Just out for the construction industry is ASTM D 6464, Specification for Expandable Foam Adhesives for Fastening Gypsum Wallboard to Wood Framing. The six-page document establishes minimum performance requirements to determine strength, aging, and working properties for expandable foam adhesives that bond the back surfaces of gypsum wallboards to wood framing.

Expandable foam adhesives are products that expand as they cure. Not only do they maintain good adhesion to substrates after they cure, they also fill the space between substrates.

“ASTM Standard C 557 [Standard Specification for Adhesives for Fastening Gypsum Wallboard to Wood Framing] is referenced throughout the construction industry to specify adhesives that are capable of attaching wall-board to wood studs,” says Van Foster, technical director, Elmer’s Products, Inc., Columbus, Ohio. “However, that specification is written for cartridge mastic adhesives. This new standard allows a different type of technology (expandable foam adhesives) and delivery system (pressurized container) to be used for the same application where previously only cartridge adhesives were recommended and hence, only cartridge adhesives could be approved for use. This now permits the use of newer technologies for the same end-use application and allows the adhesives to be certified accordingly.”

D 6464 was published in February, through the work of a task group in ASTM Subcommittee D14.70 on Construction Adhesives, under Committee D14 on Adhesives. The specification provides well-defined procedures for conducting shear strength and tensile strength at various conditions. It also specifies other test methods to measure such important performance requirements as bridging and substrate wet-out.

Included in the six-page document are figures of assemblies and specimens, and tables on performance requirements. A blank sample form with six tables and details for reporting test results is supplied for photocopying and reuse.

ASTM standards are available by calling Customer Service (610/832-9585), or through the Web site.

For further technical information, contact Van Foster, Elmer’s Products, Inc., 1000 Kings Mill Parkway, Columbus, OH 43229 (614/225-7692). Committee D14 meets Oct. 23-25 during ASTM Committee Week in Orlando, Fla. For meeting or membership details, contact manager Len Morrissey, ASTM (610/832-9730). //

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