Designation: C 796 – 04

Standard Test Method for

Foaming Agents for Use in Producing Cellular Concrete
Using Preformed Foam1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 796; 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 Test Specimens in the Laboratory

1.1 This test method furnishes a way of measuring, in the C 495 Test Method for Compressive Strength of Light-
laboratory, the performance of a foaming chemical to be used weight Insulating Concrete
in producing foam (air cells) for making cellular concrete. C 496/C 496M Test Method for Splitting Tensile Strength
1.2 This test method includes the following: of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
1.2.1 Manufacture of laboratory quantities of cellular con- C 511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets,
crete. Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the
1.2.2 Determination of the air content of the freshly pre- Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes
pared cellular concrete and of the hardened concrete after C 802 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Test Pro-
handling in conventional machinery. gram to Determine the Precision of Test Methods for
1.2.3 Determination of the following properties of the Construction Materials
hardened concrete: compressive strength, tensile splitting C 869 Specification for Foaming Agents Used in Making
strength, density, and water absorption. It may not be necessary Preformed Foam for Cellular Concrete
to study all of the above properties in all cases, depending on 3. Terminology
the proposed use of the material.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 3.1 Definitions:
as the standard. 3.1.1 cellular concrete—a lightweight product consisting of
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the portland cement, cement-silica, cement-pozzolan, lime-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the pozzolan, or lime-silica pastes, or pastes containing blends of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- these ingredients and having a homogeneous void or cell
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- structure, attained with gas-forming chemicals or foaming
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. agents (for cellular concretes containing binder ingredients
1.5 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes other than, or in addition to portland cement, autoclave curing
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes is usually employed).3 In cellular concrete the density control
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered is achieved by substituting macroscopic air cells for all or part
as requirements of the standard. of the fine aggregate. Normal-weight coarse aggregate is
usually not used but lightweight aggregates, both fine and
2. Referenced Documents coarse, are often utilized in cellular concrete.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 3.2 Symbols:
C 88 Test Method for Soundness of Aggregates by Use of
Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate D ex1 = experimental density of the concrete before
C 150 Specification for Portland Cement pumping, lb/ft3(kg/m3)
C 192/C 192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Dex2 = experimental density of the concrete after pump-
ing, lb/ft3(kg/m3)
1
Dth = theoretical density of the plastic mix based on
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
absolute volume, lb/ft3(kg/m 3)
C09.23 on Chemical Admixtures. Dd = design density of the text mixture, lb/ft3(kg/m3)
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2004. Published November 2004. Originally SGC = specific gravity of cement = 3.15
approved in 1974. Last previous edition approved in 1997 as C 796 – 97.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on ACI Committee 116, “Cement and Concrete Terminology,” American Concrete
the ASTM website. Institute, Publication SP-19, 1967, p. 144.

