Victoria University TEST REPORTS
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July 6, 1995

Reference: BPSU/120

Technical Data:

Subject: Salt erosion resistance of concrete blocks

Salt water erosion test data for: Standard concrete block

Concrete block containing Tasco/Tech-Dry Block Emulsion

CONTENTS

1. Description of substrates

2. Test method

3. Results

1.DESCRIPTION OF SUBSTRATES

Four grey blocks of dimensions (WxDxL) 39x9x19 cm were supplied.

Two of the blocks were marked "Standard 1 and Standard 2" and the other two were marked "Treated 1 and Treated 2".

2. TEST METHOD

The blocks were oven dried 70C overnight, cooled and weighed. All blocks were placed in a bath of 10% Sodium Sulphate under ahead of 15mm for 5 hours and cooled. This process constitutes 1 crystallisation cycle. The blocks were re-weighed and then put through the next cycle. The test was conducted for a total of 15 cycles.

3. RESULTS

The weight loss of the blocks after 15 cycles are presented in Table 1.

Table 1 . Weight loss of the tested substrates after 15 cycles
Samples
Initial weight (Kg)
Final weight

(Kg)
Weight loss

(% by weight)
Standard 1
 10.256
9.026
12.0%
Standard 2
 10.240
9.062
11.5%
Treated 1
 10.260
10.230
0.3%
Treated 2
 10.258
10.218
0.4%
The results show that the inclusions of Block Emulsion reduces the weight loss after 15 cycles from 12% to approximately 0.4%. Additionally, the Treated blocks were intact at the end of the test, whereas the standard blocks were destroyed by salt erosion.

Signed : Dr.D A Kagi Date 6/7/1995