--- code: "EN 196-3" title: "Methods of testing cement — Part 3: Determination of setting times and consistency (Vicat method)" institution: "ISO" category: "testing-analysis-systems" revision: "2016" scope: "Defines reference Vicat procedures for standard consistency (plunger penetration) and initial/final setting times of cement paste for common cements within EN 197-1 and related specifications." testMethod: "Paste mixed per EN 196-1; consistency at 4 min after time zero; setting times with 1.13 mm needle under water at (20.0 ± 1.0) °C, with spacing and rounding rules for initial and final set." specimenRequirements: "500 g cement batch for consistency; Vicat mould depth 40 mm; moving mass (300 ± 1) g; initial-set needle Ø 1.13 mm; paste at (20 ± 2) °C." url: "https://vectorbtc.com.tr/resources/standards/en-196-3/" --- # EN 196-3: Methods of testing cement — Part 3 ## Determination of setting times and consistency (Vicat method) *National example (Turkey): TS EN 196-3 — the technical requirements follow EN 196-3:2016.* --- > **Legal notice** > > The information on this page is a summary prepared by Vector Scientific Testing Devices based on a review of the applicable standard; it does not replace the official standard. For the authoritative, complete text, obtain the standard from the relevant standards body (e.g. your national standards institute, ASTM International, CEN) through official channels. Vector accepts no liability for direct or indirect loss arising from reliance on this summary. --- ## 1. Purpose and scope This standard describes how to determine two key cement properties using a Vicat apparatus: 1. **Standard consistency** — Water content required for the paste to reach specified consistency (plunger penetration method). 2. **Setting time** — Initial and final setting times after mixing with water (needle penetration method). **Applicability:** - Applies to all common cements within the scope of EN 197-1 and other material standards referencing this method. - May not apply to cements with very short initial setting times. **Reference method principle:** The standard defines reference procedures. Alternatives are permitted if calibrated against the reference method. In case of dispute, only the reference method applies. --- ## 2. Laboratory conditions ### 2.1 Environment **Target temperature:** When a temperature range is given, control should target the midpoint (e.g. 20 ± 2 °C → target 20 °C). ### 2.2 General apparatus **Note:** Using the lower tolerance for the gap between mixer paddle and bowl yields a more homogeneous paste. ### 2.3 Materials - **Water:** Distilled or deionized water. Potable water may be used for curing and boiling. - Cement, water and all apparatus shall be at **(20 ± 2) °C** during testing. ### 2.4 Equipment checks - Equipment outside tolerance is not accepted; it is adjusted or repaired. - Control measurement records are retained. - For new equipment, mass, volume and critical dimensions are measured. - Approximate dimensions in figures are indicative; toleranced dimensions are mandatory. - Where apparatus material may affect results, the material shall be specified and used. --- ## 3. Vicat apparatus — Detailed description ### 3.1 Main frame - Vertically sliding rod on a metal stand (moving spindle). - Mass platform at the upper end of the rod. - Plunger or needle attached at the lower end according to the test. - Graduated (mm) scale and adjustable indicator. - Motion: strictly vertical, negligible friction; axis coincident with plunger/needle axis. - **Total mass of moving parts: (300 ± 1) g** — constant for all configurations. ### 3.4 Needle for final setting and annular ring (Figure 1e) **View from below:** Needle centred, ring around it; needle projects 0.5 mm beyond the ring. ### 3.5 Mass balance - If plunger or needle (with or without attachment) always weighs (9.0 ± 0.5) g, a single adjusting mass per apparatus suffices. - When different tips are fitted, additional masses on the platform bring total moving mass to (300 ± 1) g. ### 3.6 Vicat mould **Note:** Moulds of other metals may be used if depth complies and they are calibrated against a reference mould. ### 3.7 Base plate **Recommendation:** Using base plates of equal thickness in a laboratory reduces the need to frequently re-zero the Vicat scale. --- ## 4. Determination of standard consistency ### 4.1 Objective Find the water required for the paste to reach “standard consistency”, characterized by the resistance to penetration of the standard plunger to a defined depth. This water content governs paste preparation for the setting-time test. ### 4.2 Preparation of cement paste **Materials:** - 500 g cement (± 1 g) - Starting water: about 125 g (weighed or measured to ± 1 mL) **Mixing procedure:** - Each stage shall be within ± 2 s. - “Zero” is the reference for initial and final setting times. **Note:** Other mixing procedures are allowed if calibrated to the reference method. ### 4.3 Filling the mould 1. Lightly oil base plate and mould interior (mineral oil recommended). 2. Place paste in the mould to overfill without undue compaction or vibration, without delay. 3. Tap the overfilled mould gently (palm toward mould) to release air bubbles. 4. Strike off excess with a straightedge using light cutting strokes; surface level and smooth. **Warning:** Fresh cement paste is highly alkaline and may irritate skin. Wear protective gloves. ### 4.4 Procedure — standard consistency 1. With plunger (Fig. 1c) fitted, lower apparatus until plunger contacts the base plate → set scale/indicator to **zero**. 2. Raise plunger to standby position. 3. Place filled mould + base on Vicat so plunger is centred on paste, without undue delay. 4. Lower until plunger just touches paste surface. 5. Hold **1–2 s** to avoid imparting initial velocity or force. 