(Issued 1 Dec.

1988) C 522

CRD-C 522-88

STANDARD METHODS OF TESTING JOINT SEALANTS,

COLD-APPLIED, NON-JET-FUEL-RESISTANT, FOR
RIGID AND FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS

1. Scope 4. Significance and Use

1.1 These methods cover acceptance testing 4.1 These methods are to be used to test
of one and two component, elastomeric, cold- samples of joint sealants to determine if they
applied, non-jet-fuel-resistant (non-JFR) sealing comply with the provisions of relevant acceptance
compounds for use in sealing joints and cracks in specifications.
rigid and flexible pavements.
1.2 This standard may involve hazardous 5. Sampling
materials, operations, and equipment. This stan- 5.1 Unless otherwise specified, samples for
dard does not purport to address all of the safety testing shall be taken at the point of manufacture in
problems associated with its use. It is the respons- accordance with ASTM D 140. The samples taken
ibility of the user of this standard to establish shall be representative of the batches proposed for
appropriate safety and health practices and deter- shipment. Representative samples of the sealant
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations shall consist of not less than 3 gal. (11.4 L) from
prior to use. each batch and a proportional sample of primer as
1.3 Values given in inch-pound units are applicable. Sample identification shall include the
standard. name of the testing agency, contract or purchase
order number, batch number, and any special
2. Referenced Documents marking instructions. The purchaser may obtain
2.1 ASTM Standards: samples for testing at the point of manufacture or at
C 33 Specification for Concrete the delivery destination or both.
Aggregates (CRD-C 133)
C 150 Specification for Portland 6. Laboratory Conditions
Cement (CRD-C 201) 6.1 Laboratory standard conditions shall be
C 192 Method of Making and Curing 73.4 ± 3.6°F (23 ± 2°C) temperature and 50 ± 5
Concrete Test Specimens in the percent relative humidity. Specimens shall be stored
Laboratory (CRD-C 10) and tested at standard conditions unless otherwise
D5 Test Method for Penetration of specified.
Bituminous Materials
D8 Definitions of Terms Relating 7. Specimen Preparation
to Materials for Roads and 7.1 Mixing: The sealant shall be mixed in the
Pavements
proportioned ratio, at standard conditions, in
D 140 Method for Sampling Bitumi- accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
nous Materials
7.2 Pouring: The test material shall be poured
D 217 Test Method for Cone Penetra- or extruded as applicable into specimen containers
tion of Lubricating Grease
or molds which have been cleaned with residue-free
D 1475 Test Method for Density of solvent (isopropyl or denatured alcohol) and dried
Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and
with a clean cloth.
Related Products (CRD-C 305)
7.3 Curing: Two-component sealants shall be
D 1851 Methods of Testing Concrete
Joint Sealers, Cold-Application permitted to cure at standard conditions for not less
Type than 48 h nor more than 96 h prior to initiating test
procedures, except as otherwise specified herein.
3. Terminology One component sealant shall be permitted to cure at
3.1 Terms used in this standard are defined in standard conditions for not less than 168 h nor more
Definition D 8. than 240 h. except as otherwise specified herein.
 (Issued 1 Dec. 1988)

