Designation: C579 − 01 (Reapproved 2012)

Standard Test Methods for

Compressive Strength of Chemical-Resistant Mortars,
Grouts, Monolithic Surfacings, and Polymer Concretes1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C579; 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 Department of Defense.

1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these test
compressive strength of chemical-resistant mortars, grouts, methods, see Terminology C904.
monolithic surfacings, and polymer concretes. These materials
may be based on resin, silicate, silica, or sulfur binders. 4. Significance and Use
1.2 Test Method A outlines the testing procedure generally 4.1 These test methods offer a means of determining the
used for systems containing aggregate less than 0.0625 in. (1.6 compressive strength of chemical-resistant mortars, grouts,
mm) in size. Test Method B covers the testing procedure monolithic surfacings, and polymer concretes.
generally used for systems containing aggregate from 0.0625 5. Apparatus
to 0.4 in. (1.6 to 10 mm) in size. Test Method C is used for
systems containing aggregate larger than 0.4 in. 5.1 Equipment, capable of weighing materials or specimens
to 60.3 % accuracy.
1.3 These test methods provide two different methods for
controlling the testing rate. 5.2 Specimen Molds:
5.2.1 Test Method A—These molds shall be right cylinder 1
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 6 1⁄32 in. (25 6 0.8 mm) in diameter by 1 6 1⁄32 in. high. The
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical molds may be constructed in any manner that will allow
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only formation of a test specimen of the desired size. Typical molds
and are not considered standard. consist of a 1-in. thick, flat plastic sheet in which 1-in.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the diameter, smooth-sided holes have been cut, and to the bottom
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the of which a 1⁄4-in. (6-mm) thick, flat plastic sheet (without
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- matching holes) is attached by means of screws or bolts.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- Alternately, the molds may consist of sections of round plastic
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. tubing or pipe, 1-in. inside diameter and 1 in. long, having
sufficient wall thickness to be rigid and retain dimensional
2. Referenced Documents stability during the molding operation, and a 1⁄4-in. thick, flat
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 plastic sheet on which one open end of each section can be
C470/C470M Specification for Molds for Forming Concrete rested. With the latter style of mold, the tubing segment may be
Test Cylinders Vertically sealed with a material, such as caulking compound or stopcock
C904 Terminology Relating to Chemical-Resistant Nonme- grease. For most types of specimens it is satisfactory to simply
tallic Materials seal one end of the tubing segment with masking tape.
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines NOTE 1—For use with sulfur mortars an additional piece of flat plastic
sheet at least 1⁄8 in. (3 mm) thick containing a 1⁄4-in. (6-mm) hole and a
section of plastic tubing or pipe 1 in. (25 mm) in diameter by 1 in. high
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on are required. They are used to form a pouring gate and reservoir in the
Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and are the direct preparation of sulfur mortar specimens.
responsibility of Subcommittee D01.46 on Industrial Protective Coatings.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2012. Published September 2012. Originally 5.2.2 Test Method B—Molds for the 2 in. (50 mm) cube
approved in 1968. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as C579 – 01 (2006). specimens shall be tight fitting and leakproof. The molds shall
DOI: 10.1520/C0579-01R12.
2
have not more than three cube compartments and shall be
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
separable into not more than three parts. The parts of the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on molds, when assembled, shall be positively held together. The
the ASTM website. molds shall be made of materials not attacked by the product

