Pulverized Fuel Ash
(Fly Ash — IS 3812)

Complete physical and chemical testing of pulverized fuel ash (fly ash) for use in concrete and cement as per IS 3812 — verifying fineness, activity index, soundness, loss on ignition and chemical composition.

Overview

What is the Pulverized Fuel Ash (PFA) Testing?

Pulverized Fuel Ash (PFA / Fly Ash) is a pozzolanic by-product of coal combustion collected from electrostatic precipitators at thermal power stations. When used as a partial cement replacement in concrete, fly ash improves workability, reduces heat of hydration, enhances long-term strength and significantly reduces chloride permeability.

At Global Lab, fly ash testing is conducted as per IS 3812 Part 1 (for use in concrete) and IS 3812 Part 2 (for use as admixture in cement), covering fineness (Blaine and 45μm sieve), lime reactivity, compressive strength activity index, soundness (autoclave expansion), loss on ignition and key chemical parameters.

IS 3812 Complete Test Suite

All mandatory physical and chemical tests per IS 3812 Part 1 and 2.

Strength Activity Index

28-day mortar strength activity index vs OPC control — key performance indicator.

Lime Reactivity Test

Determines pozzolanic reactivity per IS 1727 — critical for concrete performance.

Loss on Ignition

LOI ≤5% per IS 3812 — excess unburnt carbon compromises air entrainment and workability.

NABL Certified Reports

All results on NABL-accredited letterhead with IS 3812 compliance statement.

Source Approval Testing

Comprehensive testing for approval of new fly ash sources.

Test in Action

Pulverized Fuel Ash (PFA) Testing — Site Images

Fly Ash Fineness Test by Blaine Method

Lime Reactivity Test Setup

Strength Activity Index Mortar Cube Testing

Test Procedure

How the Pulverized Fuel Ash (PFA) Testing is Conducted

1

Sample Collection

Fly ash sample collected from tanker, silo or bag per IS 3812 sampling procedure.
2

Physical Tests

Fineness (Blaine, 45μm sieve), specific gravity, lime reactivity per IS 1727.
3

Strength Activity Index

Mortar cubes made with 25% fly ash + 75% OPC vs 100% OPC control. 28-day strength ratio calculated.
4

Soundness & LOI

Autoclave expansion test. Loss on ignition by muffle furnace at 950°C.
5

Chemical Analysis & Report

SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, CaO, SO₃, MgO, Na₂O+K₂O chemical analysis. IS 3812 compliance. NABL report within 35 days.

Standards & Specifications

Applicable Test Standards

Standard	Title	Scope	Type
IS 3812 Part 1	Pulverized Fuel Ash — Specification for Use as Pozzolana in Cement, Cement Mortar and Concrete	Fly Ash for Concrete	Indian Standard
IS 3812 Part 2	Pulverized Fuel Ash — Specification for Use as Admixture in Cement	Fly Ash for Cement	Indian Standard
IS 1727	Methods of Test for Pozzolanic Materials	Pozzolan Testing	Indian Standard
ASTM C618	Standard Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan	Fly Ash Standard	ASTM

Applications

Where is the CAPO Test Used?

Source approval of fly ash for ready mix concrete plant use

Batch acceptance testing of fly ash deliveries for large projects

Mix design fly ash characterisation for high-volume fly ash (HVFA) concrete

PPC cement fly ash content verification

Research on fly ash from different thermal power stations

Green building and sustainable construction fly ash documentation

Why Choose Global Lab

Our Advantages

NABL Accredited ReportsLegally valid IS 3812 compliance certificates for fly ash procurement.

Chemical & Physical CombinedBoth physical and chemical parameters tested in single submission.

Autovity Digital ReportsAccess all fly ash test data and compliance records digitally.

Multiple Source ComparisonComparative testing of fly ash from multiple thermal power stations.

Mix Design IntegrationFly ash data directly used in our HPC and HVFA concrete mix designs.

Fast Physical TestsFineness, specific gravity and lime reactivity available within 7 days.

Pulverized Fuel Ash(Fly Ash — IS 3812)