cement, the name and brand of NOTE 11—Guidance on preparing the manufacturer’s report is provided
the manufacturer, and the mass of the cement contained therein in Appendix X1.
shall be plainly marked on each package. When the cement is
iTeh Standards
16. Keywords
an air-entraining type, the words “air-entraining” shall be
16.1 hydraulic cement; portland cement; specification
plainly marked on each package. Similar information shall be

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ANNEXES

(Mandatory Information)
ASTM C150/C150M-21
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A1. CALCULATION OF POTENTIAL CEMENT PHASE COMPOSITION

A1.1 All values calculated as described in this annex shall properly qualified under the requirements of Test Methods C114.
be rounded in accordance with Practice E29. When evaluating
A1.3 When the ratio of percentages of aluminum oxide to
conformance to a specification, round values to the same
ferric oxide is 0.64 or more, the percentages of tricalcium
number of places as the corresponding table entry before
silicate, dicalcium silicate, tricalcium aluminate, and tetracal-
making comparisons. The expressing of chemical limitations
cium aluminoferrite shall be calculated from the chemical
by means of calculated assumed phases does not necessarily
analysis as follows:
mean that the oxides are actually or entirely present as such
Tricalcium silicate (C3S) = (4.071 × % CaO) – (7.600 × % SiO2)
phases. – (6.718 × % Al2O3) – (1.430 × % Fe2O3) – (2.852 × % SO3)

A1.2 When expressing phases, C = CaO, S = SiO 2 , (A1.1)

A = Al2O3, F = Fe2O3. For example, C3A = 3CaO·Al2O3. Ti- Dicalcium silicate (C2S) = (2.867 × % SiO2) – (0.7544 × % C3S)
tanium dioxide and phosphorus pentoxide (TiO2 and P2O5) (A1.2)
shall not be included with the Al2O3 content (see Note A1.1). Tricalcium aluminate (C3A) = (2.650 × % Al2O3) – (1.692 × % Fe2O3)
NOTE A1.1—When comparing oxide analyses and calculated phases
from different sources or from different historic times, be aware that they (A1.3)
may not have been reported on exactly the same basis. Chemical data Tetracalcium aluminoferrite (C4AF) = 3.043 × % Fe2O3
obtained by Reference and Alternate Test Methods of Test Methods C114
(wet chemistry) may include titania and phosphorus as alumina unless (A1.4)
proper correction has been made (see Test Methods C114), while data
obtained by rapid instrumental methods usually do not. This can result in A1.3.1 When the alumina-ferric oxide ratio is less than 0.64,
small differences in the calculated phases. Such differences are usually a calcium aluminoferrite solid solution (expressed as
within the precision of the analytical methods, even when the methods are ss(C4AF + C2F)) is formed. No tricalcium aluminate will be