Standard Specification for

Portland Cement

AASHTO Designation: M 85-201

Technical Subcommittee: 3a, Hydraulic Cement and Lime
Release: Group 1 (April)
ASTM Designation: C150/C150M-20

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

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Washington, DC 20004

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 Standard Specification for

Portland Cement

AASHTO Designation: M 85-201

Technical Subcommittee: 3a, Hydraulic Cement
and Lime
Release: Group 1 (April)
ASTM Designation: C150/C150M-20

1. SCOPE
1.1. This specification covers ten types of portland cement as follows (see Note 1):

1.1.1. Type I—For use when the special properties specified for any other type are not required;

1.1.2. Type IA—Air-entraining cement for the same uses as Type I, where air entrainment is desired;

1.1.3. Type II—For general use, more especially when moderate sulfate resistance is desired;

1.1.4. Type IIA—Air-entraining cement for the same uses as Type II, where air entrainment is desired;

1.1.5. Type II(MH)—For general use, more especially when moderate heat of hydration and moderate
sulfate resistance are desired.

1.1.6. Type II(MH)A—Air-entraining cement for the same uses as Type II(MH), where air entrainment is
desired.

1.1.7. Type III—For use when high early strength is desired;

1.1.8. Type IIIA—Air-entraining cement for the same use as Type III, where air entrainment is desired;

1.1.9. Type IV—For use when low heat of hydration is desired; and

1.1.10. Type V—For use when high sulfate resistance is desired.

Note 1—Some cements are designated with a combined type classification, such as Type I/II,
indicating that the cement meets the requirements of the indicated types and is being offered as
suitable for use when either type is desired.

1.2. When both SI and inch-pound units are present, the SI units are the standard. The inch-pound units
are approximations listed for information only.

1.3. The text of this standard references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These
notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements
of the standard.

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 2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
2.1. AASHTO Standards:
 M 327, Processing Additions for Use in the Manufacture of Hydraulic Cements
 R 71, Sampling and Amount of Testing of Hydraulic Cement
 R 80, Determining the Reactivity of Concrete Aggregates and Selecting Appropriate
Measures for Preventing Deleterious Expansion in New Concrete Construction
 T 105, Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement
 T 106M/T 106, Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortar (Using 50-mm or 2-in.
Cube Specimens)
 T 107M/T 107, Autoclave Expansion of Hydraulic Cement
 T 131, Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement by Vicat Needle
 T 137, Air Content of Hydraulic Cement Mortar
 T 153, Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by Air Permeability Apparatus
 T 154, Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement Paste by Gillmore Needles
 T 186, Early Stiffening of Hydraulic Cement (Paste Method)

2.2. ASTM Standards:

 C33/C33M, Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates
 C51, Standard Terminology Relating to Lime and Limestone (as used by the Industry)
 C226, Standard Specification for Air-Entraining Additions for Use in the Manufacture of Air-
Entraining Hydraulic Cement
 C452, Standard Test Method for Potential Expansion of Portland-Cement Mortars Exposed to
Sulfate
 C563, Standard Test Method for Approximation of Optimum SO3 in Hydraulic Cement
 C1038/C1038M, Standard Test Method for Expansion of Hydraulic Cement Mortar Bars
Stored in Water
 C1702, Standard Test Method for Measurement of Heat of Hydration of Hydraulic

--`,,,`,``````,,``,,`,,`-`-``,```,,,`---
Cementitious Materials Using Isothermal Conduction Calorimetry
 E29, Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance
with Specifications

3. TERMINOLOGY
3.1. Definitions:

3.1.1. portland cement—a hydraulic cement produced by pulverizing clinker, consisting essentially of
hydraulic calcium silicates, and usually containing one or more of the following:
 water,
 calcium sulfate,
 up to 5 percent limestone, and
 processing additions.

3.1.2. air-entraining portland cement—a portland cement containing an interground air-entraining

addition.

3.1.3. hydraulic cement—a cement that sets and hardens by chemical interaction with water and is
capable of doing so under water.

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 4. ORDERING INFORMATION
4.1. Orders for material under this specification shall include the following:

4.1.1. This specification number and date;

4.1.2. Type or types allowable. If no type is specified, Type I shall be supplied;

4.1.3. Any optional chemical requirements from Table 2, if desired; and

4.1.4. Any optional physical requirements from Table 4, if desired.

Note 2—Cement conforming to the requirements for all types is not carried in stock in some
areas. In advance of specifying the use of other than Type I cement, determine whether the
proposed type of cement is, or can be made, available.

