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Designation: C 156 – 02a

Standard Test Method for

Water Retention by Concrete Curing Materials1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 156; 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 * materials for contributing to an appropriate curing environment

1.1 This test method covers laboratory determination of the for concrete. The laboratory test method is used both in
efficiency of liquid membrane-forming compounds and sheet formulating and in specifying or qualifying curing products.
materials for curing concrete, as measured by their ability to This test method gives the user a measure of the ability of
reduce moisture loss during the early hardening period. tested curing materials to impede the escape of moisture from
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the a hydraulic cement mortar. Since it is desirable to retain
standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for moisture in fresh concrete to promote the hydration process,
information purposes only. failure of the product to minimize the escape of moisture may
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the lead to loss of strength, cracking, shrinkage, or low abrasion
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the resistance of the hardened concrete, or a combination thereof.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.2 Many factors affect the laboratory test results. Test
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- results obtained may be highly variable as indicated by the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. precision statement. Critical factors include the precision of the
control of the temperature, humidity and air circulation in the
2. Referenced Documents curing cabinet, preparation and sealing of the mortar speci-
2.1 ASTM Standards: mens, the age and surface condition of the mortar specimen
C 87 Test Method for Effect of Organic Impurities in Fine when the curing product is applied, and the uniformity and
Aggregate on Strength of Mortar2 quantity of application of the curing membrane.
C 150 Specification for Portland Cement3
4. Apparatus
C 230/C 230M Specification for Flow Table for Use in Tests
of Hydraulic Cement3 4.1 Mechanical Mortar Mixer, as described in Practice
C 305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement C 305, or a larger size mixture operating on the same principle.
Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency3 4.2 Flow Table, as described in Specification C 230/
C 778 Specification for Standard Sand3 C 230M.
D 1475 Test Method for Density of Liquid Coatings, Inks, 4.3 Molds shall be made of metal, glass, hard rubber, or
and Related Products4 plastic, and shall be watertight, and rigidly constructed to
D 1653 Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of prevent distortion during molding of the specimens or handling
Organic Coating Films4 of the mold containing fresh mortar. They shall have a
D 2369 Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings4 minimum surface area of 12000 mm2 (18.6 in.2), and a
E 178 Practice for Dealing with Outlying Observations5 minimum depth of 19 mm (3⁄4 in.). The top surface shall be
round, square, or rectangular with length not more than twice
3. Significance and Use the width. The top of the mold shall have a rim to provide a
3.1 The moisture retaining ability of a product as deter- firm level surface to support the wood float and to facilitate the
mined by this test method is used to assess the suitability of grooving and sealing steps of the procedure. The rim shall be
parallel with the bottom surface of the mold.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on NOTE 1—Take care to avoid use of an excessive amount of oil, grease,
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee or mold release compound on molds, particularly along the top rim where
C09.22 on Materials Applied to New Concrete Surfaces. sealing compound will be applied. Use of masking tape on the top rim
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 2002. Published October 2002. Originally during application of release compound to prevent contamination has been
published as C 156 – 40 T. Last previous edition C 156 – 02.
2 found expedient.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01. 4.4 Spoon—A stainless steel serving spoon having a bowl
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.01. 75 to 100 mm (3 to 4 in.) long and 50 to 75 mm (2 to 3 in.)
5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.

