Product Description
Fundamentals of the Le Chatelier test for determine the cement soundness
The test procedure consists of subjecting a sample of cement to a controlled heating, then measure its expansion for estimate the possible risk of late expansion due to hydration of free magnesium calcium oxides.
The test procedure indicates filling two Le Chatelier molds with cement paste (from the same mixing batch), and dip them in a water thermostatic bath.
The water in the thermostatic bath is heated from 20 ° C to boiling in 30 minutes, along a uniform temperature rise ramp. After the thirty minutes, the cement specimens must be maintained for 3 hours with smooth boiling.
Once boiling time is finished, the moulded samples are taken and measured the distance between tips of the arms of the mold.
The distance between the tips is compared against the distance at 20 celsius degrees.
European standards for receipt of cements indicate that the opening of Le Chatelier mold should not be greater than 10 mm.
Robustness and reliability.
The IBERTEST thermostatic Le Chatelier bath performs the heating process automatically and with excellent temperature control, to always get correct results, both reliable and repeatable.
The great sensitivity of this equipment allows to maintain a gentle boil without significant decrease in the level of water in the Le chatelier bath.
The Le chatelier bath vessel comprises a double bucket with intermediate air gap. The inner is made of stainless steel extremely resistant to corrosion to the alkalinity of the water.
The outer housing is made of sheet steel, painted with epoxy resin, very resistant.
Inside it houses an armored immersion heater, 4500 W of power and a temperature probe PT-100, for a very accurate measurement of the water temperature.
At the bottom of the vessel is placed a perforated plate allowing free circulation of water inside the bathroom. The perforated plate tray serves as support for Le Chatelier molds and to protect both the resistance and temperature probe.
The tray has a cover made of stainless steel, with two handles made of insulating material to avoid risk of burns to the user.
At the back, the bath has a drain tap for emptying and cleaning regularly.
The temperature rise ramp and the maintenance of the boiling temperature are controlled, in a closed loop, by means of a PT-100 probe and an electronic module with PID control. The closing frequency of the control loop is 10 ms (100 times per second).
The control module has a touch keyboard and an LCD screen for programming and monitoring the test.
Information about water temperature, elapsed time, test cycle section, detected alarms, etc. is displayed on the screen.
New AP-439 electronic module
4.3” touch screen which provides an easy, intuitive and secure handling.
Graphic display of temperature, time, test cycle section, detected alarms, etc.
If necessary, the integrated electronic module can be replaced by the user. In this operation IBERTEST technical service is not necessary.
Automatic test cycles
The equipment comprises 2 pre-set programs according to the test standard EN 196-3.
The user can select which of the 2 program wants to perform:
1. Full cycle program
i) Maintain temperature at 20 °C for 24 hours
ii) Heating ramp for boiling in 30 minutes
iii) Maintain at boiling temperature for 3 hours
2. Short cycle program
i) Fast stabilization at 20 °C.
ii) Heating ramp for boiling in 30 minutes
iii) Maintain at boiling temperature for 3 hours
Accessories and Parts
- Le Chatelier Mould, as per EN 196-3
Manufactured in chrome-plated brass
Ref. 210-100001 - Base and cover plate
Glass-made. For the Le Chatelier moulds.
Ref. 111-100002 - Additional mass for cover plate
Brass made. Set the mass of the cover plate to 75 g.
Ref. 111-100003 - Clamp for Le Chatelier mould
For easy handling of the mould when filled
Ref. 111-100001 - Verification mass
For checking resilience of the Le Chatelier moulds, of 300 ± 1 g as per EN 196-3.
Ref. 210-102364