2 Method of Testing Joint Sealants, Cold-Applied, Non-Jet-Fuel-Resistant (C 522-88)

TEST METHODS D - Volume of the walls of the specimen

container shall be determined.
8. General
8.1 Samples taken as specified above and Volume determination of specimen = A-(C-B)-D.
prepared as specified above shall be tested as specified (One mL of distilled water at standard conditions
below. Either the manufacturer or the purchaser shall be assumed to have a mass of 1.0 g.) Remove
may request that a retest for that property be made specimen from the mass-per-gallon cup and con-
at the requestor’s expense. Such a test will be made dition at 158 ± 2°F (70 ± 1.1°C) in a forced draft
only when adequate quantity of the original oven for 168 ± 2 h, followed by cooling in air for 1
sample is available. h. and in a water bath at 77 ± 0.5°F (25 ± 0.3°C)
for 1 h. Determine the volume of the tested
9. Application Leveling Test specimen as described above. The change in
volume shall be computed as follows:
9.1 A specimen mold meeting the following
requirements shall be used. A mold, a channel
Original volume less
having both ends closed and inside dimensions of oven-aged volume x 100
1/2 in. (12 mm) wide, 1 in. (25 mm) deep, and 12in. Change in volume = Original volume
(304 mm) long, shall be supplied. In addition, the
mold shall be so constructed as to enable position-
ing the longitudinal base on a 1.5 percent slope with An average of three determinations shall be made.
a level plane. The channel may be made of not less
than 1/8 in.-(3.2-mm) thick aluminum stock, steel, 11. Swelling
or plastic. The mold shall be filled with sealant and
11.1 The specimen mold shall be a channel
immediately struck off level full with a knife edge.
having both ends closed and inside dimensions of
Within 60 sec after filling, with a minimum of
1/2 in. (12 mm) wide, 1 in. (25 mm) deep, and 12
vibration, the mold shall be positioned to provide
in. (304 mm) long. The channel may be made of
the 1.5 percent slope on the 12-in. dimension.
not less than 1/8-in.-(3.2-mm) thick aluminum
After curing for 24 h at standard conditions, the
stock, steel, or plastic. The mold shall be filled
specimen shall be examined for flow. The difference
with sealant and immediately struck off level full
in depth of the specimen at the ends of the channel
with a knife edge. The mold shall be placed on a
shall be recorded as the depth variation.
level surface to cure. After curing, determine the
10. Volume Change height of the sealant above the mold surface at the
quarter points along the longitudinal axis. Report
10.1 Three sealant specimens shall be pre- the average height above the mold surface.
pared in 1-1/2-oz (44-mL) containers. Prior to
filling the 1-1/2-oz containers, determine the 12. Tack-Free Time
volume displaced by the walls of the container and 12.1 The specimen shall be 4 by 1-1/2 by 1/4
record for high accuracy calculations. After pre- in. (101 by 38 by 6 mm), prepared using a metal or
paring the specimen, any excess material on the polyethylene mold and a base plate approximately
exterior of the container shall be removed before 3 by 6 in. (76 by 152 mm), 16 to 24 gage. The mold
curing. Each containerized specimen shall be shall be filled with sealant, concurrently with other
conditioned for 1 h at 77 ± 0.5°F (25 ± 0.3°C) just test specimens being prepared, and immediately
prior to testing. Volume measurements shall be struck off with a spatula. After curing under
made with a mass-per-gallon cup as specified in standard conditions for 12 h, a 6- by 1- by 0.004-in.
ASTM D 1475 at standard conditions. Mass (152- by 25- by 0.102-mm) polyethylene film shall
measurements shall be read to the nearest 0.01 g be loaded for 30 sec on the top surface of the
and recorded as follows: sealant using a metal plate approximately 1-5/8 by
A - Volume of mass-per-gallon cup shall be 1-1/8 in. (41 by 28 mm), not less than 30 g nor
determined. more than 31 g. On removal of the mass, the film
B - Mass of cup with specimen shall be shall be uniformly and progressively withdrawn at
determined. right angles to the surface of the sealant. Sealant
C - Mass of cup with specimen, filled with adhering to the polyethylene film shall constitute
distilled water shall be determined. failure of this test.
 (Issued 1 Dec. 1988) C 522

Method of Testing Joint Sealants, Cold-Applied, Non-Jet-Fuel-Resistant (C 522-88) 3

