IS 9103:2016 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for admixtures for concrete - specification. This standard specifies the requirements for various types of chemical admixtures used in concrete. It covers classification, physical and chemical properties, performance criteria, sampling, and conformity assessment for plasticizers, superplasticizers, retarders, and other specialty admixtures to ensure concrete quality and performance.
Specifies requirements for various types of chemical admixtures used in concrete to modify its properties, essential for marine concrete.
Quick Reference — IS 9103:2016 Concrete Admixture Limits
Dosage ranges, water-reduction performance, set-time effects, chloride caps and acceptance ratios for plasticisers, superplasticisers, retarders and accelerators.
| Reference | Value | Clause |
|---|
| Plasticiser — typical dosage range | 0.3 – 1.5 % by mass of cement | Cl. 4.1.1 |
| Superplasticiser — typical dosage range | 0.5 – 2.5 % by mass of cement | Cl. 4.1.2 |
| Water reduction — plasticiser (min) | 5 % | Cl. 6.2 (Table 1) |
| Water reduction — superplasticiser (min) | 12 % | Cl. 6.2 (Table 1) |
| Water reduction — high-range water reducer (typical achievable) | 20 – 30 % | Cl. 6.2 (Table 1) |
| Air entrainment (max — for non-air-entraining types) | ≤ 2.0 % above control | Cl. 6.2 (Table 1) |
| Air-entraining agent — entrained air (typical) | 4 – 7 % total air | Cl. 6.2 (Table 1) |
| Time of setting — initial (max retardation) | +90 minutes (relative to control) | Cl. 6.2 (Table 1) |
| Time of setting — accelerator (max acceleration) | −60 minutes (relative to control) | Cl. 6.2 (Table 1) |
| Compressive strength — 7-d ratio (min, plasticiser) | 100 % of control | Cl. 6.2 (Table 1) |
| Compressive strength — 28-d ratio (min) | ≥ 90 % of control | Cl. 6.2 (Table 1) |
| Bleeding — relative to control (max) | 100 % | Cl. 6.2 (Table 1) |
| Total chloride content (max in admixture) | 0.2 % by mass of admixture (PCC); RCC stricter | Cl. 6.1 |
| Chloride contribution from admixture — max (RCC) | ≤ 0.1 % by mass of cement | Cl. 6.1 |
| Density (typical liquid admixture) | 1.05 – 1.20 kg/L | Cl. 4 / report on label |
| Solid content (declared, ± tolerance) | ± 5 % of declared value | Cl. 7.2 |
| pH range (typical) | 5 – 8 (varies by chemistry) | Cl. 4 / report on label |
| Shelf life (typical declared) | 6 – 12 months | Cl. 8 |
| Drying shrinkage (max increase vs control) | + 25 % at 28 days | Cl. 6.2 (Table 1) |
| Length change — autoclave expansion (max) | Within control mortar limits | Cl. 6.2 (Table 1) |
⚠ Test method values align with IS 1199. Verify Table 1 numbering — sub-rows for each admixture type may differ slightly across reprints.
Overview
- Status
- Current
- Usage level
- Frequently Used
- Domain
- Materials Science — Coastal and Marine Engineering
- Type
- Specification
- Amendments
- Amendment 1 (May 2018)
Also on InfraLens for IS 9103
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Always conduct trial mixes with job-specific materials (cement, aggregates) before finalizing admixture dosage, as performance can vary significantly.
! Check the admixture's compatibility with the specific type of cement being used, especially with blended cements, to avoid unexpected issues like rapid stiffening or delayed setting.
! Pay close attention to the chloride content of the admixture, particularly for reinforced and prestressed concrete, to prevent long-term corrosion of steel reinforcement.
Frequently referenced clauses
Updates & Amendments1 amendment
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
concrete admixturesplasticizerssuperplasticizersretardersacceleratorsconcrete
International Equivalents
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International Comparison — Coming Soon
We're adding equivalent international standards for this code.
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Minimum water reduction for Normal Plasticizer5%
Minimum water reduction for Superplasticizer12%
Initial setting time for Retarding Admixture (min)+60 minutes over control mix
Final setting time for Retarding Admixture (max)+360 minutes over control mix
Max Chloride Ion Content for Prestressed/Reinforced Concrete use0.05 % by mass of admixture
Max pH value variation for uniformity±1.0 from reference sample
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Requirements for Concrete Admixtures
Table 2 - Optional Requirements for Admixtures
Table 3 - Uniformity of Admixtures — Permissible Difference
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Classification
Clause 8 - Requirements
Clause 9 - Performance Requirements
Clause 10 - Uniformity
Clause 11 - Sampling
Clause 13 - Marking
Frequently Asked Questions4
What is the main difference between a plasticizer and a superplasticizer according to this code?+
A plasticizer must provide a minimum water reduction of 5%, while a superplasticizer must provide a minimum of 12% at the same workability (Table 1).
Does this code specify the dosage of the admixture?+
No, it specifies performance requirements. The manufacturer must state the recommended dosage range, but the optimal dosage must be determined by site-specific trial mixes (Clause 12.1 e).
What is the maximum permissible chloride ion content in an admixture for RCC?+
The manufacturer must declare the chloride content. For admixtures to be used in prestressed or reinforced concrete, it's advisable to specify a very low limit, often below 0.05% by mass of admixture, to comply with overall chloride limits in IS 456.
How is the uniformity of different batches of an admixture checked?+
By testing a new batch against a reference sample for properties like dry material content, ash content, and specific gravity, ensuring the variation is within the limits specified in Table 3.
QA/QC Inspection Templates
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QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.