5. INGREDIENTS
5.1. The cement covered by this specification shall contain no ingredients except as follows:

5.1.1. Portland Cement Clinker.

5.1.2. Water or Calcium Sulfate or Both—The amounts shall be such that the limits shown in Table 1 for
sulfur trioxide and loss on ignition shall not be exceeded.

Table 1—Standard Chemical Requirementsa

Applicable I and II and II(MH) and III and
Cement Type Test Method IA IIA II(MH)A IIIA IV V
Aluminum oxide (Al2O3), max, % T 105 — 6.0 6.0 — — —
Ferric oxide (Fe2O3), max, % T 105 — 6.0 c 6.0b, c — 6.5 —
Magnesium oxide (MgO), max, % T 105 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
Sulfur trioxide (SO3),d max, % T 105
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, % T 105

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, % T 105 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
Equivalent alkalis (Na2O + 0.658 K2O), % T 105 g g g g g g

Tricalcium silicate (C3S), e max, % See Annex A — — — — 35 b

—
Dicalcium silicate (C2S), e min, % See Annex A — — — — 40b —
Tricalcium aluminate (C3A), e max, % See Annex A — 8 8 15 7b 5c
Sum of C3S + 4.75C3A, max, % h — — 100b, i — — —
Tetracalcium aluminoferrite plus twice the tricalcium See Annex A — — — — — 25c
aluminate (C4AF + 2(C3A)), or solid solution
(C4AF + C2F), as applicable, max, %
a
See Note 2.
b
Does not apply when the cement complies with the heat of hydration limit in Table 4.
c
Does not apply when the sulfate resistance limit in Table 4 is specified.
d
It is permissible to exceed the values in the table for SO3 content, provided it has been demonstrated by ASTM C1038/C1038M that the cement with the
increased SO3 will not develop expansion exceeding 0.020 percent 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 A for calculation.
f
Not applicable.
g
Report equivalent alkalis as part of the manufacturer’s certification. See Note 5.
h
See Note 6.
i
In addition, 3-day heat of hydration testing by ASTM C1702 shall be conducted at least once every 6 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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 5.1.3. Limestone—The amount shall be not more than 5.0 percent by mass such that the chemical and
physical requirements of this standard are met (see Note 4). The limestone, defined in ASTM C51,
shall be naturally occurring and consist of at least 70 percent by mass of one or more of the
mineral forms of calcium carbonate. If limestone is used, the manufacturer shall report the amount
used, expressed as a percentage of cement mass, as determined using Annex B, along with the
oxide composition of the limestone.
Note 3—This standard permits portland cement to contain limestone, but does not require that
limestone be an ingredient in the cement. Cement without ground limestone can be specified in the
contract or order.

5.1.4. Inorganic Processing Additions—The amount shall not be more than 5.0 percent by mass of
cement. Not more than one inorganic processing addition shall be used at a time. For amounts
greater than 1.0 percent, they shall have been shown to meet the requirements of M 327 for
inorganic processing additions in the amount used or greater. If an inorganic processing addition is
used, the manufacturer shall report the amount used, expressed as a percentage of cement mass,
along with the oxide composition of the processing addition (see Note 5).
Note 4—These requirements are based on data and recommendations by Taylor. 1

5.1.5. Organic Processing Additions—These additions shall have been shown to meet the requirements
of M 327 in the amounts used or greater, and the total amount of organic processing additions
used shall not exceed 1.0 percent of the weight of portland cement clinker.

5.1.6. Air-Entraining Addition (for Air-Entraining Portland Cement Only)—The interground addition
shall conform to the requirements of ASTM C226.

6. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
6.1. Portland cement of each of the ten types shown in Section 1 shall conform to the respective
standard chemical requirements prescribed in Table 1. In addition, optional chemical requirements
are shown in Table 2.
Note 5—The standard composition requirements in Table 1 require reporting of equivalent
alkalis. Cements with a maximum of 0.60 percent equivalent alkalis were historically designated
as “low-alkali cements” and recommended for use with aggregates susceptible to alkali–silica
reaction (ASR). However, low-alkali cements (in the absence of other mitigation measures) may
not be effective in mitigating ASR. Guidance on formulating concrete mixtures, including
calculating alkali loading using equivalent alkali content of cement to minimize the potential for
ASR, is provided in R 80.
Note 6—The limit on the sum, C3S + 4.75C3A, in Table 1 provides control on the heat of
hydration of the cement and is consistent with an ASTM C1702 3-day heat of hydration limit of
315 kJ/kg (75 cal/g).
Note 7—There are cases where performance of a cement is improved with SO3 in excess of the
Table 1 limits in this specification. ASTM C563 is one of several methods a manufacturer can use
to evaluate the effect of sulfate content on cement characteristics. Whenever SO3 content of a
cement exceeds Table 1 limits, ASTM C1038/C1038M results provide evidence that excessive
expansion does not occur at this higher sulfate content.

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 Table 2—Optional Chemical Requirementsa
Applicable III
Test and
Cement Type Method IIIA Remarks
Tricalcium aluminate (C3A),b See For moderate sulfate
8
max, % Annex A resistance
Tricalcium aluminate (C3A),b See
5 For high sulfate resistance
max, % Annex A

a
These optional requirements apply only if specifically requested. Availability should be verified. See Note 2.
b
See Annex A for calculation.

7. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
7.1. Portland cement of each of the ten types shown in Section 1 shall conform to the respective
standard physical requirements prescribed in Table 3. In addition, optional physical requirements
are shown in Table 4.

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 Table 3—Standard Physical Requirements
Applicable
Test
Cement Typea Method I IA II IIA II(MH) II(MH)A III IIIA IV V
Air content of T 137
mortar,
volume, %b
Maximum 12 22 12 22 12 22 12 22 12 12
Minimum — 16 — 16 — 16 — 16 — —
Fineness, specific
surface, m2/kg
Air permeability T 153
test:
Minimum 260 260 260 260 260 260 — — 260 260
Maximum — — — — 430c 430c — — 430 —
Autoclave T 107M/T 107
expansion, 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80 0.80
Max, %
Strength, not less
than value shown for
ages indicated
belowd:
Compressive T 106M/
strength, MPa T 106
(psi)
1 day — — — — — —
12.0 10.0
— —
(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)

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,
minutes (alternative
methods): e
Gillmore test: T 154
Initial set,
minutes, 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60
not less than
Final set,
minutes, 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600
not more than
Vicat test:f T 131
Time of setting, 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 45
minutes, not
less than
Time of setting, 375 375 375 375 375 375 375 375 375 375
minutes, not
more than
a
See Note 2.
b
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 + 4.75C3A 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 purchaser should specify the type of setting-time test required. In case he does not so specify, the requirements of the Vicat test only shall govern.
f
The time of setting is that described as initial setting time in T 131.

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 Table 4—Optional Physical Requirementsa
Applicable IA and III and
Cement Type Test Method I and II IIA II(MH) II(MH)A IIIA IV V
Early Stiffening, final penetration, T 186 50 50 50 50 50 50 50
minimum, percent
Heat of hydration
Isothermal conduction ASTM C1702
calorimetry:
3 days, max, kJ/kg (cal/g) — — 335 (80)b 335 (80)b — 200 (50)c —
7 days, max, kJ/kg (cal/g) — — — — — 225 (55)c —
Strength, not less than values
shown:
Compressive strength, T 106M/ 28.0 22.0 28.0 22.0 — — —
MPa (psi), 28 days T 106 (4060) (3190) (4060) (3190)
Sulfate resistance, 14 days, ASTM C452/
—e —e —e —e — — 0.040
max, % expansiond C452M
a
These optional requirements apply only if specifically requested. Availability should be verified. See Note 2 in Section 4.
b
The limit for the sum of C3S + 4.75C3A 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 used 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 required of Type II and Type II (MH).

8. SAMPLING
8.1. When the purchaser desires that the cement be sampled and tested to verify compliance with this
specification, sampling and testing should be performed in accordance with R 71.

8.2. R 71 is not designed for manufacturing quality control and is not required for manufacturer’s
certification.

9. TEST METHODS
9.1. Determine the applicable properties enumerated in this specification in accordance with the
following methods:

9.1.1. Air Content of Mortar—T 137;

9.1.2. Chemical Analysis—T 105;

9.1.3. Strength—T 106M/T 106;

9.1.4. Early Stiffening—T 186;

9.1.5. Fineness by Air Permeability—T 153;

9.1.6. Heat of Hydration—ASTM C1702;

9.1.7. Autoclave Expansion—T 107M/T 107;

9.1.8. Time of Setting by Gillmore Needles—T 154;

9.1.9. Time of Setting by Vicat Needles—T 131;

9.1.10. Sulfate Expansion—ASTM C452/C452M; and

TS-3a M 85-7 AASHTO

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 9.1.11. Calcium Sulfate (Expansion of) Mortar—ASTM C1038/C1038M.