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 C 796 – 04

T = time required to overfill the container, min 6.6 Strike-Off Plate for Molds—A 1⁄4-in. (6-mm) thick, flat
T1 = time required to generate 1 ft3(1 m3) of foam, min steel plate at least 8 in. (200 mm) longer and 2 in. (50 mm)
V = volume of foam container, ft3(m3) wider than the diameter of the mold.
Va = volume of air required in the test batch, ft3(m3) 6.7 Scales—Scales and weights shall be accurate to within
Vc = volume of test specimen (cylinder), ft3(m3) 0.1 % of the weight of the material being measured.
Vf = volume of foam in the test batch, ft3(m3) 6.8 Compression Machines—Compression testing ma-
Vw = volume of water absorbed by test specimen in 24 chines used for compressive strength tests and tensile-splitting
h, ft3(m3) strength tests shall conform to the requirements of Test
W1 = net weight of foam in overfilled container before Methods C 495 and C 496/C 496M, respectively.
striking off, lb (kg) 6.9 Drying Oven—The drying oven shall be as described in
W2 = net weight of foam in container after striking off, Test Method C 88.
lb (kg) 6.10 Compressed Air—A source of compressed air capable
Wc = weight of cement in the test batch, lb (kg)
of maintaining pressures in the range of 60 to 100 psi (0.4 to
Wf = weight of foam in the test batch, lb (kg)
W TW = total weight of water in the test batch, including 0.7 MPa) to 61 psi (60.007 MPa).
weight of foam, lb (kg) 6.11 Weighing Container for Concrete— A machined-steel
W uf = density of foam, lb/ft3(kg/m 3) container of 0.5 ft3(0.014 m3) volume with a flat smooth rim.
Ww = weight of water added to test batch at mixer, lb 6.12 Strike-Off Plate for Weighing Container—A 1⁄4-in.
(kg) (6-mm) thick, flat steel plate, at least 8 in. (200 mm) longer and
2 in. (50 mm) wider than the diameter of the rim of the
4. Summary of Test Method weighing container.
4.1 This test method includes the following: 6.13 Stop Watch—A stop watch graduated in seconds and
4.1.1 Manufacture of laboratory quantities of cellular con- minutes.
crete. 6.14 Calipers—Calipers to span 3, 6, and 12 in. (76, 152,
4.1.2 Determination of the air content of freshly prepared and 305 mm).
cellular concrete and of hardened concrete after handling in 6.15 Foam Weighing Container—A lightweight vessel of
conventional machinery. approximately 2 ft3(0.06 m3) capacity, with a smooth rim for
4.1.3 Determination of the following properties of hardened striking off.
concrete: compressive strength, tensile splitting strength, den- 6.16 Strike-Off Plate for Foam Weighing Container—A
1⁄4-in. (6-mm) thick, flat steel plate at least 8 in. (200 mm)
sity, and water absorption. It may not be necessary to study all
of the above properties in all cases, depending on the proposed longer and 2 in. (50 mm) wider than the diameter of the rim of
use of the material. the container.
6.17 Small Tools—Small tools such as a rubber-headed
5. Significance and Use hammer and a trowel shall be provided.
5.1 This test method is used to develop data for comparison
7. Materials and Proportions
or compliance with the requirements of Specification C 869.
7.1 Cement—The cement used shall be Type I or Type III
6. Apparatus portland cement meeting the requirements of Specification
6.1 Mixer—The mixer shall be a power-driven paddle-type C 150.
mixer with a capacity of at least 4 ft3(0.12 m 3), an operating 7.2 Water-Cement Ratio—The water requirement will vary
speed of 40 to 50 r/min (4.2 to 5.2 rad/s), and equipped with with the type and source of cement. For the purpose of these
rubber wiper blades. tests, w/c = 0.58 for Type I cement and w/c = 0.64 for Type III
6.2 Foam Generator—The foam generator shall be a cement shall be used. However, if a particular cement or
laboratory-sized generator approved by the manufacturer of the foaming agent used with these values of w/c does not produce
foam being used and shall be similar to the type used in the a satisfactory mix, a trial mix or mixes may be made using a
field. different water-cement ratio.
6.3 Pump—The pump shall be an open or closed throat-type 7.3 Batch Quantities—The cement quantity shall be suffi-
pump and shall be run at 260 to 630 r/min (27.2 to 66.0 rad/s). cient to allow molding all the test specimens from one test
The pump shall be equipped with a 4.5-ft3(0.13-m 3)“ feed” batch. The mixture water-cement ratio determined from 7.2
reservoir and 50 ft (15 m) of open-end 1-in. (25-mm) inside shall be used to make the test batch.
diameter rubber hose on the pump discharge, the exit end of the 7.3.1 The foaming solution in the foam shall be considered
hose being at the same height as the pump. as part of the total mixing water. Foam volume shall be
6.4 Curing Cabinet—The curing cabinet shall be as de- adjusted for the batch to produce a density after pumping of 40
scribed in Specification C 511. 6 3 lb/ft3(641 6 48 kg/m3).
6.5 Molds—The cylindrical molds for compression test
specimens shall be as described in the Apparatus section of 8. Procedure
Test Method C 495. The molds for all other test specimens 8.1 Make an aqueous solution of the foaming agent in the
shall conform to the cylinder molds in the Apparatus section of dilution specified by the manufacturer. If the dilution is not
Practice C 192/C 192M. specified, preliminary tests are necessary to determine the

