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D5167-13 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide
The ASTM D5167-13 (Reapproved 2024) standard, under the jurisdiction of Committee D04 on Road and Paving, establishes a critical and uniform practice for melting and heating hot-applied joint and crack sealants and fillers. This procedure is specifically designed to prepare standard test specimens for consistent and reliable laboratory evaluation. By adhering to this practice, manufacturers, testing agencies, and users can ensure that material behavior is assessed on a level playing field, independent of the specific test methods that follow.
📜 Scope and Primary Application
This practice covers the procedure for melting or heating, or both, of hot-applied joint and crack sealants and fillers in preparation for the making of test specimens. The scope explicitly applies to materials used in both portland cement and asphaltic-concrete pavements. The specifics regarding sampling requirements, the exact quantity of the test sample, precise melting and heating temperatures and times, and the total number of specimens required for testing are dictated by the relevant material specification standard, not by this practice alone.
Key terminology, such as maximum heating temperature and minimum application temperature, is defined by reference to the now-withdrawn Terminology D5535. Practitioners should consult these definitions to ensure proper application of the melting and heating protocols.
🌡️ Standard Conditions and Material Preparation
Consistent conditioning of the sealant material is the first step toward a successful evaluation. Section 5.1 of the standard mandates strict control over the laboratory environment before any heat is applied. The material must be conditioned for a full 24 hours under the following standard conditions, closely following the guidelines of Practice E171/E171M.
| 🟦 Condition Parameter | 📏 Specified Value | 📐 Governing Document |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 23 ± 2 °C (73.4 ± 3.6 °F) | Practice E171/E171M |
| Relative Humidity | 50 ± 10 % | Practice E171/E171M |
| Conditioning Period | 24 hours minimum | Section 5.1 |
For precise temperature measurement and control, the standard references Specification E1 for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers and Test Method E220 for the Calibration of Thermocouples. The table below summarizes the primary reference documents that support this practice.
| ⚡ Reference Document | 🎯 Relevant Purpose |
|---|---|
| D5535 (Withdrawn 2009) | Terminology for formed-in-place sealants for joints and cracks in pavements. |
| E1 / E220 | Specification and calibration methods for thermometers and thermocouples. |
| E171/E171M | Standard practice for conditioning and testing flexible barrier packaging. |
⚠️ Safety, Units, and Compliance
Safety is of critical importance during the handling of hot-applied materials. Section 7 of the standard addresses specific precautions that must be taken. Furthermore, a specific warning is issued regarding mercury-containing products.
⚠️ Mercury Hazard Alert: Mercury has been designated by the EPA and many state agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central nervous system, kidney, and liver damage. Mercury and its vapor are hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Users must handle mercury and mercury-containing products with extreme caution, consult the applicable Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), and check state laws, as selling such products into your state may be prohibited.
📐 Critical Note on Units: The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. They are not exact equivalents. To avoid nonconformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems is strictly prohibited.
This standard does not purport to address all safety concerns associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔍 What is the specific scope of ASTM D5167-13?
The practice establishes a uniform procedure for melting or heating hot-applied joint and crack sealants and fillers in preparation for making laboratory evaluation test specimens. It is applicable to materials used in both portland cement and asphaltic-concrete pavements.
💡 What are the exact standard conditions for material conditioning?
Per Section 5.1, the material must be conditioned for a minimum of 24 hours under standard conditions defined as 23 ± 2 °C (73.4 ± 3.6 °F) and 50 % ± 10 % relative humidity, as detailed in Practice E171/E171M.
⚡ How should units be handled according to this standard?
Values in SI units and inch-pound units are each regarded separately as standard. They are not exact equivalents. The standard explicitly requires that each system be used independently of the other, as combining values can result in nonconformance.
📌 What are the responsibilities of the user regarding safety?
The standard states it does not address all safety concerns. The user is responsible for establishing appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determining the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautions are outlined in Section 7 of the standard.