Cement: Autoclave Test

Cement: Autoclave Test:

The 25 × 25 × 250 mm specimen is made with neat cement paste. After 24 hours the moulded specimen is removed from the moist atmosphere, measured for length, and so placed in an autoclave at room temperature that the four tides of each specimen are at least exposed to saturated steam. The temperature of the autoclave is raised at such a rate that the gauge pressure of the steam rises to 2.1 N/mm² in 1 to 1 ¼ hours from the time the heat is turned on. The pressure is maintained for 3 hours. Then the heat supply is shut off and the autoclave is cooled at such a rate that the pressure is less than 0.1N/mm² at the end of the hour. The autoclave is then opened and the test specimens are placed in water at temperature of 90 o C.The temperature is gradually brought down to 27±2 o C in 15 minutes. The specimens are maintained at this temperature for next 15 minutes and are then taken out. The length of the specimen is measured again. The difference in the two measurements gives the unsoundness of the cement.