Cement mortar testing moulds

Brook Engineering manufactures and supplies certified moulds for preparing standard specimens for testing portland, blended and masonry cements to the following Australian Standards and related international standards (ISO/CEN):

• AS 2350.11 – 2006, Method 11: Compressive strength

• AS 2350.12 – 2006, Method 12: Preparation of a standard mortar and moulding of specimens

• AS 2350.13 – 2006, Method 13: Determination of drying shrinkage of cement mortars

• AS 2350.14 – 2006, Method 14: Length change of cement mortars exposed to sulfate solution

The design of our moulds has been significantly re-engineered in comparison with designs by others based simplistically on the ‘typical arrangements’ shown in the Standards. This is based on years of feedback from customers, in order to:

• Maintain dimensional accuracy of the mould cavities

• Enable interchangeability of dividers and other parts

• Enable easy and fast demoulding and reassembly

• Improve the ergonomics

• Increase durability of surface finishes

• Make the moulds easier to clean

A unique feature of our mould design is the inclusion of removable plates within the profile of the base plate at its underside. The removable plates bring the overall weight of the mould over 9.5kg as dictated by AS 2350.12. However, engineering review of that standard casts doubt on the need for a fixed weight, given that the Standard specifies the level of mould vibration in terms of frequency and amplitude which are parameters that can be set on modern vibrating machines and are independent of the mould’s weight. The removable plates give the user the option to significantly reduce the weight of the moulds, further improving ergonomics, while achieving the required vibration frequency and amplitude by setting appropriate parameters on the vibration apparatus.

The assembly of end plates and dividers is clamped with a quick action clamping mechanism which is operated by a standard spanner – using less than half a turn to clamp/unclamp the mould. The spanner provides good leverage for ease of use and when removed does not interfere with the stacking/storage of the moulds. The clamping system is also designed to uniformly load the ends of the four dividers to ensure all dividers are evenly and firmly clamped.

Handles and lifting points are provided so the moulds are easy to pick up and carry.

These moulds are constructed with hardened end plates and dividers for durability of the moulding surfaces. Other parts are also hardened for long term durability.

We also supply metal hoppers to suit each mould, as described in AS 2350.12.

Please contact us for more information.

Cement Mould for Compression Testing
(AS2352.11-2006 Compression) (Test piece size 160Lx40Wx40Hmm)