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 C579 − 01 (2012)
being tested. The sides of the molds shall be sufficiently rigid 6.3 Test Method B—Prepare test specimens to be used in
to prevent spreading or warping. The interior faces of the accordance with Test Method B as described in 6.5. Test
molds shall be manufactured to ensure plane surfaces with a specimens shall be cubes with dimensions of 2 + 1⁄16, − 1⁄8 in.
permissible variation of 0.002 in. (0.05 mm). The distances (50 + 1.5, − 3.0 mm). If the faces of the cube are not flat,
between opposite faces shall be 2 6 1⁄16 in. (50 6 0.8 mm). The smooth, and normal to each other, they may be sanded, ground,
height of the molds, measured separately for each cube or machined to specification. Exercise care that the frictional
compartment, shall be 2 6 1⁄16 in. The angle between adjacent heat developed during such operations does not damage the
interior faces and between interior faces and top and bottom specimens.
planes of the mold shall be 90 6 0.5° measured at points
slightly removed from the intersection of the faces. 6.4 Test Method C—Prepare test specimens to be used in
5.2.3 Test Method C—Molds shall be right cylinders made accordance with Test Method C as described in 6.6.
of heavy gage metal or other rigid nonabsorbent material. The 6.4.1 Do not test specimens if any individual diameter of a
cylinder diameter shall be at least four times the nominal cylinder differs from any other diameter of the same cylinder
maximum aggregate size in the mix. The minimum cylinder by more than 2 %.
diameter shall be 2 in. (50 mm). The cylinder height shall be 6.4.2 Neither end of compressive test specimens, when
two times the diameter. The plane of the rim of the mold shall tested, shall depart from perpendicular to the axis by more than
be at right angles to the axis within 0.5°. The mold shall be at 0.5° (approximately equivalent to 1⁄8 in. in 12 in. (3 mm in 300
right angles to the axis within 0.5°. The mold shall not vary mm). Cap the ends of compression test specimens that are not
from the prescribed diameter by more than 1⁄16 in. (1.5 mm) nor flat within 0.002 in. (0.05 mm) in accordance with 6.6, sawed
from the prescribed height by more than 1⁄8 in. (3 mm). Molds or ground. Determine the diameter used for calculating the
shall be provided with a flat base plate with a means for cross-sectional area of the test specimen to the nearest 0.01 in.
securing it to the mold at a right angle to the axis of the (0.25 mm) by averaging two diameters measured at right
cylinder in the instance of reusable metal molds. For molds angles to each other at about mid-height of the specimen.
other than metal, a mechanically attached smooth flat metal or
integrally molded flat bottom of the same material, as the sides 6.5 Specimen Preparation for Test Methods A and B:
shall be used. Single-use molds shall conform to Specification 6.5.1 Resin, Silicate, and Silica Materials—Mix a sufficient
C470/C470M. amount of the components in the proportions and in the manner
specified by the manufacturer of the materials. Fill the molds
NOTE 2—The material from which the mold is constructed must be
chemically inert and have antistick properties. Polyethylene, one-half full. Remove any entrapped air by using a cutting and
polypropylene, polytetrafluorethylene, and metal forms having either a stabbing motion with a spatula or rounded-end rod. Fill the
sintered coating of tetrafluoroethylene or a suitable release agent compat- remainder of the mold, working down into the previously
ible with the material being tested are satisfactory. Because of their placed portion. Upon completion of the filling operation, the
superior heat resistance, only trifluorochloroethylene and tetrafluoroeth-
ylene mold release agents should be used with sulfur materials. tops of the specimens should extend slightly above the tops of
the molds. When the molds have been filled, strike off the
5.3 The testing machine may be of any type of sufficient
excess material, even with the top of the mold. Permit the
capacity which will provide the rates of loading prescribed. It
material to remain in the mold until it has set sufficiently to
shall have been verified to have an accuracy of 1.0 %, or better,
allow removal without danger of deformation or breakage.
within twelve months of the time of use in accordance with
Practices E4. The testing machine shall be equipped with two 6.5.1.1 Silicate Materials—Some silicates may require cov-
steel bearing blocks with hardened faces, one of which is a ering during the curing period. After removal from the molds,
spherically seated block that will bear on the top bearing plate, acid-treat the specimens, if required, in accordance with the
and the other a plain rigid block that will support the bottom recommendations given by the manufacturer. No other treat-
bearing plate. The diameter of the spherical bearing block shall ment shall be permitted. Record the method of treatment in
be at least 75 % of the width of the specimen. The bearing 9.1.8.
faces shall not depart from a plane by more than 0.001 in. 6.5.2 Sulfur Materials:
(0.025 mm) in any 6-in. (150-mm) diameter circle. 6.5.2.1 Sulfur Mortars—Slowly melt a minimum of 2 lb
(900 g) of the material in a suitable container at a temperature
6. Test Specimens
of 265 to 290°F (130 to 145°C) with constant agitation. Stir to
6.1 Make all specimens for a single determination from a lift and blend the aggregate without beating air into the melt.
single mix. Place the piece of plastic sheet containing the 1⁄4-in. (6-mm)
6.2 Test Method A—Prepare test specimens to be used in round hole over the open face of the mold with the hole
accordance with Test Method A as described in 6.5. Test centered on the face. On top of the piece of plastic sheet and
specimens shall be right cylinders 1 + 1 ⁄ 32 , − 1 ⁄ 16 in. surrounding the hole, place a section of plastic tubing or pipe
(25 + 0.8, − 1.6 mm) in diameter by 1 6 1⁄16 in. (25 6 1.6 mm) 1 in. (25 mm) in diameter by 1 in. high. Pour the melted
high. If the faces of the specimen are not flat, smooth, and material through the hole into the mold and continue to pour
normal to the cylinder axis, they may be sanded, ground, or until the section of tubing or pipe is completely filled. The
machined to specification. Exercise care that the frictional heat excess material contained in the hole in the plastic sheet acts as
developed during such operations does not damage the speci- a reservoir to compensate for shrinkage of the material during
mens. cooling.

