Freeze Thaw Tester for freezing in air and thawing in air or water. According to several European and international standards. Now with much more cooling power. Not only for concrete but also for natural stones and tile-glues. Including optional Internet connection and a flooding mechanism.
The test requires four specimens obtained from four cubes. After 21 days a 50 mm thick specimen is sawed from each cube perpendicular to the top surface so that the saw cut for the test surface is located in the center of the cube. The specimens sized to 15 x 15 x 5 cm. After 25 days of concrete aging a rubber sheet is glued on all surfaces except the test surface. After 28 days, demineralized water of 3 mm depth is placed on the test surface for 72h. After 31 days, all surfaces except the test surface are thermally insulated with polystyrene foam plastic of 20 mm thickness. Then the demineralized water is replaced by the the freezing medium and the test surface is covered with a polyethylene sheet.
One freeze-thaw cycle is performed in 24 hours. The temperature must be above 0°C for et least 7 hours but not more than 9 hours during each cycle.
The reference temperature is measured in the center of the test surface and may vary between +/-2.5 K and +/- 5 K from the target temperature, as shown in the picture below.
After 7, 14, 28 42 and 56 days the weight of the scaled material is measured, after the surface has been brushed.
© Figure Technische Fachhochschule Berlin, Labor für Baustoffe
Created by Kristian Siebert for his diploma-thesis WS/SS 04/05 "Vergleichende Untersuchungen zum Frost-Tausalz-Widerstand von Betonen mit dem Slab-Test und CDF-Verfahren - Comparing research about the frost thaw resistance between the Slab test and the CDF test". Chair : Prof. Dipl.-Ing Jürgen Berger
The Slabtester is suitable for tests according the following standards
SIA 262/1:2013-08; SN 505262/1:2013-08
Concrete Structures - Supplementary specifications
Appendix C / Freeze-Thaw-Reistance. For concrete XF2(CH), XF3(CH) und XF4(CH)
ASTM C666 -03 (2008) Procedure B (!)
Standard Test Method for Resistance of Concrete to Rapid Freezing and Thawing
Here you need the option C0108 for the thawing procedure (immersed in water)
ASTM C672 / C672M - 12
Standard Test Method for Scaling Resistance of Concrete Surfaces Exposed to Deicing Chemicals
ASTM C1262 - 10
Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Freeze-Thaw Durability of Dry-Cast Segmental Retaining Wall Units and Related Concrete Units
EN 1338
Concrete paving blocks - Requirements and test methods; German version EN 1338:2003
EN 1339
Concrete paving flags - Requirements and test methods
EN 1340
Concrete kerb units - Requirements and test methods
EN 1348:2007-12-31 This standard is withdrawn and replaced by the EN 12004-2:2017-05
Adhesives for tiles - Determination of tensile adhesion strength for cementitious adhesives.
Here you need the option C0108 for the thawing procedure (immersed in water)
EN 12004-2:2017-05
Adhesives for ceramic tiles - Part 2: Test methods
Here you need the option C0108 for the thawing procedure (immersed in water). The specimen are frozen in 2 hours to -15°C. This temperature is hold another 2 hours. The specimed are thawed inmersed in water at +15°C for another 2 hours. After 25 cycles the tensile adhesion strength is measured.
EN 1367-1-2007
Tests for thermal and weathering properties of aggregates - Determination of resistance to freezing and thawing.
Here you need, according to paragraph 8.1.d the option C0108 for the thawing procedure (immersed in water) . The minimum air temperature allowed in the standard is -22°C. The temperature in the can should in the range from -15°C to -20°C for at least 4 hours. Please notice that the cooling rate in the cans is at given -22°C only influenced by the heat capacity and the thermal condictivity of the specimen, the water and the cans.
We are also delivering the required cans, seamless made of stainless steel incl. lid. Order code C0665S
EN 1367-6:2008
Tests for thermal and weathering properties of aggregates. Determination of resistance to freezing and thawing in the presence of salt (NaCl).
Here the flooding option C0108 not necessary.
We are also delivering the required cans, seamless made of stainless steel incl. lid. Order code C0665S
EN 1367-7:2014 Tests for thermal and weathering properties of aggregates - Part 7: Determination of resistance to freezing and thawing of Lightweight aggregates
This European Standard specifies the reference test method used for type testing, and in case of dispute, for determining the resistance to freezing and thawing of lightweight aggregates (LWA) in accordance with EN 13055. For other purposes, in particular for factory production control, other methods may be used provided that an appropriate working relationship with the reference method has been established. The test is applicable to LWA with particle size not less than 4 mm and up to a maximum size of 32 mm.
Freezing on air for at least 240 minutes at (−17,5 ± 2,5) °C. After that add water to the containers with the test specimens and store for at least 60 min in a water bath at a temperature of (20 ± 3) °C.
On completion of the 20th freezing and thawing cycle, pour the contents of each container into a sieve having an aperture size that is half the lower size sieve used to prepare the test specimen. Then dry and weight the specimen.
Hint: Here you need the option C0108 for the thawing procedure (immersed in water). During the thawing period the water temperature must be at +20°C ± 3°C. If there is no AC in the lab, at room temperatures higher then 23°C an add. chiller for the external water tank may be necessary. For the test you need perforated specimen containers. Please ask Schleibinger for a recommendation.
CEN/TS 12390-9:2006 (former prEN 12390-9 )
Testing hardened concrete - Freeze-thaw resistance - Scaling, Method 1: Reference Method and alternative method Cube-Test.
