This British Standard, having been approved by the Cement, Lime and Gypsum Products Industry Standards Committee,

was
published under the authority of the Executive Board on 15 October, 1973.

O British Standards Institution, 1973.

First published May, 1923.

First revision July, 1926.
Second revision June, 1932.
Third revision September, 194 1.
Fourth revision November, 1947.
Fifth revision March, 1958.
Published in metric form as Part 2, October, 1973.

ISBN: 0 580 07757 8

Copyright
Users of British Standards are reminded that copyright subsists in all BSI publications. No part of this publication may be
reproduced in any form without the prior permission in writing of BSI. This does not preclude the free use, in the course of
implementing the standard, of necessary details such as symbols and size, type or grade designations. Enquiries should be
addressed to the BSI Secretariat.

Contract requirements
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Revision of British S t a n d a r d s
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for improvements will be recorded and in due course brought to the n.ottic of the committees charged with the revision of the
standards to which they refer.

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The following BSI references relate to the work on this standard:
Committee reference CEB/l Draft for approval 72113349

Co-operating organizations
The Cement, Lime and Gypsum Products Industry Standards Committee, under whose supervision this British Standard was
prepared, consists of representatives from the following Government departments and scientific and industrial organizations:

*Association of Consulting Engineers *Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors

*British Precast Concrete Federation *Greater London Council
*British Quarrying and Slag Federation Gypsum Products Development Association
British Railways Board *Institution of Civil Engineers
*British Ready Mixed Concrete Association *Institution of Municipal Engineers
*British Steel Industry *Institution of Structural Engineers
*Cement and Concrete Association Institution of Water Engineers
*Cement Makers' Federation *National Federation of Building Trades Employers
Chemical Industries Association *Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
*Concrete Society Limited Sand and Gravel Association of Great Britain
Department of the Environment *Society of Chemical Industry
*Department of the Environment, Building Research Welwyn Hall Research Association
Establishment

The Government department and scientific and industrial organizations marked with an asterisk in the above list, together with
the following, were directly represented on the committee entrusted with the preparation of this British Standard:

Department of the Environment, Transport and Road Royal Institute of British Architects
Research Laboratory Royal Institute of Chemistry
British Transport Docks Board

7310-2.5k-B
 BS 146 : Part 2 : October 1973
UDC 666.943.26:691.542

Specification for

Portland-
blastfurnace
cement

Part 2. Metric units

Amendments issued since publication

Amd. No. 1 Date of issue Text affected

British Standards Institution . 2 Park Street London W I A 2BS

Telephone 01 -6299000
Telex 266933
BS 146 : Part 2 : 1973

Contents
Page Page
Co-operating organizations Inside front cover 8. Setting time
Foreword 2 9. Soundness
10. Sampling
1 1. Facilities for sampling and identifying
Specification 12. Tests and manufacturer's certificates
13. Delivery
1. Scope 3 14. Cement in tropical climates
2. Composition and manufacture of
Portland-blast furnace cement 3
3. Tests 3 Appendix
4 . Fineness 3
5. Chemical colnposition 4 A. Extract from Clause 5 'Chemical
6. Compressive strength 4 composition' of BS 12, 'Portland cement' 7
7. Consistence of standard cernent paste 5