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 C579 − 01 (2012)
6.5.2.2 Allow the specimen to remain in the mold until it NOTE 3—Any capping compound to be used with polymer concrete
has completely solidified. Upon removal, file, grind, or sand should be tested to ascertain that its strength is high enough to prevent
premature failure in the cap when testing in high compressive strength
the surface flush, removing the excess material remaining at polymer concretes. Cap failure may result in substantially lower compres-
the pouring gate. sive strength results.
6.5.2.3 Sulfur Concrete—Heat and mix a sufficient amount
of aggregate components and sulfur cement in the proportions 7. Conditioning
and in the manner specified by the manufacturer to a tempera- 7.1 Resin and Silica Materials—Age the test specimens in
ture of 265 to 290°F (130 to 145°C). Fill the molds one-half air at 73 6 4°F (23 6 2°C) for a period of seven days,
full. Rod 25 times using a rounded 5⁄8-in. (15-mm) diameter including the time in the mold before testing.
rod. Distribute the strokes uniformly over the cross section of 7.2 Silicate Materials—Follow the same procedure as given
the mold. Repeat with two additional portions allowing the rod in 7.1, the only exception being that the relative humidity of the
to penetrate about 1⁄2 in. (12 mm) into the underlying layer. surrounding air must be kept below 80 %.
After consolidation, the tops of the specimens should extend
slightly above the tops of the molds. Finish the top surface by 7.3 Sulfur Materials—Age the test specimens in air at 73°F
striking off the excess material even with the top of the mold. 6 4°F for at least 24 h including the time in the mold, before
Permit the material to remain in the mold until it has cooled testing.
sufficiently to allow removal without danger of deformation or
8. Procedure
breakage.
6.5.3 Number of Test Specimens—Prepare six test speci- 8.1 Measurement of Specimens:
mens for each material formulation. 8.1.1 Test Method A and Test Method C—Immediately
following the conditioning period, measure the diameter of all
6.6 Specimen Preparation for Test Method C—Prepare test specimens to the nearest 0.001 in. (0.0254 mm), using a
specimens in accordance with 6.5 with the following additional micrometer. Make two measurements at right angles to each
considerations: other at mid-height and record the diameter as the average of
6.6.1 Use of vibrators is generally not required for sulfur the two.
concrete but may be required for other materials using Test 8.1.1.1 Immediately after measuring, proceed to test as
Method C. The type and method of vibrating will be as described in 8.2.
recommended by the manufacturer and shall be specified in the 8.1.2 Test Method B—Immediately following the condition-
test report. ing period, measure the cross-sectional dimensions of all test
6.6.2 Filling and Capping for Cylindrical Resin, Silica, and specimens to the nearest 0.001 in. (25 µm) using a micrometer.
Silicate Specimens—The top layer may be filled to slightly Take two measurements for each dimension at mid-height and
below the top edge of the mold except for sulfur materials. For perpendicular to the load axis and average them.
sulfur materials, fill slightly above the top edge and strike off 8.1.2.1 Immediately after measuring, proceed to test as
flush with the top edge. The top surface of the specimen shall described in 8.2.
be finished as much as practicable to a plane perpendicular to 8.2 Compression Testing:
the axis of the specimen. The flatness of the finished specimen 8.2.1 Compression tests shall be performed at 73 6 4°F.
shall be within 0.010 in. (0.25 mm). Specimens exceeding this 8.2.2 Placing the Specimen—Place the bearing block, with
tolerance shall be machined flat or a capping compound shall its hardened face up, on the table or platen of the testing
be applied if the test load is to be applied to the surface. machine directly under the spherically seated (upper) bearing
6.6.2.1 Capping, if used, shall be made as thin as practicable block. Wipe clean the bearing faces of the upper and lower
and shall be applied before removal of the polymer concrete bearing blocks and of the test specimen and place the test
from the molds. specimen on the lower bearing block. As the spherically seated
6.6.2.2 If a polymer paste or mortar is used for capping, it is block is brought to bear on the specimen, rotate its movable
preferable that the polymer used be the same as the one used to portion gently by hand so that uniform seating is obtained.
make the specimen. Fillers used may be the fine portion used 8.2.3 Rate of Loading:
in the polymer concrete or another mineral powder. 8.2.3.1 Load Rate I—Apply the load continuously and
6.6.2.3 For capping in the mold, a suitable capping com- without shock. Test at a rate of 6000 psi/min (41 MPa/min).
pound may be made from a polymer mortar. The surface of the Make no adjustment in the controls of the testing machine
polymer concrete shall be wiped off after hardening, and a while a specimen is rapidly yielding, immediately before
polymer mortar or polymer paste with suitable fillers shall be failure.
deposited and pressed down uniformly to the top edge of the 8.2.3.2 Load Rate II—Set the testing machine to a cross-
mold with a capping plate. In order to prevent the capping plate head speed of 0.1 to 0.125 in./min times the specimen height in
from bonding to the paste or mortar, the underside of the inches (0.1 to 0.125 cm/min times the specimen height in
capping plate shall be covered with a release agent. centimetres) when the machine is running without load.
6.6.2.4 For capping after mold removal, stiff polymer paste NOTE 4—The above methods of controlling machine crosshead rate are
or mortar or a low-melting-point alloy for capping shall be not identical and may produce different compressive strength values.
used. A suitable apparatus to maintain parallel ends on the 8.2.4 Load the test specimen to failure and record the
specimens shall be used. maximum load (W).