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 C 796 – 04
required dilution. A suggested starting point for such tests is 40 Weigh the full container. Calculate the density of the concrete
parts water to 1 part foaming agent, by volume. and record as the density before pumping (D ex1).
8.2 Charge the foam generator with the amount of foaming 8.7.1 Pump the batch of concrete through the 50-ft (15-m)
solution suggested by the manufacturer of the generator. hose, discharging it into a sampling basin. From the sampling
8.3 Connect the generator with the source of compressed basin, take a second density sample as in 8.7, weigh, and record
air, adjusting the pressure to that recommended by the manu- as the density after pumping (Dex 2).
facturer of the foaming agent being tested. 8.8 Molding—Immediately, fill the cylinder molds with
8.4 Using the stop watch, calibrate the generator as follows. concrete from the sampling basin. Tap the sides of the mold
Weigh the empty foam container and determine its volume. with the rubber hammer while the mold is being filled. The
Overfill the container with foam, measuring the time required minimum number of specimens required is four cylinders, 3 by
using a stop watch then weigh. Strike off the excess foam, 6 in. (76 by 152 mm) and ten cylinders 6 by 12 in. (152 by 305
holding the strike-off plate in a horizontal position (plane of the mm).
plate horizontal) and moving it across the top of the container 8.8.1 As soon as possible after casting, strike off the top
with a sawing action. Again weigh. Calculate the time required surface of each specimen and cover the specimen with a plastic
per cubic foot (or cubic metre) of foam using the following bag to prevent evaporation, without marring the surface.
equation: 8.9 Removal from Molds and Curing— Follow the appli-
T1 5 ~T 3 W 2!/~W1 3 V! (1) cable requirements of the Test Specimen section of Test
Method C 495 with the following exception: continue air
8.4.1 Calculate also the unit weight of the foam as follows: drying from day 25 to day 28 in place of oven drying the
Wuf 5 W 2/V (2) specimens. Do not oven dry specimens that are to be load-
tested.
8.4.2 Calculate the length of time required to generate the
required volume of foam, Vf T1, as follows: 8.10 Compressive Strength—Test four 3 by 6-in. (76 by
152-mm) cylinders for compressive strength in accordance
VfT1 5 62.4 V aT1/~62.4 2 W uf! ~VfT1 5 1000 VaT1/~1000 2 Wuf!! with Test Method C 495.
(3)
8.11 Tensile Splitting Strength—Test four 6 by 12-in. (152
8.4.3 Calculate the weight, W f, of the required volume of by 305-mm) cylinders for tensile splitting strength at age 28
foam, VfWuf. days in accordance with Test Method C 496/C 496M, for
lightweight concrete.
NOTE 1—The weight of the foam will usually range from 2 to 4 lb/ft3
(32 to 64 kg/m3) depending on the foam chemical used. Adjust the unit 8.12 Oven-Dry Weight—Determine the oven-dry density in
weight of foam, Wuf, to the manufacturer’s recommendation if the foam accordance with the section on Oven-Dry Weight of Test
generator is adjustable. Method C 495. Use three 6 by 12-in. (152 by 305-mm)
cylinders from 7.9 at age 28 days.
8.4.3.1 If Type I cement is used, weigh out 58.0 – Wf lb
(26.31 – Wf kg) of water, Ww, and 100.0 lb (45.36 kg) of Type 8.13 Water Absorption:
I cement. 8.13.1 Take three 6 by 12-in. (152 by 305-mm) specimens
8.4.3.2 If Type III cement is used, weigh out 64.0 – Wf lb from 8.9 at age 28 days. Take the dimensions with calipers as
(29.03 – Wf kg) of water, Ww, and 100.0 lb (45.36 kg) of Type described in the Test Specimen Section of Test Method C 495.
III cement. 8.13.2 Submerge the specimens 6 in. (150 mm) below the
water surface. Maintain the water temperature at 73.5 6 3.5 °F
8.5 Wet the mixer with water and drain. Add the water, Ww,
(23.0 6 2.0 °C). Remove from water, allow excess water to run
and start the mixer. Gradually add the cement (over a period of
1⁄2 min). With a trowel, break up any lumps of undispersed off (30 s) and weigh. This is the wet weight of the specimen.
cement. Mix for 5 min.
9. Calculation
8.6 While still mixing, add V f ft3(m3) of foam. The required
foam time is VfT1. Mix for 2 min after all the foam has been 9.1 Air Content:
added. Discharge the mixer into the pump feed reservoir. 9.1.1 Determine the experimental density of the freshly
Immediately, proceed to 8.7. mixed concrete at the mixer, Dex1, and at the pump discharge
8.7 Weighing—Fill a tared weighing container with a rep- (end of hose), Dex2, by dividing the net weights of the samples
resentative sample of the concrete in the reservoir. Before from 8.7 and 8.7.1 by the volume of the container. Record to
taking the sample, carefully mix the concrete in the reservoir to the nearest 0.5 lb/ft3(8 kg/m 3).
assure better uniformity without entrapping large air bubbles in 9.1.2 Determine the experimental density of the specimens
the mix. Use a paddle of proper size to reach the bottom of the from 8.12 before and after drying from the weights and
reservoir. Use a scoop to transfer the concrete to the container volumes of the specimens. Use three 6 by 12-in. (152 by
and tap the sides of the container briskly with the rubber 305-mm) cylinders. Record to the nearest 0.5 lb/ft3(8 kg/m3).
hammer during the filling operation. Overfill the container and 9.1.3 Determine the air content of the freshly mixed con-
strike off the excess concrete, holding the strike-off plate in a crete from the experimental densities, before and after pump-
horizontal position (plane of plate horizontal) and moving it ing, and the theoretical density, Dth, based on the absolute
across the top of the container with a sawing motion. Wipe the volume. Record the air content to the nearest 1 %. Calculate
surface of the container free of spilled concrete with a cloth. the theoretical density in lb/ft3(kg/m3) as follows:

