Automatic Vicat Apparatus
Vector VTR-1022 automatic Vicat — 6-station cement setting time and consistency per EN 196-3 and ASTM C191 with 0.1 mm accuracy and VicatMaster software.
- EN 196-3
- ASTM C191
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Initial and final setting times of cement paste measured by needle penetration under defined load and temperature per EN 196-3 or ASTM C191.
Testing & Analysis Systems
Vicat Setting Time
Initial and final setting times of cement paste measured by needle penetration under defined load and temperature per EN 196-3 or ASTM C191.
What it measures
Vicat setting time tracks when cement paste begins to stiffen (initial setting) and when it becomes structurally rigid (final setting). It guides mixing, transport, and finishing windows on site and in precast plants.
How it is tested
A Vicat apparatus lowers a standard needle at intervals; penetration depth defines setting times per method. Automatic units log curves and reduce operator variability.
Standards and reporting
EN 196-3 and ASTM C191 specify paste mix water, mould, temperature, and needle dimensions. Mortar strength labs sharing the same climate should align with EN 196-1. Report any admixtures because they strongly shift Vicat times.
Common errors
Temperature drift, inconsistent paste mixing, and manual timing bias affect repeatability—use conditioned water baths and automated detection where possible.
Related standards
- EN 196-1 Methods of testing cement — Part 1: Determination of strength View standard summary
- EN 196-3 Methods of testing cement — Part 3: Determination of setting times and consistency (Vicat method) View standard summary
- ASTM C191 Standard test methods for time of setting of hydraulic cement by Vicat needle View standard summary
Compatible equipment
Automatic Vicat X12
Vector VTR-1023 automatic Vicat X12 — twelve-station cement setting time testing per EN 196-3 and ASTM C191 with VicatMaster and high-throughput parallel operation.
- EN 196-3
- ASTM C191
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Automatic Blaine
Vector VTR-1016 automatic Blaine tester — repeatable cement and powder fineness per EN 196-6, ASTM C204 and AASHTO T153 with touchscreen control.
- astm-c1070
- astm-c204
- +1 more
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Related calculator
Linear interpolation for initial setting time at a penetration or needle–base threshold per ASTM C191 and EN 196-3 bracketing readings.
Open calculator →Related terms
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Blaine Fineness
Cement fineness index from air permeability through a packed powder bed, expressed as Blaine specific surface area (m²/kg) per EN 196-6 or ASTM C204.
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Cement Flow (Flow Table)
Spread of cement paste or mortar on a flow table after standardized drops, expressed as percent flow or spread diameter per ASTM C1437 using apparatus per ASTM C230.