For the Cube-Test you need the option C0108 or C0108-S for the thawing procedure (immersed in water)
EN 12091:2013
Thermal insulating products for building applications. Determination of freeze-thaw resistance
Here you need the option C0108 for the thawing procedure (immersed in water)
EN 12371
Natural stone test methods - Determination of frost resistance
Here you need the option C0108 for the thawing procedure (immersed in water)
EN 12467:2012-12
Fibre-cement flat sheets - Product specifications and test methods. Chapter 7.4
Here you need the option C0108 for the thawing procedure (immersed in water)
EN 12808-3:2009-01
Grouts for tiles - Determination of flexural and compressive strength
Here you need the option C0108 for the thawing procedure (immersed in water)
ISO/DIS 13007-2.2
Ceramic Tiles - Adhesives - Part 2: Test Methods for Adhesives
Here you need the option C0108 for the thawing procedure (immersed in water)
EN 13383-2
Armourstone Part 2: Test methods
Here you need the option C0108 for the thawing procedure (immersed in water)
EN 13687-3:2002
Products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures. Test methods. Determination of thermal compatibility. Thermal cycling without de-icing salt impact
Here you need the option C0108 for the thawing procedure (immersed in water) . Max 4 specimen 30 x 30 x 5 cm with a distance of 10 cm will fit into the inner vessel (vertically)
EN 14617-5:2012
Agglomerated stone - Test methods - Part 5: Determination of freeze and thaw resistance
Here you need the option C0108 for the thawing procedure (immersed in water) .
The principle of this test method is the determination of the ratio between the flexural strength of specimens after 25 freeze/thaw cycles and that of unfrosted specimens. One freeze/thaw cycle includes a freezing part, when a water saturated specimen is frozen (temperature (– 20 ± 5) °C) on air, and a thawing part, when the frosted specimen is immersed in tap water (temperature (20 ± 5) °C).
Max 4 specimen 30 x 30 x 5 cm with a distance of 10 cm will fit into the inner vessel (vertically)
EN 14891:2013-07
Liquid-applied water impermeable products for use beneath ceramic tiling bonded with adhesives - Requirements, test methods, evaluation of conformity, classification and designation.
Here you need the option C0108 for the thawing procedure (immersed in water)
CEN/TR 15177:2006
Testing the freeze-thaw resistance of concrete. Internal structural damage. Here you need also an instrument for measuring the internal structure damage for example the Vikasonic.
If you are using beams 100x100x400 mm you would add. need the option C0108 for the thawing procedure (immersed in water)
DIN V 18004
Use of building products in construction works - Test methods for aggregates according to DIN V 20000-103 and DIN V 20000-104
ONR 22303:2010 09 01
Test methods for concrete - National application of testing standards for concrete and its source materials
EN 772-22:2019
Methods of test fpr masory units - Part 22: Determination of freeze/thaw resistance of clay masonry units.
Max specimen size 58 x 58 cm². Requires option C0108 and C01085.
ASTM C1645 - 22a
Standard Test Method for Freeze-thaw and De-icing Salt Durability of Solid Concrete Interlocking Paving Units.
ASTM C1262
Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Freeze-Thaw Durability of Dry-Cast Segmental Retaining Wall Units and Related Concrete Units
Technical Data
| Mains | V/Hz | 230V/1Ph/50Hz or 115V/60Hz (option) |
| Power | kW | about 1.0 |
| Outer Size | cm (wxdxh) | 70 x 83 x 215, 70 x 91 x 215 with Option C0108 |
| Inner Size | cm (wxdxh) | 53 x 65 x 155 |
| Vessel Size (Option C0108) | cm (wxdxh) | 50 x 60 x 48, volume approx. 144l |
| Minimum Temperature | °C | -35 |
| Maximum Temperature | °C | +45 |
| Max. number of shelfs | 24 | |
| Min. distance between 2 shelfs | mm | 55 |
| Max weight per shelf | kg | 60 |
| Shelf size | cm (w x d) | 53 x 65 (Gastronorm 2/1) |
| Weight approx. | kg | 133 |
Technical data may be changed without notice.
Power supply: 230 V / 50 Hz, (240 V / 60 Hz or 115V / 60 Hz optional), Power 1.0 kW, maximum weight per shelf 60 kg, Refrigerant R290a
In the chamber a stainless steel container with the dimensions of approx. 50 x 60 x 48 cm (w x d x h) is mounted (removable). A 2nd container will be placed outside and contains a pump and a heating unit. During freezing, the inner container is empty. To thaw the tempered water is pumped from the outer container into the inner container. Then the water keeps in the inner vessel. After the thawing period the water is drained again into the outer vessel. Time for flooding and emptying is free programmable.
Whith this feature the Slabtester is suitable for testing of natural stones according to EN 12371, aggregates according to EN 1367-1, tile-glue according to EN 1348:2007 and others (see above).
The Circulation Option is quite similarto the standard Flooding option C0108. The outer and inner vessel are slightly bigger. The inner vessel has an overflow. The vessel is filled from the bottom and drained by the overflow below the upper border of the vessel. The pump is permanently running during the thawing period. After the thawing period the pump is stopped and the water is draining from the inner vessel to the outside vessel. The inner vessel has a drawer mechanism to pull the vessel for placing the specimen.
User manual Slabtester with Flooding
User manual Slabtester with Flooding and Water Circulation
Video showing the specimen preparation according to CEN/TS 12390-9
Presentation about the Slabtester
Video: Quickstart with the Slabtester
