| Product Quality |
Compressive strength |
Test results should identify specimen age, curing conditions, mix design, and test method. ASTM C39/C39M is commonly used for cylindrical concrete specimens; EN 12390-3 is used for compressive strength of hardened concrete cubes or cylinders. |
Recent third-party or laboratory test report, mix-design identification, specimen dimensions, curing record, and batch traceability. |
12% |
5 = complete and repeatable data; 3 = partial data; 1 = unsupported claim. |
| Flexural or splitting tensile performance |
Polymer modification is often selected to improve cracking resistance and bond-related performance. ASTM C78/C78M, ASTM C496/C496M, or EN 12390-5 may be used depending on the specified test type. |
Test method, specimen age, polymer type, polymer dosage range, average result, standard deviation, and failure description. |
10% |
5 = method and variation reported; 3 = average only; 1 = marketing statement only. |
| Bond strength to existing concrete |
Bond performance should be assessed under the intended substrate condition, including dry, damp, prepared, or contaminated surfaces. ASTM C882/C882M is commonly used for slant-shear bond strength of epoxy-resin systems; project specifications may require a different method for polymer-modified cementitious materials. |
Bond-test method, substrate strength, surface preparation, moisture condition, failure mode, and minimum acceptance value. |
12% |
5 = application-specific testing; 3 = generic testing; 1 = no test evidence. |
| Drying shrinkage and cracking control |
ASTM C157/C157M can be used to measure length change of hardened hydraulic-cement mortar and concrete. Acceptance limits should be set for the actual application rather than copied between products. |
Length-change data, curing protocol, specimen age, restraint conditions if tested, and recommended joint or curing practice. |
8% |
5 = complete time-based results; 3 = limited results; 1 = no shrinkage data. |
| Durability and permeability |
ASTM C1202 evaluates electrical indication of chloride-ion penetration. Results are influenced by curing, saturation, specimen age, and mixture composition, so test conditions must be reported. |
Chloride permeability report, water absorption or sorptivity data where relevant, curing details, and exposure limitations. |
8% |
5 = multiple relevant durability tests; 3 = one relevant test; 1 = unsupported durability claim. |
| Freeze-thaw and scaling resistance |
ASTM C666/C666M is commonly used for resistance to rapid freezing and thawing. ASTM C672/C672M may be used for scaling resistance where deicing chemicals are involved. |
Number of cycles, relative dynamic modulus or mass loss, deicing exposure details, and specimen conditioning records. |
8% |
5 = climate-specific testing; 3 = general test data; 1 = no relevant data. |
| Raw Materials and Production Control |
Polymer identification and consistency |
Common polymer modifiers include acrylic, styrene-butadiene, and vinyl acetate-based systems. Performance depends on polymer chemistry, solids content, dosage, and compatibility with cement and admixtures. |
Technical data sheet, safety data sheet, polymer solids content, recommended dosage, storage limits, and compatibility information. |
8% |
5 = full formulation controls disclosed; 3 = basic data; 1 = unidentified modifier. |
| Batch-to-batch quality control |
Consistent water-to-cementitious-material ratio, aggregate grading, polymer dosage, setting time, workability, and strength are key indicators of production control. |
Batch records, certificate of analysis, retained-sample policy, calibration records, and nonconformance procedure. |
8% |
5 = documented and traceable; 3 = partially documented; 1 = no traceability. |
| Packaging and shelf life |
Dry-mix products should state net weight, lot number, manufacturing date, storage temperature and humidity limits, unopened shelf life, and mixing water requirements. |
Label artwork, packaging specification, shelf-life statement, storage instructions, and damaged-package handling procedure. |
5% |
5 = complete labeling and traceability; 3 = minor gaps; 1 = unclear labeling. |
| Application workability |
Relevant data may include mixing time, pot life, open time, slump or flow, setting time, placement thickness, finishing window, and curing requirements. |
Application guide, field-mixing procedure, temperature range, equipment requirements, and trial-mix report. |
7% |
5 = application-specific guidance; 3 = generic guidance; 1 = insufficient instructions. |
| Certifications and Compliance |
Quality management system |
ISO 9001 certification applies to an organization’s quality-management system; it does not by itself certify the performance of a specific polymer-modified concrete product. |
Valid certificate, certification scope, issuing body, expiry date, and manufacturing-site address. |
5% |
5 = valid and site-specific; 3 = valid but scope unclear; 1 = unverifiable claim. |
| Environmental management and product documentation |
ISO 14001 relates to environmental-management systems. Environmental Product Declarations, recycled-content declarations, or VOC information should be evaluated only when required by the project. |
Current certificate or declaration, product scope, verification details, and applicable regional requirements. |
3% |
5 = independently verified and relevant; 3 = internal declaration; 1 = no supporting document. |
| Regulatory and project compliance |
Compliance depends on destination market and use case. Confirm applicable requirements for construction products, chemical safety, transport, potable-water contact, fire performance, and public infrastructure projects. |
Declaration of performance or conformity where applicable, safety data sheet, restricted-substance statement, and project-specific compliance matrix. |
5% |
5 = requirement-by-requirement evidence; 3 = partial evidence; 1 = generic certificate only. |
| Technical Support |
Pre-sales engineering support |
Support should cover substrate assessment, surface preparation, mix selection, thickness, reinforcement, curing, environmental conditions, and compatibility with existing materials. |
Written method statement, product-selection rationale, drawing review record, and named technical contact. |
6% |
5 = project-specific engineering input; 3 = standard guidance; 1 = sales-only support. |
| Trial application and field validation |
A controlled mock-up or trial panel can verify mixing, placement, finishing, bond, curing, appearance, and actual site productivity before full-scale installation. |
Trial plan, acceptance criteria, inspection checklist, test results, corrective-action process, and signed trial report. |
5% |
5 = supervised and documented trial; 3 = customer-led trial; 1 = no validation support. |
| After-sales response and problem resolution |
Evaluate the supplier’s documented process for handling complaints, nonconforming batches, technical queries, replacement decisions, and root-cause analysis. |
Service-level procedure, escalation contacts, complaint log format, root-cause template, and corrective-action example with confidential information removed. |
4% |
5 = formal response process; 3 = informal support; 1 = no defined process. |