13. Resilience the grooves by scrubbing with a stiff-bristle brush

13.1 Two specimens shall be prepared in 6-oz under running water. Allow the specimens to dry
(177-mL) containers and cured at standard con- and return to room temperature, then securely
ditions. One specimen to be oven-aged shall be wrap with cloth-backed adhesive tape, or otherwise
further conditioned in a forced draft oven at 158 ± reinforce to prevent slumping during the test
2°F (70 ± 1.1°C) for 168 ± 2 h, followed by period. Caulk the ends of the grooves to prevent
conditioning in air at standard conditions for 1 h, leaking. Fill the groove flush with sealant and
then for 1 h in a water bath maintained at 77 ± allow to cure at standard conditions. After curing,
0.5° F (25 ± 0.3°C). The unaged specimen shall be place the specimen in a forced-draft oven at 140 ±
conditioned for 1 h in a water bath maintained at 5°F (60 ± 2.8°C) for 168 ± 2 h. Inspect at least
77 ± 0.5°F (25 ± 0.3°C). Both specimens, con- once a each day to prevent slumping. Immediately
ditioned as specified, shall be tested with a standard after removing the specimens from the oven and
penetrometer in which the ball penetration tool cooling to standard conditions, examine the spec-
shown in Fig. 1 has been substituted for the needle. imens for incompatibility of the sealant with the
The surface of the specimens may be lightly dusted bituminous concrete.
with talc with the excess immediately removed by
blowing, or the ball of the penetrometer may be 15. Flow
lightly coated with glycerine. The ball penetration 15.1 Flow shall be in accordance with ASTM
tool of the penetrometer shall be adjusted for a D 1851 except as specified herein. A nonreactive
total mass of 75 g and shall be placed in contact mold release agent shall be used. Duplicate speci-
with the surface of the specimen and the indicating mens shall be prepared and trimmed after filling
dial set at zero. A light may be so positioned that the mold and before the sealant cures. The speci-
initial contact of the ball with the surface of the mens shall be cured as specified at standard
specimen can be observed readily. Release the ball conditions prior to removal of the mold. The flow
penetration tool, allow to penetrate the specimen test shall be conducted in a forced-draft oven
for 5 sec. and record the reading as initial ball maintained at 200 ± 2°F (93.3 ± 2.2°C). At the
penetration (P), in millimetres to the nearest 0.1 completion of a 5-h exposure period, measure the
mm. Without returning the dial pointer to zero, change in length of the specimens and report the
press the ball penetration tool down an additional average as the flow value.
10 mm (i.e., to a reading of P + 10.0) at a uniform
16. Penetration
rate in 10 sec. Re-engage the clutch to hold the tool
down for an additional 5 sec and during this time 1 6 . 1 The penetration testing shall be in
return the dial pointer to zero. Release the clutch, accordance with ASTM D 5, except as specified
allow the specimen to recover for 20 sec, and herein. Use a penetrometer as specified in ASTM
record the final dial reading (F). Determinations D 217; a cone conforming to the requirements of
shall be made at three points equally spaced from the Original Method therein used in place of the
each other and not less than 1/2 in. (12.7 mm) needle. One specimen shall be prepared in a 6-oz
from the container rim. Compute the resilience as (177-mL) container and trimmed flush with the
follows: container top edge before curing at standard
conditions.
Resilience, percent = (P + 10.0 - F) 100
The average of the three determinations shall be 17. Bond to Portland-Cement Concrete
recorded as the resilience. 17.1 Extension Machine: The extension
machine used in the bond test shall be so designed
14. Compatibility with Bitumen that the specimen can be maintained at the test
14.1 Prepare duplicate specimens of hot- temperature while being extended at a uniform
mix asphaltic concrete and tar concrete, not less rate as specified. The machine shall consist essen-
than 4 in. (101 mm) in diameter and 2.5 in. (64 tially of one or more screws rotated by an electric
mm) high. Allow the specimen to cool to room motor through suitable gear reductions. Self-
temperature, then cut a groove 4 in. (100 mm) long aligning plates or grips, one of each pair fixed and
by 1/2 in. (l3 mm) wide by 3/4 in. (19 mm) deep in the other carried by the rotating screw or screws.
the top surface of each bituminous concrete shall be provided for holding the test specimen in
specimen by wet sawing. Remove all residue from position during the test.
 (Issued 1 Dec. 1988)