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 C579 − 01 (2012)
8.3 Calculation: 9.1.5 Specimen dimensions,
8.3.1 Test Method A and Test Method C: 9.1.6 Description of failure including type of failure, ap-
8.3.1.1 Calculate compressive strength(s) as follows: pearance of specimen, and whether aggregate was fractured,
S 5 ~ 4W ! / ~ π 3 D 2 ! (1) 9.1.7 Defects in specimens,
9.1.8 Conditioning procedure,
where: 9.1.9 Test conditions (temperature and humidity),
S = compressive strength, psi (MPa), 9.1.10 Loading rate,
W = maximum load, lb (N), and 9.1.11 Maximum load indicated by testing machine, and
D = diameter measured in 8.1.1, in. (mm). 9.1.12 Individual and average compressive strength values.
8.3.2 Test Method B:
8.3.2.1 Calculate compressive strength(s) as follows: 10. Precision and Bias
S 5 ~W!/~L1 3 L 2 ! (2) 10.1 Test specimens that are manifestly faulty should be
rejected and not considered in determining the compressive
where: strength.
S = compressive strength, psi (MPa),
W = maximum load, lb (N), and 10.2 If any strength value(s) differs from the mean by more
L1 and L2 = cross-section dimensions of cube measured in than 15 %, the value farthest from the mean shall be rejected
8.1.2, in. (mm). and the mean recalculated. If any value(s) still differs from the
new mean by more than 15 %, the farthest value should again
9. Report be rejected and the mean recalculated. If any value(s) remains
9.1 Report the following information: 15 % from the mean, the test should be rerun.
9.1.1 Complete material identification, date,
9.1.2 Mixing ratio, 11. Keywords
9.1.3 Use of Test Method A, Test Method B, or Test Method 11.1 brick mortars; chemical-resistant; compressive
C, strength; machinery grouts; monolithic surfacings; polymer
9.1.3.1 Use of Load Rate I or II. concrete; resin materials; silicate materials; sulfur materials;
9.1.4 Capping material and method, if used, tile grouts

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