Finally, after years of testing and development, Hylec now offers insulated, Plastic Moulds for Concrete Test Cylinders to suit 100mm diameter test samples. Hylec offers insulated plastic concrete test sample moulds that keep the sample warm in winter and cool in summer. This means 24-hour test samples are stronger in the winter and weaker in the summer. In winter, testing does not have to be delayed allowing the sample to reach the required strength and post tensioning and construction does not have to be delayed.
We have improved the mold by installing a stainless-steel inner base in the mould to stop the bottom surface being damaged by rodding etc. We have also installed a galvanised steel disk on the outside of the base to allow the mould to be used with a shaker with magnetic base. We also have a heavy-duty lid to prevent sample drying out and to provide thermal insulation of the mould for hot and cold conditions.
Boral, Hanson and Cardno in Sydney have trialed the moulds and have got higher strengths at 1, 3 and 10 days but no difference at 28 days. Sample bottom end face flatness is better than 30 micron which is about the same as end face grinding on a Marui grinder. The mould has a plug in the base with a special retaining clip. For sample removal the plug is removed with a simple tool and the sample is ejected using about 2 bar compressed air or water. A separate carry handle that fits under the molds top flange is provided for carrying the moulds.
Plastic Moulds for concrete test cylinders can speed up construction in cold weather.
The main advantages of these moulds are weight, ease of cleaning, their thermal insulating properties, and shorter test sample curing times for speedier construction. Cleaning is simple using a brush and a mild organic acid. Hydrochloric acid can damage the moulds. Cleaning time is more than halved. Moulds need to be oiled before use like the steel moulds. The mould and lid weigh about 1.5Kg meaning a mould and sample weigh less than 5KG and an operator can safely carry 3 or 4 samples and be within the safety regulations. Life of the moulds is more than 5 years. For traceability and identification, a serial number is laser cut into the outer steel base. The current pricing on the molds is shown in the table overleaf. Separate carry handles are available at extra costs.