*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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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
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C 156 – 02a
wide for transferring the mortar from the mixing bowl to the set should be handled as a group throughout the preparation to make the
mold. elapsed time between molding and application of the curing product as
4.5 Gloves, of rubber or plastic, to be worn while molding uniform as possible. This may require mixing the mortar for each set
separately.
the specimens.
4.6 Tamper, of a nonabsorptive, nonabrasive material such 7.2 For determining the quantity of curing compound to be
as medium-hard rubber or seasoned oak rendered non- applied (MA) calculate the total top surface area of the
absorptive by immersion for 15 min in paraffin at approxi- specimen, including the seal and the rim of the mold in square
mately 200°C. The tamper shall be rectangular with a 25 by millimetres using appropriate geometric formulae.
50-mm (1 by 2-in.) cross section and it shall be a convenient NOTE 5—The area (A) used in calculating the mass loss per unit area
length (150 to 300 mm (6 to 12 in.)). (L) is calculated in 14.2 from the surface dimensions measured inside the
4.7 Wood Float, approximately 75 by 280 by 20 mm thick seal of the specimen.
(3 by 11 by 3⁄4 in.).
8. Proportioning and Mixing Mortar
NOTE 2—A commercial wood float equipped with a substantial handle
can be readily reduced to these dimensions. The float shall be resurfaced 8.1 Proportioning—Determine the sand content of the mor-
or replaced when there is noticeable wear to the floating surface. tar by adding dry sand to a cement paste having a water-cement
4.8 Brush, medium-soft bristle 50-mm (2-in.) paint brush to ratio of 0.40 by weight, to produce a flow of 35 6 5 in 10 drops
brush the surface of the specimens prior to sealing. of the flow table, following the procedure described in Test
4.9 Curing Cabinet, maintained at a temperature of 37.8 6 Method C 87. Discard the mix used to determine the proportion
1.1°C (1006 2°F) and a relative humidity of 32 6 2 %. The of sand to cement.
curing cabinet shall be of a design that allows movement of NOTE 6—The sand:cement ratio required varies with the source of the
conditioned air such that the solvent from the curing compound cement. A ratio of 2.5:1 is suggested as a starting point. Flow may be
will be readily evaporated and eliminated from the system. Air determined on a 3 to 4 kg batch of mortar which is conveniently mixed in
the mixer described in Practice C 305. The mixture used to establish the
flow over the specimens shall be adjusted to provide an
sand:cement ratio is discarded because it is thought that the age and
evaporation rate of 2.0 to 3.4 g/h as measured by the procedure mixing history of the mortar affect the final moisture loss results and must
of Annex A1. The evaporation rate shall initially be measured be controlled.
for each position in the cabinet in which a sample will be
placed, and shall be verified annually and whenever any 8.2 Mixing—Combine the components of the mortar in a
changes are made to the cabinet. The range of evaporation rates mortar-mixing machine to produce a homogeneous mortar not
for all specimen positions in the test cabinet shall be reported. 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 applica- 30 s and continue mixing for 1 min. Stop the mixer for 1 min. During the
first 15 s, scrape down the sides of the bowl. Finish by mixing for an
tion, use the equipment recommended by the curing compound additional 1 min, and promptly begin molding the specimens.
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 provided that care is taken to avoid
Type I of Specification C 150.
its application to the top rim of the mold to prevent interference
5.2 Graded Standard Sand, conforming to the requirements
with sealing of the edge.
of Specification C 778.
9.2 Half fill the mold and spread the mortar with the back of
5.3 Sealing Compound, that will not be affected by the
the spoon to create a layer of approximately uniform thickness.
curing material and which effectively seals against moisture
Tamp over the entire surface with one stroke of the 25 by 50
loss between the boundary of the specimen and the edge of the
mm (1 by 2 in.) face of the tamper per 1000 mm2 of surface
mold.
area rounded to the nearest integer. Place a second layer of
NOTE 3—Tissue embedding wax, readily available from scientific mortar, sufficient in amount to slightly overfill the mold and
supply houses, is a convenient and reliable sealant. tamp in a similar manner. Using the 25-mm (1-in.) wide by 150
to 300-mm (6 to 12-in.) long edge of the tamper, fill the
6. Conditioning
indentations made by the tamping and level the surface by
6.1 The temperature of the room and of all materials when pressing down firmly with a series of contacts across the entire
used in this test shall be 23 6 2°C (73 6 4°F) unless otherwise surface. Strike off the specimen level with the top of the mold
specified, and the room humidity shall be 50 6 10 %. using a wood float with one pass only, in the direction of the
7. Number of Specimens long axis of the specimen for rectangular molds, using a
sawing motion of the float. Keep the 75-mm (3-in.) face of the
7.1 A set of three or more test specimens shall be made in float firmly in contact with the mortar and edges of the mold so
order to constitute a test of a given curing material. that the float creates a uniformly dense surface free of voids
NOTE 4—When more than one set of specimens is to be prepared, each and cracks.

