ASTM C1708/C1708M-19 - 15.10.2019
 
Significance and Use

4.1 The test methods in this standard are used to evaluate freshly mixed properties such as the initial flow, flow retention, and healing time as well as hardened properties such as compressive strength, setting time, and flexural strength, of self-leveling mortars.

4.2 Tests are conducted under standardized conditions for comparative purposes and results are not intended to be representative of performance under field conditions.

 
1. Scope

1.1 These test methods are appropriate to evaluate the performance of self-leveling mortars containing hydraulic cements that are used to improve the levelness, smoothness, and flatness of existing floors. These materials may be used as an underlayment to receive floor finishes, or as an overlayment to serve as the wear surface. The self-leveling mortars covered by these test methods consist of proprietary blends of hydraulic cements, along with fine aggregate, polymers, fillers, and other additives.

1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. (Warning—Fresh hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause chemical burns to skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.)2

1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

 
2. Referenced Documents

C191-26

Standard Test Methods for Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement by Vicat Needle

C305-20

Standard Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency

C490-07

Standard Practice for Use of Apparatus for the Determination of Length Change of Hardened Cement Paste, Mortar, and Concrete

C670-24ae1

Standard Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials (Includes all amendments and changes 2/21/2025).

E691-23

Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

C109/C109M-26a

Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 50 mm [2 in.] Cube Specimens) (Includes all amendments and changes 7/30/2026).

C1107/C1107M-26

Standard Specification for Packaged Dry, Hydraulic-Cement Grout (Nonshrink)

C348-21

Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Hydraulic-Cement Mortars

C778-26

Standard Specification for Standard Sand

C928/C928M-25

Standard Specification for Packaged, Dry, Rapid-Hardening Cementitious Materials for Concrete Repairs

C125-26

Standard Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates

C1005-20

Standard Specification for Reference Masses and Devices for Determining Mass and Volume for Use in Physical Testing of Hydraulic Cements

C157/C157M-24e1

Standard Test Method for Length Change of Hardened Hydraulic-Cement Mortar and Concrete (Includes all amendments and changes 10/14/2024).