Foreword
This Part of this British Standard has been prepared as a metric version of the current 1958 edition, which is in
imperial units, and also incorporates the amendments t o the 1958 edition, which have been made up t o the date
of publication of this Part 2 , as indicated by marginal notes t o the text.
Furthermore, with the publication of BS 12, 'Portland cement (ordinary and rapid-hardening)', Part 2 , 'Metric
units', and of BS 4550, 'Methods of testing cement', Part 2 , 'dhemical tests', the opportunity has been taken of
replacing the appendices with appropriate cross references t o those standards.
This Part has been prepared in accordance with tlie change t o the metric system in the construction industry,
giving values in terms of S1 units. For further information on SI units, reference should be made t o BS 3763, 'The
International System of units (SI)' and P D 5686, 'The use of SI Units'.
'The values in Part 2 r s m e p t $be eqyyri),ent. of,thg, values in imperial units in BS 146 : 1958, rounded t o
conver~ient numbers. ~ l h o ~the, ~ hy4ues
: i r e not.:x&t equivalents of the imperial ones, this part is not a
technical revision of the siandard.
For the purpose of c4mpliancpwith .ih,e requirementi of this standard, the values in either BS 146 : 1958, or
this Part may be used, pr6ided&.one-setofralwisused consistently.
Pending a future technical revision i t was considered desirable that the contents of the Foreword of the 1958
edition, which was published in imperial units, should be retained in this edition to draw attention t o the
historical background. The substance of the 1958 Foreword is therefore repeated as follows.
'This British Standard has been revised under the authority of the Cement, L i e and Gypsum Products
Industry Standards Committee, in order t o bring it into line with present practice followed in the production and
testing of cement.
In this revision the tensile test has been deleted and a new compressive strength test has been introduced as an
alternative to the vibrated mortar cube test. This new test is carried out on concrete cubes using any aggregate
meeting certain specified requirements. It is considered that the value of the cement is more clearly indicated b y
the results of this concrete cube test than by those of the tensile test. 28 day tests are incIuded in each case.
The figure for the average compressive strength of the mortar cubes in the 7 day strength test has been
increased.
The sieve test has been deleted, and the specific surface test is retained as the better method of testing the
fineness of the cement. This measures the surface area of the particles per unit weight (known as the 'specific
surface'). For the determination of the density of cement in the specific surface test an alternative kerosine
fraction has been included, subject to a specified limit for the change in density of the fraction. The time of wet
mixing in the preparation of mortar cubes has been increased. The water content required for the determination
of both setting timc and soundness has been raised t o one hundred per cent of the water required t o give a paste
of standard consistence. The initial setting time has hem increased.
The temperature allowed during the performance of the various operations required throughout this British
Standard has been raised in order t o bring it into closer conformity with international practice.
The limitations on chemical composition and the sampling procedure have been revised.' d
 BS 146 : Part 2 : 1973

British Standard Specification for

Portland-blastfurnace cement
(not exceeding 65 % blastfurnace slag)
Part 2. Metric units

1. Scope

This Part of this British Standard specifies requirements for the composition, manufacture, sampling a n d testing
of Portland-blastfurnace cement containing not more than 6 5 % b y weight of blastfurnace slag.
NOTE. The titles of the British Standards referred t o in this Standard are given on the inside back cover

0
2. Composition and manufacture of Portland-blastfurnace cement

Portland-blastfurnace cement hereinafter called 'the cement' shall consist of a mixture of Portland cement clinker
and granulated blastfurnace slag. These two materials shall be mixed together by the manufacturer in such
proportions as h e may prefer, subject t o the proviso that in no case shall the proportion of slag exceed 6 5 % b y
weight of the total quantity.
The Portland cement clinker shall b e manufactured by intimately mixing together calcareous or other
lime-bearing material with, if required, argillaceous and/or other silica-, alumina-, or iron oxide-bearing materials,
and burning them at a clinkering temperature. The granulated blastfurnace slag shall then be added t o the
Portland cement clinker and the whole ground together so that the two constituents, namely the Portland cement
clinker and the granulated blastfurnace slag, shall be thoroughly and intimately mixed, and shall produce a
cement capable of complying with the requirements of this British Standard. Portland cement clinker and
granulated blastfurnace slag may also b e ground separately, and intimately mixed together. No materials other
than gypsum (or its derivatives), or water, or both, shall be added* during the grinding of the Portland cement
clinker and granulated blastfurnace slag.

3. Tests

The sample o r samples taken as described in Clause 10 shall be tested in the manner specified for:
(1) fineness,
(2) chemical composition,
(3) compressive strength,
(4) setting time,
(5) soundness.

4. Fineness

The cement shall b e tested for fineness by the method described in Appendix A of BS 12 : Part 2 : 1971 and shall
have a specific surface of not less than 225 m 2 /kg.

