Designation: C 989 – 05

Standard Specification for

Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag for Use in Concrete
and Mortars1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 989; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope C 114 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic

1.1 This specification covers three strength grades of finely Cement
ground granulated blast-furnace slag for use as a cementitious C 125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete
material in concrete and mortar. Aggregates
C 150 Specification for Portland Cement
NOTE 1—The material described in this specification may be used for C 185 Test Method for Air Content of Hydraulic Cement
blending with portland cement to produce a cement meeting the require-
Mortar
ments of Specification C 595 or as a separate ingredient in concrete or
mortar mixtures. The material may also be useful in a variety of special C 188 Test Method for Density of Hydraulic Cement
grouts and mortars, and when used with an appropriate activator, as the C 204 Test Method for Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by
principal cementitious material in some applications. Air Permeability Apparatus
NOTE 2—Information on technical aspects of the use of the material C 430 Test Method for Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by
described in this specification is contained in Appendix X1, Appendix X2, the 45-µm (No. 325) Sieve
and Appendix X3. More detailed information on that subject is contained C 441 Test Method for Effectiveness of Pozzolans or
in ACI 233R-03, formerly ACI 226.1R.
Ground Blast-Furnace Slag in Preventing Excessive Ex-
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as pansion of Concrete Due to the Alkali-Silica Reaction
standard. C 452 Test Method for Potential Expansion of Portland
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the Cement Mortars Exposed to Sulfate
test methods described in this specification. This standard does C 465 Specification for Processing Additions for Use in the
not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, Manufacture of Hydraulic Cements
associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this C 595 Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices C 1012 Test Method for Length Change of Hydraulic-
and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior Cement Mortars Exposed to a Sulfate Solution
to use. D 3665 Practice for Random Sampling of Construction
1.4 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes Materials
that provide explanatory information. These notes and foot- 2.2 American Concrete Institute Reports:
notes (excluding those in tables) shall not be considered as 226.1R Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag as a Cemen-
requirements of this standard. titious Constituent in Concrete3
233R-03 Slag Cement in Concrete and Mortar3
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 3. Terminology
C 109/C 109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of 3.1 Definition:
Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50-mm] Cube 3.1.1 blast-furnace slag—the nonmetallic product, consist-
Specimens) ing essentially of silicates and aluminosilicates of calcium and
other bases that is developed in a molten condition simulta-
neously with iron in a blast furnace (see Terminology C 125).
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee 3.2.1 granulated blast-furnace slag—the glassy granular
C09.27 on Ground Slag .
material formed when molten blast-furnace slag is rapidly
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2005. Published January 2005. Originally
approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as C 989 – 04.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American Concrete Institute (ACI), P.O. Box 9094, Farmington
the ASTM website. Hills, MI 48333.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

1
 C 989 – 05
chilled as by immersion in water (see Terminology C 125), TABLE 2 Chemical Requirements
with or without compositional adjustments made while the Sulfide sulfur (S), max, % 2.5
blast-furnace slag is molten. Sulfate reported as SO3, max, % 4.0