10. INSPECTION
10.1. Inspection of the material shall be made as agreed on between the purchaser and the seller as part
of the purchase contract.

11. REJECTION
11.1. The cement may be rejected if it fails to meet any of the requirements of this specification.

11.2. At the option of the purchaser, retest, before using, cement remaining in bulk storage for more
than 6 months or cement in bags in local storage in the custody of a vendor for more than
3 months after completion of tests. Reject the cement if it fails to conform to any of the
requirements of this specification. Cement so rejected shall be the responsibility of the owner of
record at the time of resampling for retest.

11.3. Packages shall identify the mass contained as net weight. At the option of the purchaser, packages
more than 2 percent below the mass marked thereon shall be rejected. If the average mass of

--`,,,`,``````,,``,,`,,`-`-``,```,,,`---
packages in any shipment, as shown by determining the mass of 50 packages selected at random,
is less than that marked on the packages, the entire shipment shall be rejected.

12. MANUFACTURER’S STATEMENT

12.1. At the request of the purchaser, the manufacturer shall state in writing the nature, amount, and
identity of any air-entraining addition and of any processing addition that may have been used, and
also, if requested, shall supply test data showing compliance of such air-entraining addition with
the provisions of ASTM C226, and of any such processing addition with M 327.

12.2. When limestone is used, the manufacturer shall state in writing the amount thereof and,
if requested by the purchaser, shall supply comparative test data on chemical and physical
properties of the cement with and without the limestone (see Note 8). The comparative tests do not
supersede the normal testing to confirm that the cement meets chemical and physical requirements
of this standard. The amount of limestone in cement shall be determined in accordance with
Annex B.
Note 8—Comparative test data may be from qualification tests performed by the
manufacturer during formulation of the cement with limestone.

12.3. At the request of the purchaser, the manufacturer shall report the chloride content as determined
using T 105, in percent by mass of the cement in the manufacturer’s report (see Note 9).
Note 9—Chlorides in concrete come from multiple ingredients, and cement chloride content may
be required to estimate concrete chloride content. Requirements for concrete chloride content are
provided in building codes and other documents.

13. PACKAGING AND PACKAGE MARKING

13.1. When the cement is delivered in packages, the words “portland cement,” the type of cement, the
name and brand of the manufacturer, and the mass of the cement contained therein shall be plainly
marked on each package. When the cement is an air-entraining type, the words “air entraining”
shall be plainly marked on each package. Similar information shall be provided in the shipping

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 documents accompanying the shipment of packaged or bulk cement. All packages shall be in good
condition at the time of inspection.
Note 10—With the change to SI units, it is desirable to establish a standard SI package for
portland cements. To that end, 42 kg (92.6 lb) provides a convenient, even-numbered mass
reasonably similar to the traditional 94-lb (42.6-kg) package.

14. STORAGE
14.1. The cement shall be stored in such a manner as to permit easy access for proper inspection and
identification of each shipment, and in a suitable weather-tight building that will protect the
cement from dampness and minimize warehouse set.

15. MANUFACTURER’S CERTIFICATION

15.1. Upon request of the purchaser in the contract or order, a manufacturer’s report shall be furnished
at the time of shipment stating the results of tests made on samples of the material taken during
production or transfer and certifying that the cement conforms to applicable requirements of this
specification.
Note 11—Guidance on preparing the manufacturer’s report is provided in Appendix X1.

16. KEYWORDS
16.1. Hydraulic cement; portland cement; specification.

ANNEX A
(Mandatory Information)

A1. CALCULATION OF POTENTIAL CEMENT PHASE COMPOSITION

A1.1. All values calculated as described in this annex shall be rounded according to ASTM E29. When
evaluating conformance to a specification, round values to the same number of places as the
corresponding table entry before making comparisons. The expressing of chemical limitations by
means of calculated assumed phases does not necessarily mean that the oxides are actually or
entirely present as such phases.

