ASTM D5329 TEST DETAILS
Cracks and joints in asphalt pavement surfaces and concrete pavers can be repaired with sealants and fillers that are applied while hot. These sealants and fillers are exposed to the same rugged environmental conditions as the road surface to which they are applied. This might include the weight of vehicles, shifts in the underlying earth, impacts from miscellaneous debris, and natural elements, such as heat, cold, rain, and UV radiation.
The purpose of ASTM D5329 is to determine whether a sealant or filler can maintain a safe and effective seal while in service. Because these materials may encounter such a wide range of environmental factors, the standard includes a wide range of sealant test methods to ensure comprehensive assessment of the material’s performance.
Unlike some sealant testing standards, ASTM D5329 is appropriate for sealant and filler materials that may be exposed to fuel while in service. This may include refueling stations, maintenance facilities, and other environments.
STANDARD TEST PROCEDURES
Bond Assessments
The purpose of a bond assessment is to evaluate the sealant or filler’s ability to stay bonded to the concrete surface even under stress. To conduct a bond assessment, two concrete blocks are created and set up in a specified configuration. The sealant material is poured into the space between the blocks and allowed to cool. The blocks and sealant are then placed in an environmental conditioning chamber at cold temperatures and subjected to extension, or “pulled apart.” The test unit is then examined for signs of separation between the sealant and the concrete blocks.
The sample can also be placed in an immersion test chamber filled with water or fuel. This is an excellent option for materials that may be frequently subjected to water or fuel while in service.
Cone Penetration
Cone penetration testing is ideal for quantifying the degree to which a material may soften when exposed to certain conditions. A cured sample of the sealant or filler under test is immersed in water, fuel, or another fluid for a set period of time. Once the sample has been removed and dried, a standard, laboratory-grade penetration cone is applied to three separate areas of the sample. These measurements are used to calculate the average depth of penetration.
Flow Assessments
Flow assessments can help predict whether sealant or filler material will flow, or move, when subjected to heat after curing. To conduct a flow assessment, a material sample is poured into a standard mold and cured. The sample is then placed in a forced-draft oven. After a set period of time, the molded sample is removed and examined for signs that flow occurred during the test period.
Asphalt Compatibility
To conduct asphalt compatibility testing, a groove is cut into the top surface of a prepared asphalt block. The ends of the groove are caulked to prevent leaking, and joint sealant is poured into the groove and cooled. The block is placed into a forced-draft oven for a period designated by the test method. Afterward, the sealant is examined for signs of incompatibility. Since these signs may vary based on material, specific signs are detailed in the test method.
Tensile Adhesion
Surfaces and pavers may shift slightly over time due to weather and temperature, which can strain sealants and fillers. Tensile adhesion testing is designed to predict how a sealant or filler may react to these and other tensile stressors. A sealant or filler is poured between two concrete blocks and cured. The two blocks are then pulled apart at a controlled speed and level of force until the specimen reaches complete failure. A technician then takes note of whether the failure was adhesive or cohesive and the percentage of elongation achieved before failure occurred.
Resilience
To conduct a resilience test, a cured sample of sealant or filler is placed in a water bath for a set period of time. The sample is then removed and covered with a light coating of talc to prevent sticking. A ball penetration tool is used to manually penetrate the sample. The sample is then allowed to rest for a brief period, at which point the site of penetration is measured for rebound. Resilience testing can also be conducted on a sample that has been aged in a conditioning oven.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESISTANCE TEST PROCEDURES
Oven Aging
ASTM D5329 does not include procedures exclusively for oven aging. However, oven aging is an important step in many of the test methods detailed in ASTM D5329. Some sealant tests are conducted before and after oven aging to determine the effects on oven aging on a given material property or performance attribute.
Artificial Weathering
Artificial weathering chambers can recreate and isolate environmental conditions in a controlled laboratory setting, enabling for data-driven prediction of how a material may behave while in use outdoors. Sealant and joint filler samples can be subjected to a combination of simulated sunlight, moisture, and heat. These conditions may also cycle during the test period to simulate changing weather conditions. After testing, the samples are examples for changes and signs of deterioration.
Comprehensive sealant testing from ACE Laboratories
The experts at ACE have years of experience conducting complex, multifaceted testing on sealant and filler materials of all kinds. Our labs are equipped to conduct every test outlined in ASTM D5329, and we can help you navigate the many steps of this standard. Whether you’re looking to benchmark a new product under development or demonstrate compliance of a product that’s ready to go to market, you can count on ACE for accurate data on a timeline that works for you.
To learn more about ASTM D5329 and get your sealant testing project started, talk to a member of our team.