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C 156 – 02a
9.3 Immediately after molding, wipe the outside surfaces of specimen must be kept at a minimum so as to prevent, as much as
the molds clean, and place the specimens in the curing cabinet possible, significant loss of volatiles during spraying and before the final
maintained at the conditions specified in 4.9. The specimens weighing. Spraying shall be accomplished with the minimum pressure and
flow rate of air with which an acceptable spray pattern can be attained.
shall be level and not subject to vibration. The spacing between
the individual specimens and between the specimens and the 11.1.3 Determine the proper coverage by comparing the
side walls of the cabinet shall be between 50 and 175 mm (2 to initial mass of the specimen (M1), before applying the curing
7 in.). Within these limits the spacing shall be the same for all compound, to the mass after coating. The final mass shall equal
specimens. Use dummy specimens to fill any empty spaces in the initial mass of the specimen plus the predetermined mass of
the cabinet. the curing compound to be applied. This will necessitate
frequent weighing of the specimen during application as full
10. Surface Preparation and Edge Sealing coverage is approached. In the case of brush application,
10.1 Remove the specimens from the cabinet immediately proper coverage may be determined by weighing the container,
upon disappearance of the surface water and lightly brush the brush, and curing compound before and after application of the
surface using just sufficient force to remove the laitance and compound to the specimen. Total time for application shall not
glaze without scarifying the mortar surface. If surface water exceed 2 min. Weigh to the nearest 0.1 g (M2). If the final
appears after brushing, return the specimen to the cabinet but amount of curing compound applied differs from the calculated
immediately remove the specimen upon the disappearance of amount for the specified coverage by more than 10 %, the
the surface water brought to the surface by the brushing sample shall be discarded.
operation, and brush again. The mortar shall be free of surface
NOTE 11—In previous versions of this test method, coverage was
water but shall not be dry below the surface. The proper surface
determined by weighing the application equipment and the curing
condition will be attained when brushing does not bring free compound before and after application to the specimen. Which method is
water to the surface, or produce smearing, and can be deter- more precise has not been established.
mined by gently rubbing an area with the finger tip.
11.1.4 Return the specimens to the cabinet without delay.
NOTE 8—The exposure time in the cabinet and the initial moisture loss 11.2 Sheet Materials—Precut the sheet material to be tested
that will result in the proper surface condition is characteristic of the slightly larger than the specimen and seal the sheet material to
curing cabinet used and other testing conditions related to the laboratory
the top flat rim of the mold with sealing compound. Weigh the
performing the test. Uniformity of test surface conditions may be
maintained by setting an expected exposure time or initial moisture loss. sealed specimen to the nearest 0.1 g (M2). Return the speci-
When any test condition is changed (sand, cement, or the like), a new mens to the cabinet without delay.
exposure time or initial moisture loss, or both, shall be determined.
NOTE 12—Unusual loss caused by a leaking mold or a faulty seal may
10.2 When testing liquid membrane-forming compounds, be detected by weighing the specimens 3 to 4 h after application of the
form a V-shaped groove approximately 3 mm (1⁄8 in.) deep and curing material. If one specimen has lost considerably more than the
not more than 3 mm (1⁄8 in.) wide between the edge of the others, this specimen is probably faulty. If only three specimens are being
tested, consider the test invalid (see 14.4).
mortar specimen and the mold. Fill the groove with the sealing
compound. The sealing compound shall not extend more than 12. Determination of Non-Volatile Content of Curing
6 mm (1⁄4 in.) from the edge of the mold onto the surface of the Compounds
specimen.
12.1 Determine the proportion of non-volatile matter in the
NOTE 9—To cut out the groove for sealing, the tip of a pointed trowel, curing compound (NV) in accordance with Test Method
a pointed spatula, a pointed triangular can opener, or a “hawksbill point” D 2369.
ground on the end of a spatula or knife blade have all been reported to be
effective.
13. Duration of Test
11. Application of Curing Materials 13.1 Specimens shall be stored in the test cabinet for 72 h,
11.1 Liquid Membrane-Forming Compounds: then removed, and immediately weighed (M3). Other test times
11.1.1 Calculate the mass of the curing compound to be may be specified by the purchaser.
applied, MA, to the nearest 0.1 g based on the specified
application rate, the total surface area calculated per 7.2, and 14. Calculation
the density of the curing compound determined in accordance 14.1 Loss of Mass:
with Test Method D 1475. If no rate is specified, apply the 14.1.1 For liquid membrane-forming curing compounds
curing compound at the rate of 5.0 m2/L (200 ft2/gal). The calculate the loss of mass from each specimen in grams as
method of application shall be in accordance with the manu- follows:
facturer’s recommendations. ML 5 M1 1 ~NV 3 MA! 2 M3 (1)
11.1.2 Immediately after sealing, weigh the specimen to the
nearest 0.1 g (M1); then uniformly apply the curing compound where:
at the specified rate of application. Application shall be made ML = mass loss of the sample, g,
expeditiously to only one specimen at a time. M1 = mass of the sealed sample, g,
NV = proportion of non-volatile matter in the curing com-
NOTE 10—It is desirable to use a spray booth or a laboratory hood to pound, g,
control overspray and solvent fumes especially for curing compounds that
MA = mass of the curing compound applied, g, = M2 − M1,
are sprayed. However, the velocity of air movement in the vicinity of the