3.2.2 slag—granulated blast-furnace slag, as defined and

described in 3.1.1 and 3.2.1, and ground to cement fineness
with or without additions meeting the requirements of the
NOTE 3—Sulfur in granulated blast-furnace slag is present predomi-
section on additions.
nantly as sulfide sulfur. In most cases, instrumental analyses, such as x-ray
4. Classification fluorescence, cannot differentiate sulfide sulfur from sulfate. Determine
and report the sulfide sulfur content separately, and do not include it in the
4.1 Slag is classified by performance in the slag activity test SO3 calculations.
in three grades: Grade 80, Grade 100, and Grade 120 (see Table
1). 9.2 Take random grab samples either from a delivery unit or
at some point in the loading or unloading process so that no
5. Ordering Information sample represents more than 115 Mg (125 tons) (Note 4). If
5.1 The purchaser shall specify the grade slag desired and samples are taken from rail cars or trucks, take at least two
the optional chemical or physical data to be reported. separate 2-kg (5-lb) portions and thoroughly mix them to
obtain a test sample (Note 5). Sample by removing approxi-
6. Additions mately a 300-mm (12-in.) layer of slag. Make a hole before
6.1 The slag covered by this specification shall contain no obtaining a sample to avoid dust collector material that has
additions except as follows: discharged into the delivery unit after the predominant slag
6.1.1 When used, calcium sulfate shall be added in the flow has ceased. Sample at a rate of one sample per month or
amounts such that the limits in Table 2 for sulfur trioxide are one sample for each 2300 Mg (2500 tons) of shipments,
not exceeded. whichever is more frequent.
6.1.2 When processing additions are used in the manufac-
NOTE 4—Standard statistical procedures are recommended for ensuring
ture of the slag, the maximum amount used shall comply with
that samples are selected by a random procedure; see Practice D 3665.
the requirements of Specification C 465 when tested using a These procedures can be used to select the days within a month or within
50-50 blend by mass and the portland cement. a week that samples will be taken. The delivery unit or time of day then
should be chosen randomly.
7. Chemical Composition
NOTE 5—The quantity of sample specified is more than adequate for the
7.1 Slag shall conform to the chemical requirements pre- testing required. A 2-kg (5-lb) portion should be retained in a sealed
scribed in Table 2. container for retesting if that is considered necessary to verify compliance.

8. Physical Properties 10. Test Methods

8.1 Slag shall conform to the physical requirements of Table 10.1 Slag-Activity Tests with Portland Cement:
1.
10.1.1 Slag activity shall be evaluated by determining the
9. Sampling compressive strength of both portland-cement mortars and
9.1 The following sampling and testing procedures shall be corresponding mortars made with the same mass of 50-50 mass
used by the purchaser to verify compliance with this specifi- combinations of slag and portland cement. Appendix X1
cation. discusses the effects of cement, temperature, and amount of
slag used on performance with portland cement.
TABLE 1 Physical Requirements 10.1.2 Reference Cement—The portland cement used in the
Item slag activity tests shall comply with the standard chemical and
Fineness: physical requirements of Specification C 150 and with the
additional requirements of total alkali content and compressive
amount retained when wet screened on a 45-µm (No. 325) 20 strength limits as shown in Table 3. Sufficient cement shall be
sieve, max %
Specific surface by air permeability, Test Method C 204 shall ... reserved to avoid changing reference cement more often than
be determined and reported although no limits are every two months. Following the compressive strength require-
required.
Air Content of Slag Mortar, max % 12
ment of Table 3, the reference cement shall be re-qualified
every six months, or more frequently.
Average of
Last Five Any Individual
Consecutive Sample
Samples
TABLE 3 Alkali and Strength Limits of Reference Cement for
Slag Activity Index, min, %
7-Day Index Slag Activity Tests
Grade 80 ... ... Total Alkalies (Na2O + 0.658 K2O) min % 0.60
Grade 100 75 70 max % 0.90
Grade 120 95 90 Compressive Strength, MPa, min, 28 daysA 35 (5000 psi)
28-Day Index A
Grade 80 75 70 The minimum strength limit is based solely on the strength of the Test Method
Grade 100 95 90 C 109/C 109M mortar cubes, as required in Specification C 150, regardless of the
Grade 120 115 110 strength of the flow-controlled Specification C 989 mortar cubes.

