Standardization News

The texture - often called the profile - of concrete is one of the most important characteristics for a coating or overlayment bonding. A new ASTM International standard now fills the need within the concrete surface preparation field for a means of measuring and permanently replicating the profile of a concrete coated building surface.

D7682, Test Method for Replication and Measurement of Concrete Surface Profiles Using Replica Putty, was developed by Subcommittee D01.46 on Industrial Protective Coatings, part of ASTM International Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials and Applications.

"This technique uses replica putty to make impressions of concrete surfaces for either visual comparison or for quantifying the surface roughness," says David Beamish, general manager, DeFelsko Corp., and a D01 member.

The new standard will be useful to several different parties:

Coating inspectors can retain profile replicas that can be viewed or measured on-site, prior to coating application, and used as a pass/fail test of whether surface preparations meet specifications;Owners can retain replicas should a failure occur;Contractors can retain replicas for verification of adherence to the specification's required anchor profile ranges;Coating manufacturers can designate within the product data sheet the range requirements for the coating being used on the project, andEngineers can write specifications utilizing the coating manufacturer's product data sheets that designate a profile range for the required coating.

To purchase ASTM International standards, visit www.astm.org and search by the standard designation number, or contact ASTM Customer Relations (phone: 610-832-9585).

CONTACT Technical Information: David Beamish, DeFelsko Corp. • Ogdensburg, N.Y. • Phone: 315-393-4450 • Email: dbeamish@defelsko.com O ASTM Staff: Jeffrey Adkins • Phone: 610-832-9738 • Email: jadkins@astm.org O Upcoming Meeting: June 19-21 • In conjunction with D02 June Meeting • Baltimore, Md.