A1.2. When expressing phases, C = CaO, S = SiO2, A = Al2O3, F = Fe2O3. For example, C3A =
3CaO·Al2O3. Titanium dioxide and phosphorus pentoxide (TiO2 and P2O5) shall not be included
with the Al2O3 content. See Note A1.
Note A1—When comparing oxide analyses and calculated phases from different sources or from
different historic times, be aware that they may not have been reported on exactly the same basis.
Chemical data obtained by Reference and Alternate Test Methods of T 105 (wet chemistry) may
include titania and phosphorous as alumina unless proper correction has been made (see T 105),
while data obtained by rapid instrumental methods usually do not. This can result in small
differences in the calculated phases. Such differences are usually within the precision of the
analytical methods, even when the methods are properly qualified under the requirements of
--`,,,`,``````,,``,,`,,`-`-``,```,,,`---

T 105.

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 A1.3. When the ratio of percentages of aluminum oxide to ferric oxide is 0.64 or more, the percentages
of tricalcium silicate, dicalcium silicate, tricalcium aluminate, and tetracalcium aluminoferrite
shall be calculated from the chemical analysis as follows:
tricalcium silicate (C3S) = ( 4.071× % CaO ) − ( 7.600 × % SiO 2 ) −
( 6.718 × % Al2 O3 ) − (1.430 × % Fe2 O3 ) − (A1.1)
( 2.852 × % SO3 )

dicalcium silicate (C 2S) = (2.867 × % SiO 2 ) − (0.7544 × % C3S) (A1.2)

tricalcium aluminate (C3 A) = (2.650 × % Al 2 O3 ) − (1.692 × % Fe 2 O3 ) (A1.3)

tetracalcium aluminoferrite (C 4 AF) = 3.043 × % Fe 2 O3 ) (A1.4)

When the alumina-ferric oxide ratio is less than 0.64, a calcium aluminoferrite solid solution
(expressed as ss(C4AF + C2F)) is formed. No tricalcium aluminate will be present in cements
of this composition. Dicalcium silicate shall be calculated as in Equation A1.2. Contents of this
solid solution and of tricalcium silicate shall be calculated by the following formulas:

--`,,,`,``````,,``,,`,,`-`-``,```,,,`---
ss ( C4 AF + C2 F ) = ( 2.100 × % Al2 O3 ) + (1.702 × % Fe 2 O3 ) (A1.5)

tricalcium silicate (C3S) = ( 4.071× % CaO ) − ( 7.600 × % SiO 2 ) −

( 4.479 × % Al2 O3 ) − ( 2.859 × % Fe2 O3 ) − (A1.6)
( 2.852 × % SO3 )

A1.4. If no limestone or inorganic processing additions are used in the cement, or in the absence of
information on limestone or inorganic processing additions used in the cement, phases shall be
calculated using procedures in Equations A1.1 to A1.6 without adjustment.

A1.5. In the absence of information on limestone or inorganic processing additions content, results shall
note that no adjustment has been made for possible use of limestone or inorganic processing
additions.

A1.6. When inorganic processing additions, limestone, or both are used with the base cement (portland
cement clinker and any added calcium sulfate), the contents of C3S, C2S, C3A, and C4AF shall be
adjusted as follows:

The percentage of C3S, C2S, C3A, and C4AF in the base cement (see Note A2) shall be determined
based on chemical analyses using methods in T 105 and using Equations A1.1 to A1.6 as
appropriate. The contents of each of these phases shall be adjusted to account for the use of
limestone or inorganic processing additions as follows:
(100 − L − P)
X=
f Xb × (A1.7)
100
where:
Xb = the percentage by mass of C3S, C2S, C3A, or C4AF in the base cement (portland cement
clinker and any calcium sulfate);
L = the percentage by mass of limestone;
P = the percentage by mass of inorganic processing addition; and
Xf = the percentage by mass of C3S, C2S, C3A, or C4AF in the finished cement.

TS-3a M 85-10 AASHTO

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 The adjusted values for the finished cement shall be reported on the manufacturer’s report.
Note A2—When the oxide analysis of the finished cement, the limestone, and inorganic
processing addition are known along with the mass percentage of limestone (L) and mass
percentage of inorganic processing addition (P), one method of determining the base cement oxide
composition is to use the following equation:
O
=b { }
100 × O f − ( L / 100 ) × Ol  − ( P / 100 ) × O p  / (100 − L − P )

where:
Ob = the base cement oxide content (% by mass of base cement);
Of = the finished cement oxide content (% by mass of finished cement);
Ol = the limestone oxide content (% by mass of limestone); and
Op = the inorganic processing addition oxide content (% by mass of inorganic processing
addition).