2
 C 989 – 05
10.1.3 Preparation of Specimens—Prepare mortars in ac- properly conducted tests of single batches by different labora-
cordance with Test Method C 109/C 109M, except that suffi- tories should not differ by more than 16.1 %.
cient water shall be used in each batch to produce a flow of 10.2 Slag Density—Determine in accordance with Test
1106 5 %. The proportions shall be as follows: Method C 188.
Reference Cement Mortar: 10.3 Amount of Slag Retained on a 45-µm (No. 325)
500 g portland cement Sieve—Determine in accordance with Test Method C 430.
1375 g graded standard sand 10.4 Slag Fineness by Air Permeability—Determine in
Slag-Reference Cement Mortar: accordance with Test Method C 204.
250 g portland cement 10.5 Sulfate Ion in Slag Reported as SO3—Determine as
250 g slag sulfur trioxide in accordance with Test Methods C 114, except
1375 g graded standard sand the sample need not be completely decomposed by acid.
10.1.3.1 Mix a reference cement batch each day that a 10.6 Sulfide Sulfur in the Slag—Determine in accordance
slag-reference cement batch is mixed until at least five batches with Test Methods C 114.
have been mixed with the reference cement. Thereafter, refer- 10.7 Chloride Content of Slag—Determine in accordance
ence cement batches need not be mixed more often than once with Test Methods C 114.
a week whenever slag is being produced or shipped. 10.8 Air Content of Slag Mortar—Determine in accordance
10.1.4 Test Ages—Determine the compressive strength of with Test Method C 185, except use 350 g of slag instead of
mortar specimens at 7 and 28 days age in accordance with Test cement in the standard mortar batch. Calculate using the
Method C 109/C 109M. appropriate density of the slag.
10.1.5 Calculation—Calculate the slag activity index to the
nearest percent for both 7 days and 28 days as follows: 11. Rejection and Rehearing
Slag activity index, % 5 ~SP/P! 3 100 (1) 11.1 The purchaser has the right to reject material that fails
to conform to the requirements of this specification. Rejection
shall be reported to the producer or supplier promptly and in
SP = average compressive strength of slag-reference ce- writing. In case of dissatisfaction with the results of the tests,
ment mortar cubes at designated ages, MPa (psi), and the producer or supplier is not prohibited from making a claim
P = average compressive strength of reference cement for retesting.
mortar cubes at designated age, MPa (psi).
The reference cement-mortar strength used to calculate a 12. Certification
slag activity index shall, when a reference cement mortar is 12.1 When specified in the purchase order or contract, the
mixed on the same day as a slag-reference cement mortar, be purchaser shall be furnished certification that samples repre-
the result for that batch. Otherwise, the average of tests of the senting each lot have been tested as directed in this specifica-
five most recent reference cement-mortar batches shall be used. tion and the specified requirements have been met. When
10.1.6 Report—The report should include the following: specified in the purchase order or contract, a report of the test
10.1.6.1 Slag activity index, %, results shall be furnished.
10.1.6.2 Compressive strength at 7 and 28 days, of slag- 12.2 When specified in the purchase order or contract, test
reference cement mortar, data shall be furnished on the chloride ion content of the slag.
10.1.6.3 Compressive strength at 7 and 28 days, of portland
cement mortar, 13. Manufacturer’s Statement
10.1.6.4 Total alkalies of the reference cement 13.1 At the request of the purchaser, the manufacturer shall
(Na2O + 0.658 K2O), state in writing the nature, amount, and identity of any
10.1.6.5 Fineness of reference cement, and processing or other additions made to the slag.
10.1.6.6 Potential compound composition of the reference
portland cement. 14. Package Marking and Shipping Information
10.1.7 Precision—The following precision statements are 14.1 When the ground slag is delivered in packages, the
applicable when the slag activity index with portland cement is classification of slag, the name and brand of the manufacturer,
based on results of tests of two cubes from single batches of and the weight of the slag contained therein shall be plainly
reference cement and 50-50 slag-reference cement mortars marked on each package. Similar information shall be provided
mixed on the same day. They are applicable to the slag activity in the shipping invoices accompanying the shipment of pack-
index determined at 7 or 28 days. aged or bulk slag. All packages shall be in good condition at
10.1.7.1 The single-laboratory coefficient of variation has the time of inspection.
been found to be 4.1 %. Therefore, the slag activity indices of
properly conducted tests based on single batches of mortar 15. Storage
mixed on the same day should not differ by more than 11.6 % 15.1 The slag shall be stored to permit easy access for
of their average. proper inspection and identification of each shipment and in a
10.1.7.2 The multilaboratory coefficient of variation has suitable weather-tight building that will protect the slag from
been found to be 5.7 %. Therefore, the slag activity indices of dampness and minimize quality deterioration.

