Our chemical testing division makes use of highly trained and passionate staff to bring you quality specialized test results to meet any construction requirements.

At STEYN-WILSON Laboratories we have been building and expanding our Chemical testing division to offer some of the most specialized tests. We are constantly expanding and already house 14 accredited methods.

Test methods include:

  • PARTICLE SIZE OF MATERIAL SMALLER THAN 2 mm
  • SAND EQUIVALENT VALUE OF FINE AGGREGATES
  • DETERMINATION OF THE pH VALUE OF A SOIL SUSPENSION
  • DETERMINATION OF THE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY OF A SATURATED SOIL PASTE AND WATER
  • DETERMINATION OF THE ETHYLENE GLYCOL DURABILITY INDEX FOR ROCK
  • DETERMINATION OF THE INITIAL STABILIAZER CONSUMPTION OF SOILS AND GRAVELS
  • DETERMINATION OF THE CEMENT OR LIME CONTENT OF STABILIZED MATERIALS BY MENAS OF THE BACK-TITRATION (acid based) METHOD
  • ORGANIC IMPURITIES IN FINE AGGREGATES
  • DETECTION OF SUGAR IN FINE AGGREGATES
  • SOLUABLE DELETERIOUS IMPURITIES IN FINE AGGREGATES
  • CHLORIDE CONTENT OF AGGREGATES
  • TOTAL WATER-SOLUBLE SALTS CONTENT OF FINES IN AGGREGATES
  • DELETERIOUS CLAY CONTENT OF THE FINES IN AGGREGATE (Methylene blue absorption indicator test)
  • DETERMINATION OF THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY AND RESISTIVITY OF SOIL AND SOFT ROCK BY THERMAL NEEDLE PROBE
  • ALKALI SILICA REACTION (prism method) (ASR)

ASR

Alkali-silica reaction

Commonly known as ‘concrete cancer’ is an expansive reaction that can occur over time between aggregate components and alkaline hydroxides from cement. This can cause damage to the hardened concrete in a building or other structure, and necessitate extensive remedial works. Currently there is no cure for this reaction in already hardened concrete, which makes this test a necessity in the designing of concrete and cement works.
We follow the test method as described in SANS 6245. The method measures potential reactivity of aggregates with alkalis via the accelerated mortar prism method.