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 C 796 – 04
10.1.4 Oven-dry density,
10.1.5 Water absorption, % by volume,
Inch-Pound Units: 10.1.6 Compressive strength,
Dth 5 ~Ww 1 Wc 1 Wf!/[~Ww/62.4! 10.1.7 Loss of air during pumping, %,
1 ~Wc/~SGC 3 62.4!! 1 ~Wf/62.4!# (4) 10.1.8 Tensile splitting strength, and
10.1.9 Difference between design density and experimental
densities before and after pumping.
SI Equivalents:
D th 5 ~Ww 1 Wc 1 W f!/[~Ww/1000! 11. Precision and Bias
1 ~Wc/~SGC 3 1000!! 1 ~Wf/1000!# (5) 11.1 Precision4
9.1.3.1 Calculate the air content before pumping or the 11.1.1 Data used to develop the precision statement were
percent of air at the mixer as follows: obtained using the inch-pound version of this test method. The
Air content before pumping 5 100 [1 2 ~Dex1/Dth!# (6)
precision indices shown in parenthesis are exact conversions of
the values in inch-pound units. Data were obtained from three
9.1.3.2 Calculate the air content after pumping, or the laboratories for one material.
percent of air at end of hose as follows: 11.1.2 Single-Operator Precision—The single-operator
Air content after pumping 5 100 [1 2 ~Dex2/Dth!# (7) standard deviations are listed in the third column of Table 1.
NOTE 2—Using the prescribed procedure and assuming the specific
gravity of cement is 3.15 and that the total water used is 58.0 lb (26.31 kg)
TABLE 1 Single Operator Precision
for Type I cement, the theoretical density is 109.9 lb/ft3(1761 kg/m 3).
Similarly, for Type III cement the total water is 64.0 lb (29.03 kg) and the Acceptable
Avg. of Standard Range of
theoretical density is 106.9 lb/ft3(1712 kg/m 3).
Laboratory Deviation Two Results
9.1.4 Calculate the loss of air during pumping as the Test Averages (1s) (d2s)
difference between the air content before and after pumping. Compressive
Record to the nearest 1 %. Strength,
psi (MPa) 427 (2.9) 61 (0.4) 171 (1.2)
Loss of air, % by volume 5 100 [~D ex2 2 Dex1!/Dth# (8)
Splitting
9.1.5 Calculate the design density ( Dd) of the test mixture Tensile
in lb/ft3(kg/m 3) as follows: Strength,
psi (MPa) 46 (0.3) 9 (0.06) 24 (0.2)

Density,
Inch-Pound Units: lb/ft3 (kg/m3) 31.3 (501) 1.7 (27) 4.8 (77)

Dd 5 ~Ww 1 Wc 1 Wf!/[~Ww/62.4! 1 ~Wc/SGC 3 62.4! 1 V f# (9) Absorption, % 17.8 0.6 1.8