3
 C 989 – 05
APPENDIXES

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. CONTRIBUTION OF SLAG TO CONCRETE STRENGTH

X1.1 When slag is used in concrete with portland cement, percentages developed in the slag activity test do not provide
the levels and rate of strength development will depend quantitative predictions of strength performance in concrete.
importantly on the properties of the slag, the properties of the Performance in concrete will depend on a large number of
portland cement, the relative and total amounts of slag and factors including the properties and proportions of the slag, the
cement, and the concrete curing temperatures. portland cement, and other concrete ingredients, concrete
temperatures, and curing conditions; and other conditions.
X1.2 The reference cement used to test slag activity in this
specification must have a minimum 28-day strength of 35 MPa
(5000 psi) and an alkali content between 0.6 and 0.9 %. X1.3 Concrete strengths at 1, 3, and even 7 days may tend
Performance of the slag with other portland cements may be to be lower using slag-cement combinations, particularly at
significantly different. The slag-activity test also can be used to low temperatures or at high slag percentages. Concrete propor-
evaluate relative hydraulicity of different slags with a specific tions will need to be established considering the importance of
cement or of different shipments of the same slag. Such early strengths, the curing temperatures involved and the
comparisons will be improved if all tests are made with a single properties of the slag, the portland cement, and other concrete
sample of cement. To properly classify a slag, the reference materials. Generally a higher numerical grade of slag can be
portland cement must conform to the limits on strength and used in larger amounts and will provide improved early
alkali content. Even within these limits performance will strength performance; however, tests must be made using job
depend to some extent on the particular cement used. The materials under job conditions.

X2. SULFATE RESISTANCE

X2.1 General—Slag cements are generally considered to of the slag also influences sulfate resistance,4,5 and that high
have greater resistance to attack by sulfates than do portland alumina content can have a detrimental influence at low
cements, based largely upon comparisons of high slag-content slag-replacement percentages. The data from these studies of
portland blast-furnace slag cements with ordinary (Type I) laboratory exposure of mortars to sodium and magnesium
portlands. These cements (containing 60 % or more slag) are sulfate solutions provide the following general conclusions.
widely used for sulfate and sea-water resistant concretes X2.3.1 The combinations of slag and portland cement, in
throughout the world. which the slag content was greater than 60 to 65 %, had high
sulfate resistance, always better than the portland cement
X2.2 Sulfate Resistance of Portland Cements—The sulfate alone, irrespective of the Al2O3 content of the slag. The
resistance of concrete is dependent upon a number of factors, improvement in sulfate resistance was greatest for the cements
including mortar permeability and the type and concentration with the higher C3A contents.
of the sulfate solutions involved. Others, directly related to the X2.3.2 The low alumina (11 %) slag tested increased the
cement characteristics, include calcium hydroxide concentra- sulfate resistance independently of the C3A content of the
tion and the tricalcium aluminate (C3A) content. Specification cement. To obtain adequate sulfate resistance, higher slag
C 150 provides limits on the C3A for sulfate-resistant cements. percentages were necessary with the higher C3A cements.
Specification C 150 Type V requirements provide for a limit on X2.3.3 The high alumina (18 %) slag tested, adversely
the tetracalcium aluminoferrite (C4AF) plus twice the C3A. affected the sulfate resistance of portland cements when
The C150 table of Optional Physical Requirements includes a blended in low percentages (50 % or less). Some tests indicated
maximum limit on expansion of Type V cement in mortar bars rapid decreases in resistance for cements in the 8 and 11 %
when tested by Test Method C 452. When this option is C3A ranges with slag percentages as low as 20 % or less in the
selected, the standard limits on tricalcium aluminate and on blends.
tetracalcium aluminoferrite plus twice the tricalcium aluminate X2.3.4 Tests on slag (7 to 8 % alumina) in Ontario6 have
do not apply. Test Method C 1012 can be used to measure the shown that a 50:50 combination by mass with Type I portland
effects of exposure to external sulfate environments on mortar
or concrete. 4
Locher, F. W., “The Problems of the Sulfate Resistance of Slag Cements,”
Zement-Kalk-Gips, No. 9, September, 1966.
X2.3 Effect of Slag on Sulfate Resistance—The use of slag 5
Van Aardt, J. H. P. and Visser, S., “The Behavior of Mixtures of Milled
will decrease the C3A content of the cementing materials and Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag and Portland Cement in Sulfate Solutions,” Bulletin
47, National Building Research Institute, South Africa, 1967.
decrease the permeability and calcium hydroxide content of the 6
Chojnacki, B., “Sulfate Resistance of Blended (Slag) Cement,” Report EM-52,
mortar or concrete. Tests have shown that the alumina content Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ontario, Canada 1981.