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C 156 – 02a

M2 = mass of the sample immediately after applying 15.1.2 Type of curing material,
curing compound, g, and 15.1.3 Manufacturer’s batch number,
M3 = mass of sample at the conclusion of the test, g. 15.1.4 Quantity of material represented by the sample,
14.1.2 For sheet materials, calculate the loss of water from 15.1.5 Date sampled, and
each specimen in grams as follows: 15.1.6 Source of the sample.
ML 5 M2 2 M3 (2)
15.2 Report the following information regarding the test:
15.2.1 Laboratory sample identification,
14.2 Specimen Area: 15.2.2 Surface area inside the seal and depth of mortar
14.2.1 For liquid membrane-forming compounds, calculate specimens,
the area of the specimen (A) in square millimetres by measur- 15.2.3 Brand of cement used,
ing the dimensions of the surface from the inner edges of the 15.2.4 Proportions of mortar by weight,
seal to the nearest millimetre and applying the appropriate 15.2.5 Method of application (for membrane-forming com-
geometric formula. pounds),
14.2.2 For sheet materials, determine the area of the speci- 15.2.6 Duration of the test,
men (A) in square millimetres by measuring the dimensions of 15.2.7 Range of evaporation rates of test cabinet,
the mortar surface to the nearest millimetre and applying the 15.2.8 Rate of application (membrane-forming com-
appropriate geometric formula. pounds), 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 (3)
16.1 Precision—Efforts to establish a more meaningful
14.4 In a set of three or more specimens, if the difference in measure of the precision of this test method continue. The
moisture loss between the specimen having the greatest loss previous version of this test method, containing some differ-
and that with the least loss exceeds 0.15 kg/m2, the test shall be ences in testing technique, contained a precision statement. The
repeated and the average taken as that of all specimens in the single-operator standard deviation was reported as 0.13 kg/m2
original and repeat tests. If, after the repeat test, it is deter- and the multilaboratory standard deviation as 0.30 kg/m2.6
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 E 178, such value shall be disre- statement on bias is being made.
garded and a new average calculated that does not include such
outlying value. 17. Keywords
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; sheet material for curing concrete
tested:
15.1.1 Manufacturer’s name, address, and brand designa- 6
See Test Method C 156 – 80a, 1987 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol
tion, 04.02.

ANNEX

(Mandatory Information)

A1. STANDARDIZATION OF EVAPORATION RATE IN TEST CABINETS

A1.1 This procedure provides a means for measuring the A1.2.2 Filter Paper—7 cm disks.7
rate of evaporation of water from a standard surface in order to A1.2.3 Absorbent Filler—Absorbent cotton balls.8
characterize a controlled set of environmental conditions A1.2.4 Mold Cover—Stiff cardboard or sheet metal plate
(temperature, humidity, air circulation) by providing a system having the same dimensions as the top of the specimen mold,
which will lose water at a nearly constant rate for a period of and having a 63 mm (21⁄2 in.) diameter hole in its center.
time long enough to establish a characteristic rate. Comparison A1.2.5 Balance—Any balance having a capacity of 200 g or
of results from different positions in the same cabinet can more and a sensitivity and accuracy of 0.01 g or less.
establish whether or not conditions are uniform throughout the
A1.3 Procedure:
cabinet. Comparisons between labs may help to rationalize
differing results. A1.3.1 Fill the permeability cup with the absorbent filler
A1.2 Apparatus: 7
Whatman No. 1, or equivalent, has been found suitable for this purpose.
A1.2.1 Cup—A permeability cup, conforming to the speci- 8
Johnson & Johnson Code 6101, or equivalent, has been found suitable for this
fications of Test Method D 1653. purpose.

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C 156 – 02a
using three cotton balls pulled together to make a uniform L 5 m i 2 mt (A1.1)
sponge. Fill the cup with distilled water, lay a disk of filter
where:
paper over the cup, and complete assembly of the cup. Place
L = cumulative mass loss,
the mold cover on top of an empty specimen mold and fasten mi = initial mass, and
it in place with masking tape. Put the cup in the hole in the mt = mass at time t.
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
interval. A1.5 Precision and Bias:
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

This section identifies the location of changes to this test method that have been incorporated since the last
issue, C 156-02.

(1) Revised specimen mold shape and size requirements in new (2) Revised descriptions of apparatus and procedure in new
paragraph 4.3. paragraphs 4.1, 4.9, 7.2, 9.1, 11.1.1, 14.2.1, and 15.2.2.

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