SI Equivalents: Therefore, results of two properly conducted tests by the same

Dd 5 ~Ww 1 Wc 1 Wf!/[~Ww/1000! 1 ~Wc/SGC 3 1000! 1 V f# operator are not expected to differ by more than the values
(10) shown in the fourth column of Table 1.
9.2 Water Absorption: 11.1.3 Multilaboratory Precision—The multilaboratory
9.2.1 Find the average weight of water absorbed by the standard deviations are listed in the third column of Table 2.
cylinders by subtracting the average dry weight of cylinders Therefore, results of two properly conducted tests on the same
(see 8.12) from the average wet weight of cylinders (see 8.13). material by two different laboratories are not expected to differ
Record to the nearest 0.1 lb (or 0.05 kg). by more than the values shown in the fourth column of Table
9.2.2 Find the average volume of water absorbed by divid- 2.
ing the average weight of water absorbed by the density of 11.1.4 The numbers of laboratories and materials used in the
water in lb/ft 3(kg/m3). Determine the water absorption using interlaboratory study do not meet the minimum requirements
the following equation: for determining precision prescribed in Practice C 802. This
precision statement is provisional. Within five years, additional
absorption, % by volume 5 ~Vw/Vc! 3 100 (11) data that meets the requirements of Practice C 802 will be
Record absorption to the nearest 0.5 %. obtained and processed.
11.2 Bias
10. Report 11.2.1 Since there is no accepted reference material for
10.1 Using the degrees of precision specified in Section 9, determining the bias of this test method, no statement on bias
report the following: is made.
10.1.1 Identification of chemical tested, including manufac-
turer’s name, brand, and lot number,
10.1.2 Water to cement ratio and type of cement used, 4
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
10.1.3 Air content before and after pumping, be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:C09–1027.

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 C 796 – 04
TABLE 2 Multilaboratory Precision
Acceptable
Avg. of Standard Range of
Laboratory Deviation Two Results
Test Averages (1s) (d2s)
Compressive
Strength,
psi (MPa) 427 (2.9) 68 (0.5) 190 (1.3)

Splitting
Tensile
Strength,
psi (MPa) 46 (0.3) 8.6 (0.06) 24 (0.2)

Density,
lb/ft3 (kg/m3) 31.3 (501) 2.0 (32) 5.6 (90)

Absorption, % 17.8 0.6 1.8

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. DERIVATION OF FORMULA FOR FOAM VOLUME

X1.1 The formula for foam volume required for the test Va 5 ~0.359 WTW 1 0.7965 W c!/641 m 3 (X1.4)
batch may be derived as follows:
X1.2 The air volumes required for the test batches are as
X1.1.1 Knowing the wet density, 40 lb/ft3 (641 kg/m3),
follows:
calculate the volume of air required as follows:
Type of Cement Va, ft3(m3)

Type I 2.51 (0.071)

Inch-Pound Units: Type III 2.57 (0.073)

Wet density, 40 lb/ft3 5 ~WTW 1 Wc!/ X1.3 Treating the diluted foam chemical as water (sp
@~WTW/62.4! 1 ~W c/~3.15 3 62.4!! 1 Va# gr = 1) the following relationships between air volume and
(X1.1) foam volume may be stated:
Vf 5 Va 1 ~Wf/62.4!/ft 3 or Vf 5 Va 1 ~Wf/1000!/m 3
(X1.5)
SI Equivalents:
X1.4 If Wuf is the unit weight of foam, then Wf = Wu f 3 Vf
Wet density, 641 kg/m3 5 ~W TW 1 Wc!/ and the equation in X1.3 may be stated in the following
@~WTW/1000! 1 ~W c/~3.15 3 1000!! 1 Va# manner:
(X1.2)
Vf 2 ~WufVf/62.4! 5 Va ft 3 or Vf 2 ~WufVf/1000! 5 Vam 3
X1.1.2 Solving for the volume of air required in cubic feet (X1.6)
(or cubic metres):
Vf 5 Va/[1 2 ~W uf/62.4!#/ft3 or
Vf
Inch-Pound Units: 5 Va/[1 2 ~W uf/1000!#/m3, and (X1.7)
3
Vf 5 62.4 Va/~62.4 2 Wuf!/ft or Vf 5 1000 Va/~1000 2 W uf!/m 3
Va 5 ~0.359 WTW 1 0.7965 Wc!/40 ft 3 (X1.3)
(X1.8)
SI Equivalents:

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 C 796 – 04

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