4
 C 989 – 05
cement (having up to about 12 % C3A) is equivalent in sulfate resistance using Test Method C 1012, as reported by Patzias 8,
resistance to the Type V cement used in that study. recommended the following limits for expansion of portland
cement and ground slag combinations at six months of expo-
X2.4 Tests for Sulfate Resistance—When the relative sure:
sulfate resistance of a specific cement-slag combination is
Moderate sulfate resistance — 0.10 % max
desired, tests should be conducted in accordance with Test
High sulfate resistance — 0.05 % max
Method C 1012.7 Studies by Subcommittee C01.29 on sulfate
8
Patzias, T., “The Development of ASTM Method C 1012 with Recommended
7
Hooton, R. D. and Emery, J. J., “Sulfate Resistance of a Canadian Slag Acceptance Limits for Sulfate Resistance of Hydraulic Cements”, Cement, Con-
Cement”, ACI Materials Journal, Vol 87, No. 6, November-December 1990. crete, and Aggregates, Vol 13, No. 1, ASTM, 1991.

X3. EFFECTIVENESS OF SLAG IN PREVENTING EXCESSIVE EXPANSION OF CONCRETE DUE TO ALKALI-

AGGREGATE REACTION

X3.1 Tests for effectiveness of slag in preventing excessive X3.3 When the job cement and proportions of cement to
expansion due to alkali-aggregate reaction are not considered slag are known, test mortars should be proportioned in accor-
necessary unless the slag is to be used: (a) with a high-alkali dance with the job mixture requirements of Test Method C 441,
portland cement (Na2O + 0.658 K20 $ 0.6 %) or the concrete and the average expansion of mortar bars at 14 days should not
contains added water-soluble alkalies (added as an activator to exceed 0.020 %.
improve early strength); and (b) with an aggregate that is
regarded as deleteriously reactive with alkalies. X3.4 When the job cement and proportions of slag to
X3.2 It should be expected that the effectiveness of the slag cement are not known, tests can be made for the reduction in
will depend upon the amount used and the reactivity of the slag mortar expansion in accordance with Test Method C 441. To be
itself. Data suggest that slags used as 40 % or more of the considered effective the slag must reduce 14-day expansions of
cementitious material will generally prevent excessive expan- mixtures made with the required high-alkali cement by 75 %.
sion with cements having alkali contents up to 1.0 %; however, The slag should be considered effective only when the ratio of
definitive data are not available, and tests must be made in slag to cement equals or exceeds that found effective in the
accordance with Test Method C 441. tests.

ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or service@astm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org).