ASTM C267 Chemical Resistance of Mortars, Grouts, and Monolithic Surfacings and Polymer Concretes

Determination of the chemical resistance of resin, silica, silicate, sulfur, and hydraulic materials, grouts, monolithic surfacings, and polymer concrete by predicted service conditions can be done by procedures in ASTM C267. After exposure of the test specimens to the medium, these test techniques allow for the determination of changes in various properties of test specimens and test media. The final results of this method are displayed as per the international standards.

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ASTM C267 Chemical Resistance of Mortars, Grouts, and Monolithic Surfacings and Polymer Concretes

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Overview
Scope, Applications, and Benefits
Test Process
Specifications
Instrumentation
Results and Deliverables

Overview

ASTM C267 is a standard test method for evaluating the chemical resistance of mortars, grouts, monolithic surfacings, and polymer concretes by measuring changes in mass, dimensions, and appearance after immersion in specified chemical reagents. It assesses how well cementitious and polymer-based materials withstand degradation when exposed to aggressive chemical environments.

This method is essential for material selection in industrial flooring, chemical containment structures, secondary containment systems, and process vessel linings where prolonged chemical exposure is expected. Results guide engineers and specifiers in selecting suitable materials that maintain structural integrity and surface performance under chemically aggressive service conditions.

Scope, Applications, and Benefits

Scope

ASTM C267 covers immersion testing of mortar, grout, monolithic surfacing, and polymer concrete specimens in chemical reagents to evaluate resistance to chemical attack. Specimens are assessed for changes in physical properties after defined exposure periods.

The scope includes:

Measurement of mass change, linear dimensional change, and visual appearance after chemical immersion
Testing in acids, alkalis, solvents, salts, and other industrial chemicals
Applicable to Portland cement mortars, epoxy, furan, polyester, and other polymer-based systems
Immersion periods of 7, 28, and 90 days or as specified
Evaluation of surface degradation including softening, blistering, cracking, and discoloration
Applicable to laboratory-cast specimens and field-cut samples from installed surfaces

Applications

Chemical resistance evaluation of industrial floor coatings and surfacings
Assessment of grouts and mortars used in chemical containment structures
Evaluation of polymer concretes for process vessel and tank linings
Secondary containment system material qualification
Wastewater treatment facility lining material selection
Selection of chemically resistant flooring for manufacturing and processing plants
Evaluation of repair mortars exposed to aggressive chemical environments
Research and development of new chemically resistant binder formulations
Incoming material verification for chemical plant and industrial facility projects
Comparative ranking of competing material systems for chemical resistance

Benefits

Quantitative measurement of mass and dimensional changes under chemical exposure
Covers a broad range of chemical reagents relevant to industrial environments
Applicable to both cementitious and polymer-based material systems
Supports informed material selection for aggressive chemical service conditions
Identifies material degradation modes including softening, swelling, and surface attack
Relatively straightforward immersion procedure with standard laboratory equipment
Multiple exposure durations allow monitoring of degradation progression over time
Results directly applicable to real-world chemical containment design decisions
Supports supplier qualification and project-specific material acceptance testing

Test Process

Specimen Preparation

Mortar, grout, or polymer concrete specimens are cast, cured, and finished to specified dimensions before testing.

Initial Measurement

Mass, length, and visual condition of each specimen are recorded prior to chemical immersion.

Chemical Immersion

Specimens are fully immersed in designated chemical reagents at controlled temperature for specified durations.

Post-Exposure Evaluation

Changes in mass, dimensions, and surface condition are compared to baseline values.

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Details
Specimen Form	Cast or cut bars/cubes per specified dimensions
Chemical Exposure Media	Acids, alkalis, salts, solvents, and industrial reagents
Immersion Duration	7, 28, 90 days or project-specified periods
Test Temperature	Ambient or elevated as specified
Parameters Measured	Mass change (%), linear dimensional change (%), appearance
Material Types Covered	Cement mortars, epoxy, furan, polyester, vinyl ester systems
Reagent Concentration	As specified by project or standard reagent list
Reporting Basis	Percentage change from pre-immersion baseline

Instrumentation Used for Testing

Analytical balance for mass measurement before and after immersion
Vernier caliper or micrometer for dimensional change measurement
Chemical-resistant immersion containers (glass or PTFE)
Controlled temperature bath or oven for elevated temperature exposure
pH meter for reagent concentration verification
Visual inspection tools and photographic documentation equipment
Desiccator for specimen conditioning before measurement

Results and Deliverables

Percentage mass change per specimen and reagent
Percentage linear dimensional change per specimen and reagent
Visual condition report including softening, swelling, blistering, and discoloration
Pass/fail assessment against project or specification acceptance limits
Comparative performance data across multiple chemical reagents
Time-series degradation data at 7, 28, and 90-day intervals
Full test report with specimen details, reagent identities, concentrations, and exposure conditions
Photographic documentation of specimen condition before and after immersion

Why Choose Infinita Lab for ASTM C267?

Infinita Lab is a leading provider of ASTM C267 and streamlined material testing services, addressing the critical challenges faced by emerging businesses and established enterprises. With access to a vast network of over 2,000+ accredited partner labs across the United States, Infinita Lab ensures rapid, accurate, and cost-effective testing solutions. The company’s unique value proposition includes comprehensive project management, confidentiality assurance, and seamless communication through a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) model. By eliminating inefficiencies in traditional material testing workflows, Infinita Lab accelerates research and development (R&D) processes.

Looking for a trusted partner to achieve your research goals? Schedule a meeting with us, send us a request, or call us at (888) 878-3090 to learn more about our services and how we can support you. Request a Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

ASTM C267 evaluates chemical resistance of mortars, grouts, and polymer concretes by measuring mass change, dimensional change, and surface degradation after immersion in specified chemical reagents over defined exposure periods.

Dimensional change indicates swelling or shrinkage caused by chemical absorption or matrix dissolution. Excessive swelling generates internal stress, potentially causing cracking or delamination in installed surfacings and linings under service conditions.

Yes. Polymer concretes based on epoxy, furan, polyester, and vinyl ester resins are fully covered under ASTM C267, making it directly applicable to resin-bound systems used in industrial flooring and chemical containment linings.

Testing at 7, 28, and 90 days reveals whether degradation progresses, stabilizes, or accelerates over time. Some materials show initial surface attack followed by stabilization, while others exhibit progressive deterioration requiring longer evaluation.

Specimen preparation and curing require 7–28 days depending on material type. Immersion testing runs up to 90 days for full evaluation. Interim results at 7 and 28 days are available earlier, with final reporting following 90-day exposure completion.