The most important and perhaps most decisive part of testing cement is the standard-confirming, reproducible preparation, and production of specimens.
The relevant standards, EN-196-1, ISO 679, and ASTM C 109, set out the standardized requirements. While EN 196-1 and ISO 679 are technically equivalent and specify cement and mortar prisms 40x40x160 mm, ASTM C109 differs in several points and uses 50 mm (or 2 inch) cubes.

Standard devices for specimen preparation, e.g. mixer, specimen moulds, and storage in humid and wet conditions, are to be found in the Global Testing Solution catalog from Toni Technik. An excellent example of an innovative solution in this field is the ToniMIX mortar mixer with its automatic sand and water supply facility. The automatic mixing process can be programmed in accordance with the specification of the different standards.

After mixing, the specimen is to be compacted in triple-gang moulds. Toni Technik supplies both the jolting and vibrating tables for this step of specimen preparation in compliance with EN 196-1 and ISO 679.

With a small adaptation for the 50 mm (2 inch) cube moulds, the vibrating table also conforms to ASTM C 109.

After 24 hours humid storing, deforming and 28 days wet storing in a water tank, the cement specimens are ready for compression and flexural tests.

ToniLAB offers a system solution for efficient testing of building materials. The special features are system-programmed tests and optimized material and operating workflows.

Compressive and 3-point flexural tests on 40x40x160 mm prisms are specified in EN 196-1. Typical results are the maximum compressive and flexural strength at break. ASTM C 109 requires compressive tests on 50 mm (2 inch) cubes only.

For standard quality control, Toni Technik supplies ToniPRAX and ToniCOMP V, an optimized testing machine combination for quick and easy switchover between compression (max. load capacity 300kN) and bending (max. load capacity 10kN) tests.

Both machines can be operated with ToniTROL in stand-alone mode or using a PC with the test software testXpert®.

The control unit is designed for efficient and economic compression and bending tests on building materials. The system is used for test data acquisition, processing, and display, for the monitoring and control of the test program, and for test speed control. For use as a stand-alone device, a function-specific keyboard and 4-line LCD-display are integrated. The control unit is extendible by adding on a variety of application software modules (displacement and deformation controlled). Additionally, test analysis with PC and the software testXpert® on other laboratory data recording systems is possible.

The setting behavior characterized by the values “begin of setting” and “end of setting” is a decisive, technological factor for the processing of cement and is usually determined manually with the Vicat needle tester in the time-consuming tests specified in EN 196-3, ASTM C191, and ASTM C359.

In the course of the user-oriented development of building materials with ever new special properties, the number of these tests is increasing constantly and thus becoming a key economic factor. For the product development of cement, retarder,s and accelerators it is of particular importance to save time: this can be done by fully automating testing. The consistent observance of defined environmental conditions (temperature, humidity) are further crucial benefits of the automated measuring method with the ToniSET family of products (Compact, Classic, Expert). As many as 6, 8, and 12 specimens, respectively, can be tested fully automatically with these three devices, optionally at a defined humidity or under water, if desired. The advantage of the underwater test, which is gaining more and more ground as an alternative method for the standards (EN and ASTM), is that the environmental conditions are reproducible in the best possible way.

All three variants are controlled by a MS Windows-based software, with individual test intervals selected for each specimen. The current setting condition of the different specimens can be viewed in the corresponding program windows at any time. The times for the beginning and the end of setting are automatically calculated in accordance with the specifications set after comparison measurements.

Determination of Cement Fineness
 
The specific surface according to Blaine, as specified in EN 196-6 and ASTM C 204, is an indirect measure for the grain size and has a decisive influence on the strength values of cement. Therefore, an exact, simple, and quick determination is paramount during the production process (in the cement mill).

ToniPERM Standard can be deployed as an automatic Blaine apparatus with the small measuring cell in accordance with EN 196-6 and ASTM C 204.

ToniPERM is an automated microprocessor-controlled Blaine device and particularly suitable for the quick determination of operating characteristic values. It consists of a microprocessor control unit and a measuring tower, optionally with one or two enlarged measuring cells (according to Dyckerhoff).

Both devices work with the same operating principle. The powdered material to be tested is compressed to a defined volume in the measuring cell. After the measuring cell has been placed onto the apparatus and the test-specific specimen data entered, the test is carried out and evaluated fully automatically. The Blaine value is calculated from the mean value of a pre-selected number of tests (and, if desired, - and possible with ToniPERM - from two measuring cells).