The base cement phase composition can be determined using these values of oxide analyses in
Equations A1.1 to A1.6. Equation A1.7 is used to calculate the adjusted phase composition.
Note A3—For example, where the cement includes 3.5 percent limestone and 3.0 percent of an
inorganic processing addition and the base cement has 60 percent C3S, 15 percent C2S, 7 percent
C3A, and 10 percent C4AF, the adjusted phase composition is:

60 × (100 − 3.5 − 3.0)

=C 3S f = 56%
100

15 × (100 − 3.5 − 3.0)

=C 2S f = 14%
100

7 × (100 − 3.5 − 3.0)

=C3 A f = 7%
100

10 × (100 − 3.5 − 3.0)

=C4 AFf = 9%
100

--`,,,`,``````,,``,,`,,`-`-``,```,,,`---
Only the percentages of C3S, C2S, C3A, and C4AF shall be adjusted by the procedure in
Section A1.6.1.

TS-3a M 85-11 AASHTO

Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Order Number: 02292937
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 ANNEX B
(Mandatory Information)

B1. LIMESTONE CONTENT OF PORTLAND CEMENT

B1.1. When limestone is used, the limestone content in portland cement shall be derived from the
determination of CO2 in the finished cement. Analysis of CO2 shall be based on methods described
in T 105. The percent limestone in the cement is calculated from the CO2 analysis based on the
CO2 content of the limestone used. The limestone content of the cement is calculated as follows:
% CO 2 in the cement
× 100 =
% limestone in cement (B1.1)
% CO 2 in the limestone

Note B1—For example, where the determined CO2 content in the finished cement equals
1.5 percent and the CO2 content of the limestone equals 43 percent (CaCO3 in limestone equals
98 percent), then:
1.5
× 100 =
3.5% limestone content in cement
43

B1.2. This specification requires that the limestone to be used must contain a minimum of 70 percent
CaCO3. The manufacturer shall include the CaCO3 content of the limestone on the manufacturer’s
report. Calculate the CaCO3 content of the limestone as follows: % CaCO3 = 2.274 × % CO2.
Note B2—For verification of limestone content of cement, the purchaser must analyze for CO2
content and make a correction for the content of CaCO3 in the limestone in order for the data to be
comparable to the manufacturer’s report.

B1.3. Portland cements that do not contain limestone can contain baseline levels of CO2 inherent in
manufacture, for example, due to carbonation. This baseline CO2 content is included as part of any
calculated limestone content.

APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. MANUFACTURER’S CERTIFICATION (MILL TEST REPORT)

X1.1. To provide uniformity for reporting the results of tests performed on cements under this
specification, as required by Section 15 of M 85, Manufacturer’s Certification, an example Mill
Test Report is shown in Figure X1.1.

X1.2. The identity information given should unambiguously identify the cement production represented
by the Mill Test Report and may vary, depending on the manufacturer’s designation and
purchaser’s requirements.

X1.3. The Manufacturer’s Certification statement may vary, depending on the manufacturer’s
procurement order or legal requirements, but should certify that the cement shipped is represented
by the certificate and that the cement conforms to applicable requirements of the specification at
the time it was tested (or retested) or shipped.

TS-3a M 85-12 AASHTO

Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Order Number: 02292937
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 X1.4. The sample Mill Test Report has been developed to reflect the chemical and physical requirements
of this specification and recommends reporting all analyses and tests normally performed on
cements meeting M 85. Purchaser reporting requirements should govern if different from normal
reporting by the manufacturer or from those recommended here.

X1.5. Cements may be shipped prior to later-age test data being available. In such cases, the test value
may be left blank. Alternatively, the manufacturer can generally provide estimates based on
historical production data. The report should indicate if such estimates are provided.

X1.6. In reporting limits from the tables in M 85 on the Mill Test Report, only those limits specifically
applicable should be listed. In some cases, M 85 table limits are superseded by other provisions.

X1.7. When limestone or inorganic processing additions or both are used in the cement, additional data
are reported by the manufacturer. An example additional data report is shown in Figure X1.2.