As added
*'ov. 1962 * However, traces of metallic iron from the grinding process are not to be regarded as an addition.
,w
 BS 146 : Part 2 : 1973

5. Chemical composition

AS altered l l i e chemical composition of the Portland cement clinker portion of the mixture shall comply where applicable
Apr. 1960 with the requirements of BS 12, and the purchaser shall have the right to take samples of the clinker being used in
the manufacture of the cement. An extract from BS 12 giving the relevant requirements for chemical composition
is given in Appendix A.
The cement as a whole shall comply with the following requirements as to its chemical composition.

5.1 Insoluble residue. The mass of insoluble residue, as determined by the method described in 3.1 of
BS 4550 : Part 2 : 1970, shall not exceed 1.5 %.

5.2 Magnesia. The mass of magnesia shall not exceed 7.0 %.

5.3 Sulphuric anhydride. The mass of sulphuric anhydride shall not exceed 3.0 % and the mass of sulphur
present as sulphide shall not exceed 1.5 %, these percentages combined being equivalent to a ~ n a x i m u mtotal of
6.75 % b y mass of sulphuric anhydride.

5.4 Loss on ignition. The total loss on ignition shall not exceed 3.0 % by mass in temperate climates or 4.0 %
by mass in tropical climates.

6. Compressive strength

The cement shall be tested for compressive strength by one of the following two methods as agreed b y the
vendor* and the purchaser at the time of placing the order.
In the event of a dispute, a re-test shall be carried o u t in the presence of representatives of the two parties
concerned. When Method 2 is employed the aggregate to be used in the re-test shall be agreed b y both parties. If
an aggregate cannot be agreed then Method 1 shall be used.

Method I . The average compressive strength of three mortar cubes, prepared, stored and tested in the manner
described in Appendix C of BS 12 : Part 2 : 1971 shall be:

3 days (72 ?r 1 h) not less than IS MN/m2, -' ,' '- ,.'* ,-
I

7 days (168 + 2 h) shall show an increase on the compressive

strength a t 3 days and be not less than
..
23 MN/mZ, c 2.2 4.- - ' a

AS altered 28 days shall show an increase on the compressive

Mar. 196 7 strength a t 7 days and be not less than
34 MN/m2. ,.-. , ;.gJ, A.

Method 2. The average compressive strength of three concrete cubes, prepared, stored and tested in the
manner described in Appendix D of BS 12 : Part 2 : 197 1 ,shall be:
,
,
3 days (72 + 1 h) not less than 8 MN/m2, f12 "-' " , . .- '

7 days (168 + 2 11) shall show an increase on the compressive

strength at 3 days and be n o t less than
14 MN/m2, . .

As altered 28 days shall show an increase on the compressive

Mar. 196 7 strength at 7 days and be not less than
22 MN/m2. , -
; , -

* The term 'vendor' in this standard means the seller of the cemcnt, whether he be the manufacturer of the cement or not
 BS 146 : Part 2 : 1973
7 . Consistence of standard cement paste

The quantity of water needed t o produce a paste of standard consistence shall be ascertained b y the method
described in Appendix E of BS 12 : Part 2: 1971.

8. Setting time

The setting time of the cement, when tested by the method described in Appendix F of BS 12 : Part 2 : 1971
shall be as follows.

Initial setting time not less than 4 5 min.

Final setting time not more than 1 0 h.

9. Soundness

The cement, when tested for soundness b y the method described in Appendix G of BS 12 : Part 2 : 1971 shall
ef?. not have an expansion of more than 1 0 mm.
If the cement fails t o comply with this requirement, a further test shall be made in the manner described in
Appendix G of BS 12 : Part 2 : 1971. For this test another portion of the same sample shall be used after it has
been aerated by being spread out t o a depth of 7 0 m m t o 8 0 mm at a relative humidity of 5 0 % t o 8 0 % for a
total period of 7 days. The expansion of this aerated sub-sample shall not exceed 5 mm.

10. Sampling

If a sample is required for testing it shall be taken b y the purchaser or his representative. The sample shall be
taken within one week of delivery of the cement, stored in a dry and clean airtight container and tested within
four weeks of delivery.

