1.1 This specification covers materials for use as chemical admixtures to be added to hydraulic-cement concrete mixtures for the purpose or purposes indicated for the eight types as follows:

1.2 Unless specified otherwise by the purchaser, test specimens for qualifying an admixture shall be made using concreting materials as described in 11.1 – 11.3.

1.3 This specification provides for three levels of testing.

1.4 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. Some values have only SI units because the inch-pound equivalents are not used in practice.

1.5 The text of this standard refers to notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.

1.6 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to test method Sections 11 – 18 of this Specification: 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. (Warning—Fresh hydraulic cementitious mixtures are caustic and may cause chemical burns to exposed skin and tissue upon prolonged exposure.3)

1.7 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.