TS-3a M 85-13 AASHTO

Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Order Number: 02292937
Provided by IHS Markit under license with AASHTO © 2020 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
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 ABC Portland Cement Company
Qualitytown, NJ
Plant: Example Cement Type: II(MH) Date: March 9, 20xx
Production Period: March 2, 20xx–March 8, 20xx

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS
M 85
CHEMICAL PHYSICAL
Item Spec. Limit Test Result Item Spec. Limit Test Result
SiO2 (%) a
20.6 Air content of mortar (volume %) 12 max 8
Al2O3 (%) 6.0 max 4.4 Fineness (m2/kg) 260 min
377
(Air permeability) 430 max
Fe2O3 (%) 6.0 max 3.3
CaO (%) a
62.9 Autoclave expansion (%) 0.80 max 0.04
MgO (%) 6.0 max 2.2 Compressive strength (MPa) Min:
SO3 (%) 3.0 max 3.2 1 day a

Loss on ignition (%) 3.5 max 2.7 3 days 7.0 23.4

Na2O (%) a
0.19 7 days 12.0 29.8
K2O (%) a
0.50 28 days a

Equivalent alkalis, a
0.52
Na2Oeq (%)
Insoluble residue (%) 1.5 max 0.27 Time of setting (minutes)
CO2 (%) a
1.2 (Vicat)
Limestone (%) 5.0 max 3.5 Initial Not less than 45 124
CaCO3 in limestone (%) 70 min 79 Not more than
375
Inorganic processing 5.0 max 3.0
addition (ground,
granulated blast-furnace
slag)
Potential phase Heat of hydration (kJ/kg)
compositions (%)b ASTM C1702
C3S a
59 3 days c
245
C2S a
10 ASTM C1038 mortar bar expansion (%) d
0.010e
C3A 8 max 5
C4AF a
10

C4AF + 2(C3A) a
20

C3S + 4.75 C3A, (%) 100 max 83

a
Not applicable.
b
Adjusted per Annex A1.6.
c
Test result represents most recent value and is provided for information only.
d
Required only if percent SO3 exceeds the limit in Table 1, in which case expansion shall not exceed 0.020 percent at 14 days.
e
Test result for this production period not available. Most recent test result provided.

OPTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
M 85
CHEMICAL PHYSICAL
Item Spec. Limit Test Result Item Spec. Limit Test Result
Chloride (%) f
0.020 Early Stiffening (%) 50 min 82
f
Limit not specified by purchaser. Test result provided for information only. Compressive strength (MPa)
28 days 28.0 min 39.7e

We certify that the above-described cement, at the time of shipment, meets the chemical and physical requirements of
M 85-xx or (other) ____________________ specification.

Signature: Title:

Figure X1.1—Example Mill Test Report

TS-3a M 85-14
--`,,,`,``````,,``,,`,,`-`-``,```,,,`---
AASHTO
Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Order Number: 02292937
Provided by IHS Markit under license with AASHTO © 2020 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
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 ABC Portland Cement Company
Qualitytown, NJ

Plant: Example Cement Type: II(MH) Date: March 9, 20xx

Production Period: March 2, 20xx–March 8, 20xx

Additional Data

Limestone Inorganic Processing Addition Data

Type — Ground, Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag
Amount (%) 3.5 3.0
SiO2 (%) 12.9 33.1
Al2O3 (%) 3.0 10.9
Fe2O3 (%) 1.0 1.1

--`,,,`,``````,,``,,`,,`-`-``,```,,,`---
CaO (%) 43.5 44.4
SO3 (%) 0.6 0.2

Base Cement Phase Composition

C3S (%) 63
C2S (%) 11
C3A (%) 5
C4AF (%) 11

We certify that the above-described data represents the materials used in the cement manufactured during the
production period indicated.

Signature: Title:

Figure X1.2—Example Additional Data Report

1
In essential equivalence with ASTM C150/C150M-20.
2
Taylor, P. Specifications and Protocols for Acceptance Tests on Processing Additions in Cement Manufacturing,
NCHRP Report 607, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC, 2008, 96 pp. Available at www.trb.org.

TS-3a M 85-15 AASHTO

Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Order Number: 02292937
Provided by IHS Markit under license with AASHTO © 2020 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
Sold to:AFCONS INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED. [700166106585] - [email protected],
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All rights reserved. Duplication is a violation of applicable law.
Not for Resale,2020-10-08 09:56:43 UTC