6. **Release** moving parts quickly → plunger penetrates vertically under its weight. 7. Release shall occur **4 minutes ± 10 seconds** after time “zero”. 8. **Reading:** After penetration has stopped for **at least 5 s**, or **30 s** after release (whichever is sooner). 9. Read scale distance between underside of plunger and base plate. 10. Record together with water as mass % of cement. 11. Clean plunger immediately after each test. ### 4.5 Acceptance criterion Repeat with different water contents until distance between plunger and base is **(6 ± 2) mm**. Round the water content of the compliant paste to the nearest **0.5 %** and record as **water required for standard consistency**. --- ## 5. Determination of setting times ### 5.1 Apparatus #### 5.1.1 Storage container Vessel for immersing filled moulds in water at (20.0 ± 1.0) °C; various designs are acceptable if the specimen surface is under water. #### 5.1.2 Temperature-controlled enclosure Thermostatically controlled (20.0 ± 1.0) °C water bath or cabinet matching the container. #### 5.1.3 Automatic apparatus Permitted if requirements of the reference method are met. **Note:** Experience shows the reference method (specimen under water) may be unsuitable for some slow-setting cements. Annex A (moist cabinet, RH ≥ 90 %) may then be used. Specifications shall state which method applies. ### 5.2 Initial setting time #### 5.2.1 Apparatus set-up Fit initial-setting needle (Fig. 1d). Lower until needle contacts base plate in the container → set scale to **zero** → raise needle to standby. #### 5.2.2 Specimen preparation - Fill Vicat mould with standard-consistency paste per Clauses 4.2 and 4.3. - Place filled mould + base in storage container. - Add water to cover paste surface by **at least 5 mm**. - Place container in enclosure at (20.0 ± 1.0) °C. #### 5.2.3 Penetration procedure 1. After a suitable interval, place mould + base + container under the needle. 2. Lower until needle just touches paste. 3. Hold **1–2 s** to prevent rapid descent. 4. **Release** → needle penetrates vertically. 5. **Reading:** When penetration is complete or **30 s** after release (whichever is sooner), read the scale. 6. Record distance from needle tip to base plate and elapsed time from “zero”. #### 5.2.4 Spacing rules - Keep specimen in the enclosure between penetrations. - Clean needle immediately after each test. - Retain specimen if final setting time will also be determined. #### 5.2.5 Initial setting — criterion and reporting Elapsed time from “zero” until needle-to-base distance is **(6 ± 3) mm** is the **initial setting time**. - Round calculation to nearest **1 minute**. - Report rounded to nearest **5 minutes**. **Tip:** Increase penetration frequency as initial set approaches. **Repeatability / reproducibility (current edition):** - Repeatability (same laboratory): CV ≈ **10 %** - Reproducibility (between laboratories): CV ≈ **12 %** ### 5.3 Final setting time #### 5.3.1 Specimen preparation 1. Invert the filled mould from 5.2 on the base plate. → Final setting is determined on the face that originally contacted the base. 2. Immerse mould + base and store in enclosure at (20.0 ± 1.0) °C. #### 5.3.2 Configuration Fit final-setting needle with annular ring (Fig. 1e). Total moving mass shall be (300 ± 1) g. **Note:** Automatic equipment using the initial-setting needle alone (Fig. 1d, no ring) is allowed if calibrated to the reference method. #### 5.3.3 Penetration procedure Same as 5.2.3, differences: Spacing rules as for initial setting. Keep specimen in enclosure between tests; clean needle. #### 5.3.4 Detecting final set - Detect the instant the needle first penetrates **only 0.5 mm**. - This is the first instant the ring **does not** mark the surface. - Shorten intervals near final set. - **Verification:** Confirm final setting time by **two additional** penetration positions. #### 5.3.5 Final setting — reporting Time from “zero” until the needle first penetrates only 0.5 mm is the **final setting time**, reported rounded to nearest **5 minutes**. > **Note:** In the previous national edition example (TS EN 196-3+A1:2010), rounding was 15 minutes; the current edition uses **5 minutes**. --- ## 6. Alternative setting-time method (Annex A — informative) Reference method stores specimens under water. For some slow-setting cements this may be unsuitable. The alternative uses a moist cabinet: (20 ± 1) °C, RH ≥ 90 %. Specifications shall state when the alternative applies. --- ## 7. Informative limiting values (from EN 197-1) *(These limits come from EN 197-1; EN 196-3 defines test methods only — it does not set conformity limits.)* --- ## 8. Practical notes 1. **Water range:** Standard-consistency water is often 24–33 % by mass of cement; finer cements need more water. 2. **Automatic Vicat equipment:** Widely used; standardizes timing, reading and logging. Must be calibrated to the reference method. 3. **Mould release:** Use mineral-based oils; some oils affect setting time. 4. **Temperature sensitivity:** Setting time is highly temperature-sensitive; even 1 °C can matter — hence the thermostatic bath in the reference method. 5. **Penetration sites:** Do not penetrate the same spot twice; obey minimum spacing. 6. **Needle care:** Tip flat and undamaged; clean after every test; replace bent or worn needles. 7. **“Zero” time:** Mixer start rounded to nearest minute; all times derive from this reference. 8. **Strength testing:** Mortar prism strength per [EN 196-1](/resources/standards/en-196-1/) uses the same laboratory climate targets for mixing and curing. --- *This document is a comprehensive summary of the standard-consistency and Vicat setting-time parts of EN 196-3:2016 (national titles such as TS EN 196-3 may apply in your region). For official use, refer to the standard issued by your national standards body (e.g. TSE for Turkey).*