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IS 4034:1988 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for method of test for fineness of hydraulic cement by blaine air permeability apparatus. This document outlines the testing method to determine the fineness of hydraulic cement utilizing the Blaine air permeability apparatus. It measures the specific surface area of the cement, a crucial property that directly influences the hydration rate, heat evolution, and strength development of concrete.
Specifies the method for determining the fineness of hydraulic cement in terms of specific surface by the Blaine air permeability apparatus.
Standard Test Methods for Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by Air-Permeability Apparatus
Defines the method for determining cement fineness using the Blaine air-permeability apparatus.
EN 196-6:2018CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Methods of testing cement - Part 6: Determination of fineness
Specifies the method for determining cement fineness, including the air permeability method (Blaine).
BS EN 196-6:2019BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
HighCurrent
Methods of testing cement. Determination of fineness
The UK's adoption of the European standard EN 196-6 for determining cement fineness.
AS 2350.8-2006Standards Australia, Australia
HighWithdrawn
Methods of testing Portland and blended cements - Fineness by the air permeability method (Blaine)
Describes the Australian method for determining the fineness of cement using the Blaine apparatus.
Key Differences
≠The standard test temperature differs significantly. IS specifies 27 ± 2 °C, while ASTM C204 uses 23 ± 2 °C and EN 196-6 uses 20 ± 2 °C.
≠IS and ASTM methods require calculating the mass of cement needed to achieve a constant bed porosity of 0.500. In contrast, EN 196-6 uses a constant mass of cement (equal to its density) and then calculates the resulting porosity for the formula.
≠The calculation formula in EN 196-6 explicitly requires the viscosity of air at the test temperature, whereas IS and ASTM methods incorporate the viscosity into the apparatus constant 'K' which is determined during calibration.
≠IS 4031 (the method standard associated with IS 4034) requires a second determination if the first result is suspect, and a third if the first two differ by more than 2% of their mean. ASTM C204 mandates two separate determinations for each sample, which must agree within specified limits.
Key Similarities
≈All standards are based on the same physical principle: the relationship between the surface area of particles in a porous bed and the resistance to fluid flow through it (Kozeny-Carman equation).
≈The apparatus used is functionally identical across the standards, known as the Blaine air-permeability apparatus, consisting of a permeability cell, a plunger, and a manometer.
≈All methods require calibration of the apparatus using a reference material of known specific surface area to determine an apparatus-specific constant.
≈The primary experimental measurement in all procedures is the time taken for a fixed volume of air to pass through the compacted cement bed, as measured by the fall of liquid in the manometer.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Standard Test Temperature
27 ± 2 °C
20 ± 2 °C
EN 196-6
Standard Test Temperature
27 ± 2 °C
23 ± 2 °C
ASTM C204
Porosity (e) of Compacted Bed
0.500 ± 0.005 (fixed)
0.500 ± 0.005 (fixed)
ASTM C204
Sample Mass Preparation
Mass is calculated to achieve a fixed porosity of 0.500.
A constant mass is used and the actual porosity is calculated.
EN 196-6
Number of Determinations
One, with a second required if results are suspect or differ by >2% mean.
Two separate determinations are required for each test.
ASTM C204
Manometer Fluid
Dibutyl phthalate or light mineral oil
Dibutyl phthalate or other non-volatile, non-hygroscopic liquid of low viscosity and density
ASTM C204
Calibration Standard
Standard cement from a recognized national testing authority
NIST Standard Reference Material (SRM)
ASTM C204
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values4
Quick Reference Values
Standard bed porosity (e)0.500 ± 0.005
Test room temperature27 ± 2 °C
Relative humidityNot exceeding 65%
Unit of Specific Surfacem²/kg or cm²/g
Key Formulas
S = (Ss * √T) / √Ts — Specific surface area calculation (simplified for constant porosity)
W = p * V * (1 - e) — Weight of sample required to achieve standard bed porosity
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Apparatus and Equipment
Clause 5 - Preparation of Sample
Clause 6 - Calibration of Apparatus
Clause 7 - Test Procedure
Clause 8 - Calculation of Specific Surface
Frequently Asked Questions3
What is the primary unit of measurement for cement fineness?+
Fineness is expressed as specific surface area in square meters per kilogram (m²/kg) or square centimeters per gram (cm²/g).
What porosity value should be targeted for the compacted cement bed?+
A standard porosity (e) of 0.500 ± 0.005 is generally maintained for Portland cements.
Why does fineness matter in cement?+
Higher fineness provides a greater surface area for the hydration reaction, leading to faster strength gain but also higher early heat of hydration.