ASTM C1218/C1218M-20

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Designation: C1218/C1218M − 17 C1218/C1218M − 20
Standard Test Method for
Water-Soluble Chloride in Mortar and Concrete
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1218/C1218M; 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*
1.1 This test method provides procedures for the sampling and analysis of hydraulic-cement mortar or concrete for chloride that
is water soluble under the conditions of test.
1.2 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory information. These notes and footnotes
shall not be considered as requirements of this standard.
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as a standard. Within the text, the
inch-pound units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall
be used independently of the other.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C42/C42M Test Method for Obtaining and Testing Drilled Cores and Sawed Beams of Concrete
C114 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
C823C823/C823M Practice for Examination and Sampling of Hardened Concrete in Constructions
C1084 Test Method for Portland-Cement Content of Hardened Hydraulic-Cement Concrete
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
E832 Specification for Laboratory Filter Papers
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology C125.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Water-soluble chloride, if present in sufficient amount, is capable of initiating or accelerating the corrosion of some metallic
materials embedded in or contacting cementitious mixtures such as mortar and concrete. Chloride content, along with other factors,
can be indicators for the possibility of corrosion of embedded metallic materials. This test method is used to determine the
water-soluble chloride content in cementitious mixtures, either in new construction or existing structures.
NOTE 1—Water-soluble chloride content can vary with time. For example, water-soluble chloride content could increase due to additional chloride
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregatesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.69 on
Miscellaneous Tests.
Current edition approved May 1, 2017June 1, 2020. Published July 2017July 2020. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 20152017 as
C1218/C1218M – 15.C1218/C1218M – 17. DOI: 10.1520/C1218_C1218M-17. 10.1520/C1218_C1218M-20.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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C1218/C1218M − 20
ingress. Alternatively, water-soluble chloride content could decrease due to chloride-binding or leaching.
4.1.1 Test conditions are capable of affecting water-soluble chloride determinations. Take caution when comparing results from
this test method with those from other test methods.
4.2 Sulfides are known to interfere with the determination of chloride content. Blast-furnace slag aggregates and cements
contain sulfide sulfur in concentrations that are capable of such interference and produce erroneously high test results. Treatment
with hydrogen peroxide, as discussed in Test Methods C114, is used to eliminate such interference.
4.3 There are aggregates that contain chloride that is not available for corrosion. Such chloride will be detected by use of this
test method.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Sampling Equipment:
5.1.1 The apparatus required for obtaining samples by coring or sawing is described in Test Method C42/C42M.
5.1.2 Use the following apparatus for sampling by drilling (pulverization):
5.1.2.1 Rotary impact drill or drill with pulverizing bits.
5.1.2.2 Spoon or other suitable means to collect without contamination pulverized sample material produced by drilling.
5.1.2.3 Sample containers capable of maintaining samples in an uncontaminated state.
5.2 Sample Processing Apparatus—The apparatus required for processing samples shall be chosen for its suitability for the
purposes of the investigation, and frequently includes a concrete saw and one or more pulverizers.
5.2.1 Samples more than 25 mm [1 in.] in maximum dimension shall be reduced in size by use of a jaw crusher or broken into
smaller pieces by hammering carefully to avoid loss of smaller pieces.
5.2.2 Crush particles less than 25 mm [1 in.] in maximum dimension using a rotating-puck grinding apparatus, or by using a
disc pulverizer, or mortar and pestle operated to restrict to negligible levels the loss of fine particles.
5.2.3 The 850-μm [No. 20](No. 20) sieve shall comply with Specification E11.
5.3 The apparatus required for the chloride determination step is given as the reference test method for chloride in Test Methods
C114.
5.4 Glazed paper to minimize adherence of fine particles for use as described in 7.18.1.
6. Reagents
6.1 The reagents required for the chloride determination are given in the reference test method for chloride of Test Methods
C114.
7. Sampling
7.1 Select the sample as required for the purpose of the investigation (Note 2).
NOTE 2—Because of the small nominal maximum size of the aggregate in a mortar, pieces of mortar having a mass of at least 10 g will be more
representative of a much larger volume of mortar than would an equivalently sized sample of concrete. Practice C823C823/C823M may be used as a guide
for sampling.
7.1.1 Take concrete cores in accordance with Test Method C42/C42M unless otherwise specified (Note 3):
NOTE 3—Concrete cores taken in accordance with Test Method C42/C42M may be cut longitudinally to provide a 12-mm [ ⁄2-in.] thick section
generally representative of the core, or cut laterally into 12-mm [ ⁄2-in.] thick discs representative of the concrete core at various depths. Experience has
shown that the cooling water from core cutting will not dissolve a significant amount of the chloride.
7.1.2 Powdered concrete obtained by use of a rotary impact drill is frequently useful in determining chloride concentration with
depth in bridge decks and pavements. When the nominal maximum coarse aggregate size is 25 mm [1 in.] or more such samples
are unrep
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