4 Method of Testing Joint Sealants, Cold-Applied, Non-Jet-Fuel-Resistant (C 522-88)

17.2 Concrete Block Preparation: The con- then cut the block into 1- by 2- by 3-in. (25- by
crete blocks shall be as specified herein. 50- by 75-mm) test blocks, using a 40- to 60- grit
diamond saw blade at a peripheral speed of 50.8 ±
17.2.1 Prepared Blocks: Prepared blocks
1.3 in. per sec ( 1300 mm/sec), cutting the face to be
are available from the U.S. Army Corps of
bonded in a vertical plane, and allowing vertical
Engineers, Missouri River Division Laboratory,
selvages of 1 in. (25 mm) or more for discard.
420 South 18th Street, Omaha, NE 68102.
While the blocks are still wet from the sawing
17.2.2 Materials: Use aggregate conforming operation, scrub the surfaces lightly with a stiff-
to ASTM C 33 except as specified herein. Use bristle brush, under running water. Store the
aggregate grading specified in Table 1, with coarse blocks under lime-saturated water maintained at
aggregate consisting of crushed limestone (at least standard-condition temperature. Stocks of pre-
95 percent CaC03 ) having a water absorption of pared blocks may be stored under standard con-
not more than 1.5 percent, with fine aggregate of ditions indefinitely, but blocks shall be immersed
crushed limestone manufactured from the same in lime-saturated water for not less than 7 days
parent rock as the coarse aggregate, and with fine prior to use.
aggregate approximately 40 percent of the total
17.3 Six bond test specimens (12 blocks)
aggregate solid volume. Use portland cement
shall be prepared. The blocks shall be removed
conforming to ASTM C 150, Type II. Make a
from the storage water individually, and the 2- by
concrete mixture with a water-cement ratio of 0.5
3-in. (51 - by 76-mm) faces shall be scrubbed lightly
by mass, a cement factor of 564 lb ± 45 lb/yd 3 (335
with a stiff-bristle brush, under running water, and
kg ± 27 kg/m3) of concrete, a lump of 2.5 ± 0.5 in.
resubmerged until all blocks have been scrubbed.
(65 ± 15 mm), and an air content of 5 ± 0.5 percent
Then, all blocks shall be removed from the water
by addition of an air-entraining admixture such as
and lightly blotted with an oil-free, soft, absorbent
a neutralized vinsol resin. Fine aggregate shall
cloth or paper to remove all free surface water.
approximate 40 percent of the total aggregate by
The blocks shall then be placed with the 2- by 3-in.
solid volume. Use a 10- by 17.5- by 3-in. (250- by
(51- by 76-mm) face down on blotting paper. At
450- by 75-mm) metal mold, secured to a metal
the end of the applicable drying period, pairs of
base plate to form a watertight assembly, and oiled
blocks shall be assembled to provide test specimens:
with mineral oil before use.
setup and pour shall be completed within 1 h.
Spacers and base plate shall have nonadherent,
Table I. Aggregate Grading
nonreactive surfaces. Pairs of the concrete blocks
Sieve Designation Percent Passing shall be placed on the base plate so that the 1- by
3-in. (25- by 76-mm) faces are on the plate, and the
Coarse 19.0 mm (3/4 in.) 97 - 100 2- by 3-in. (51- by 76-mm) faces which were against
aggregate 12.5 mm (1/2 in.) 63 - 69 the blotting paper form the space to be filled with
9.5 mm (3/8 in.) 30 - 36 sealant. The blocks shall be spaced 0.500 ± 0.005
4.75 mm (No. 4) 0 - 3 in. (12.7 ± 0.1 mm) apart by 0.5- by 0.5- by 2-in.
(12.7- by 12.7- by 50-mm) spacers. These spacers
Fine 4.75 mm (No. 4) 100 shall be placed at a distance from the ends of the
aggregate 2.36 mm (No. 8) 82 - 88 blocks so that an opening 0.5 by 2 by 2 in. (12.7 by
1.18 mm (No. 16) 60 - 70 50.8 by 50.8 mm) is formed. The opening shall be
600 µm (No. 30) 40 - 50 filled from bottom up with sealant in a manner to
300 µm (No. 50) 16 - 26 exclude air pockets. Specimens shall be allowed to
150 µm (No. 100) 5 - 9 cure as applicable after which spacers and base
plates shall be removed.
17.2.3 Block Preparation: Prepare and cure
the blocks in accordance with ASTM C 192 except 17.4 Nonimmersed bond: Three bond test
as specified herein. Fill the mold to overflowing, specimens, with spacers maintaining the 0.5-in.
vibrate externally 30 sec. screed (level) to a smooth (12.7-mm) dimension, shall be conditioned at the
surface with a wooden float, and level off with a test temperature, -20 ± 2° F (-28.9 ± 1.1°C), for
metal straightedge drawn across the top with a not less than 4 h. The specimens shall then be
sawing motion. Cure for not less than 14 days. extended 0.25 in. (6.35 mm) at a uniform rate
 (Issued 1 Dec. 1988) C 522