10.1 Selection of samples. Ei,ach sample for testing shall have a mass of at least 7 kg and shall be truly
representative of the consignment, or part of a consignment, sampled. The sample shall consist of a mixture of at
least 12 equal sub-samples taken from places evenly spaced throughout the consignment, or part of a
consignment, sampled. Sub-samples of bulk cement shall be taken from the bulk container, or containers, during
filling or emptying. For cement in bags, drums or other packages, not more than one sub-sample shall be taken
from any one bag, drum or other package. Where there are fewer than 12 bags, drums or other packages t o be
u sampled, one sub-sample shall be taken from each.

11. Facilities for sampling and identifying

When a sample of cemen,t for testing is t o be taken on the premises of the vendor, he shall afford every facility
and provide all labour and materials for taking and packing the sample, and, as far as possible, for subsequen'tly
identifying the cement sampled.
NOTE. It is recognized that there may sometimes be difficulty in satisfying the last requirement since it may not b e possible t o
identify a particular lot of cement after it has been placed with other cement in a silo o n the user's site.

12. Tests and manufacturer's certificates

The manufacturer shall satisfy himself that the cement at the time of its delivery complies with the requirements
of this British Standard and, if requested, shall forward a certificate t o this effect t o the purchaser or his
representative. Any consignment, o r part of a consignment, which, when sampled according t o Clause 10, does
not satisfy the whole of the test and analytical requirements specified above, shall be deemed not t o comply with
the requirements of this British Standard.
L If the purchaser or his representative requires independent tests, the samples shall, a t the option of the
BS 146 : Part 2 : 1973

purchaser or his representative, be taken before or immediately after delivery and the tests shall be carried out in
accordance with this British Standard on the written instructions of the purchaser or his representative. If the
vendor so desires, he or his representative shall be present at the sampling. The manufacturer shall supply, free of
charge, the cement required for testing. Unless otherwise specified in the enquiry and order, the cost of the tests
shall be borne as follows:
(1) by the manufacturer if the results show that the cement does not comply with the requirements of this
standard;
(2) by the purchaser if the results show that the cement complies with the requirements of this standard.

13. Delivery

Unless otherwise agreed between the purchaser and the vendor, the cement shall be packed in bags, of which
there shall be 20 to the tonne, bearing the manufacturer's name or registered mark. The number of bags to the
tonne or the approximate mass of the cement shall be legibly marked on each bag.

14. Cement in tropical climates

The temperatures specifically referred to in Appendices C, D, E, F and G of BS 12 : Part 2 : 1971 are applicable
to temperate climates. Cement intended for use in tropical climates may be tested at temperatures exceeding
20 "C but not exceeding 35 "C*. When so tested, cement satisfying the requirements herein specified for
temperate climates shaU be deemed to comply with the requirements of this British Standard.

* When cement is tested at temperatures above 20 OC the setting time and strength requirements may be altered by agreement
between the purchaser and the vendor. It should be noted that an increase in the testing temperature reduces the setting time
and increases the compressive strength.
 BS 146 : Part 2 : 1973

Appendix A

Extract from Clause 5 'Chemical composition' of BS 12, 'Portland cement'

'The chemical composition of the cement shall comply with the following requirements.

5.1 Lime saturation factor. The lime saturation factor (L.S.F.) shall be not greater than 1.02 nor less than 0.66
when calculated by the formula:

(CaO) - 0.7 (SO3)

L.S.F. =
2.8 (Si02) + 1.2 (A1203) + 0.65 (FezOs)

where each symbol in brackets refers to the percentage (by weight of total cement) of the oxide, excluding any
contained in the insoluble residue referred to in 5.2.

5.2 Insoluble residue. The weight of insoluble residue, as determined by the method described in Appendix B,
shall not exceed 1.5 %.

5.3 Magnesia. The weight of magnesia contained in the cement shall not exceed 4.0 %.
BSI publications referred to in this standard
This standard makes reference to the following British Standards:

BS 12 Portland cement (ordinary and rapid-hardening)

BS 4550 Methods of testing cement
Part 2. Chemical tests