Perma | Rapid Chloride Permeability

In concrete materials, the DC electrical resistance of concrete is correlated with important durability parameters of concrete such as chloride diffusion coefficient and the chloride migration coefficient that are used for the durability design or service life design of concrete structures.

Perma™ is a laboratory device for testing the durability of concrete exposed chloride-contaminated environment including:

• Concrete’s ability to resist chloride ion penetration (ASTM C1202, AASHTO T277)
• Bulk electrical conductivity of concrete (ASTM C1760)
• Performance-based quality control of concrete
• Estimation of chloride diffusion coefficient of concrete
• Estimation of chloride migration coefficient of concrete

• Stand alone operation
• Easy-to-assemble
• Accurate (±0.1 mA)
• Auto-seal cells with rubber gasket and spacer (i.e. does not require caulking)
• Flexible logging interval time (1 to 10 min)
• Automatic temperature control system
• Four measurement channels
• User-friendly PC software (optional)
• Customizable setup
• USB connection to computer (optional)
• Verification kit accessory (optional)

ASTM C1202-12 : Standard Test Method for Electrical Indication of Concrete's Ability to Resist Chloride Ion Penetration

AASHTO T277-07 : Standard Method of Test for Electrical Indication of Concrete's Ability to Resist Chloride Ion Penetration

ASTM C1760-12 : Standard Test Method for Bulk Electrical Conductivity of Hardened Concrete

General

Type	Value
Applied Voltage	60 ± 0.1 V
Range of current measurement	0 ~ 500 mA ± 0.1 mA
Temperature measurement range	0 ~ 100°C
Measurement channels	4
Short circuit protection system	Yes
Measurement display on LCD	Yes
Remaining time display on LCD	Yes
LCD display area	65x33 mm
Dimensions of Perma™ Device	280x240x104 mm
Weight	2 Kg

Operating conditions

Type	Value
Operating temperature	15 ~ 45 °C
Operating humidity	30 ~ 80%
Storage temperature	0 ~ 70°C
Operating voltage/current	100 ~ 240 V, 50-60Hz

Part No.	Item	Description
900070	Perma™ Rapid Chloride Permeability Test - Full Package-115V	Perma™ unit, Four set of test cells , For set of temperature sensors, Four pairs of test cables, Power cord, USB cable, User manual, Communication software, Standard Sample Preparation Package-115V, Verification Kit, Traceable certificate of calibration
900073	Perma™ Rapid Chloride Permeability Test - Full Package-230V	Perma™ unit, Four set of test cells , For set of temperature sensors, Four pairs of test cables, Power cord, USB cable, User manual, Communication software, Standard Sample Preparation Package-230V, Verification Kit, Traceable certificate of calibration
900071	Perma™ Test Package	Perma™ unit, Four set of test cells , For set of temperature sensors, Four pairs of test cables, Power cord, USB cable, User manual, Communication software, Verification Kit, Traceable certificate of calibration
900042	Sample Preparation Package-115V	Vacuum pump, Vacuum desiccator (single outlet, ID 24 cm, 8.8L), Vacuum gauge, Vacuum and water hosing setup
900043	Sample Preparation Package-230V	Vacuum pump, Vacuum desiccator (single outlet, ID 24 cm, 8.8L), Vacuum gauge, Vacuum and water hosing setup
900103	Enhanced Preparation Package-115V	Vacuum pump, Vacuum desiccator(double outlet, ID 35 cm, 10L), Vacuum gauge, Vacuum and water hosing set up
900104	Enhanced Preparation Package-230V	Vacuum pump, Vacuum desiccator(double outlet, ID 35 cm, 10L), Vacuum gauge, Vacuum and water hosing set up

The following replacement parts are available upon request:

Part No.	Item	Description
900072	Perma™ Device	Perma™ unit, Four set of temperature sensors, Four pairs of test cables, Power cord, USB cable, User manual, Communication software
900064	Verification Kit	Verification kit is required to verify the test results
900021	Test Cell	Plexiglas holder, Rubber gasket cast (4" Dia), Stainless steel mesh, Plastic spacer,Bolts, Nuts
900027	Stainless Steel Mesh - Pair	130 mm diameter
900028	Rubber Gasket Cast - Pair	100 mm (4") diameter
900039	Rubber Gasket Core - Pair	95 mm (3.75") diameter
900022	Test Cable Set	Test cable with banana male plug
900023	Temperature Sensor	Digital temperature sensor
900024	Vacuum Pump Assembly-115	Vacuum pump, Vacuum gauge
900025	Vacuum Pump Assembly-230	Vacuum pump, Vacuum gauge
900026	Vacuum Desiccator Assembly	Vacuum desiccator, Vacuum and water hosing setup
900027	Enhanced Vacuum Desiccator Assembly	Vacuum desiccator (double outlet, ID 35 cm, 10L), Digital vacuum gauge, Vacuum and water hosing setup
900093	NaCl Sodium Chloride Solution	One gallon of 3.0% NaCl Solution
900029	NaOH Sodium Hydroxide Solution	One gallon of 3.0% NaOH Solution

Q1: What vacuum pressure is the vacuum pump setup for conditioning the specimens?
A: According to the ASTM C1202, a vacuum pressure of 50 mm Hg should be applied. This is equivalent to a maximum of about -28 in Hg on the pressure gauge supplied with the Perma™ vaccum pump. So, it is required to keep the pressure using the vacuum pump supplied, less than -28 in Hg during the conditioning of the RCPT specimens.

Q2: Is caulking required for the testing cell ?
A: No, caulking is not needed for Perma testing cell. The specimen should have epoxy coating, in order to keep the chloride penetration one-dimensional.

1. Ahmed, M. S., Kayali, O., & Anderson, W. (2009). Evaluation of Binary and Ternary Blends of Pozzolanic Materials Using the Rapid Chloride Permeability Test. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 21(9), 446-453.
2. Bassuoni, M. T., Nehdi M. L., & Greenough T. R. (2006). Enhancing the Reliability of Evaluating Chloride Ingress in Concrete Using the ASTM C1202 Rapid Chloride Penetrability Test. Journal of ASTM International, 3(3), 1-13.
3. Shi, C. (2004). Effect of Mixing Proportions of Concrete on its Electrical Conductivity and the Rapid Chloride Permeability Test (ASTM C1202 or AASHTO T277) Results. Cement and Concrete Research, 34(3), 537-545.