Method of Testing Joint Sealants, Cold-Applied, Non-Jet-Fuel-Resistant (C 522-88) 5

during a 2-h extension period while being main- “Nonimmersed Bond.” Three cycles shall constitute
tained at the test temperature. The specimens shall one complete test for water-immersed bond.
be removed from the extension machine, the 0.5- 17.6 Bond Test Results: After the initiation
in. (12.7-mm) spacers reinserted, and the specimens of the bond tests specified, the bond test specimens
permitted to return to their original dimensions at shall be removed from the extension machine
standard conditions. Each specimen shall be rested within 30 min after the completion of each exten-
on one concrete block so that the weight of the top sion of the test specimen. The specimens shall be
block recompresses the joint sealant. Three cycles examined for obvious separations within the
of extension and recovery shall be completed sealant, and between the sealant and the blocks
within 5 days after the start of the first cycle, and without distorting or manually causing extension
shall constitute one complete test for nonimmersed of the specimens. After the final extension and
bond. When initiation of the second or third cycle recovery are completed, the specimens shall be
is delayed, the specimens shall be stored at the test thoroughly examined for separations between the
temperature. sealant and the blocks, and within the sealant,
17.5 Water-Immersed Bond: Thinner spacers including surface checking and crazing, and for
shall be inserted between the concrete blocks of loss of resilient, rubberlike characteristics. This
the last three bond specimens, so that the opening shall be accomplished without distorting the
of not less than 0.25 by 0.5 by 1 in. (6.35 by 12.7 by specimens, but the specimens may be extended
25.4 mm) will be produced and maintained between uniformly up to 0.25 in. (6.35 mm) to permit
the spacers and sealant. Using covered containers detailed examination.
deep enough to provide a minimum of 0.5 in. (12.7
mm) of water cover, the specimens shall be 18. Report
immersed for 96 ± 1 h in 500 mL of distilled or 18.1 The results of all tests shall be reported.
deionized water per specimen and maintained at The report shall identify the sample or samples
standard conditions. The specimen shall be placed tested and give relevant information on preparation
with the concrete blocks in a horizontal position. of the test specimens. When certain tests are not
Three specimens may be placed in one container made, reasons for such omission shall be given.
provided the water-to-specimen ratio is main-
tained. At the end of the 96-h water immersion 19. Precision and Bias
period, the specimens shall be removed from the 19.1 Precison - The precision of the pro-
water, the spacers removed, and the excess surface cedures in Test Methods C 624 is being determined.
water removed from the specimens with a soft, 1 9 . 2 Bias - Since there is no accepted
dry, absorbent material. After the surface water is reference material suitable for determining the
removed, the specimens shall be subjected to bias for the procedures in Test Methods C 624, no
conditioning and extension test as described under statement on bias is being made.
 (Issued 1 Dec. 1988)

6 Method of Testing Joint Sealants, Cold-Applied, Non-Jet-Fuel-Resistant (C 522-88)

NOTES:
MATERIAL: STEEL
TOOL WEIGHT: 27.50 GRAMS PLUS OR MINUS 0.10 GRAMS
TOTAL WEIGHT ON SPECIMEN: 75.00 GRAMS PLUS OR MINUS 0.01 GRAM.

Figure 1. Ball Penetration Tool