M 153 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS
Standard Specification for
Preformed Sponge Rubber and Cork Expansion Joint Fillers for Concrete Paving and
Structural Construction
AASHTO DESIGNATION: M 153-94
(ASTM DESIGNATION: D 1752-84 (1992))
1. SCOPE elastic sponge rubber compound, using 5.5 Expansion-In the case of self-
synthetic rubber or natural rubber as a expanding cork (Type III) expansion
base and containing no reclaimed rubber joint filler only, the test specimen after
1.1 This specification covers preformed or factice. Unless otherwise specified, the being immersed in boiling water for 1
expansion joint filters of the following sponge rubber shall have a cement gray hour, shall have a final thickness not less
three types for use in concrete, brick, or color to blend with concrete in than 140 percent of the thickness before
stone construction: appearance. test. Discoloration of the water shall not
1.1.1 Type I-sponge rubber, 4.2 Cork and Self-Expanding Cork-The be considered an indication of failure.
1.1.2 Type II-cork, joint filler shall consist of preformed 5.6 Boiling in Hydrochloric Acid-In the
1.1.3 Type III-self-expanding cork. strips that have been formed from clean case of cork and self-expanding cork
granulated cork particles securely bound (Types II and III) expansion joint fillers
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be
together by a synthetic of an insoluble only, the test specimen shall show no
regarded as the standard.
nature. evidence of serious disintegration.
NOTE 1-Attention is called to AASHTO M 4.3 Preformed strips of expansion joint Discoloration, or a small amount of
213 and AASHTO M 33. swelling, shall not be considered as
fillers shall be of such character as not to
be deformed or broken by ordinary failure. The test specimens shall be
2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS handling when exposed to atmospheric examined immediately-after the end of
conditions. Pieces of the joint filler which the boiling period and shall be rejected
have been damaged shall be rejected. for any of the following evidences of
2.1 AASHTO Standards: disintegration: (1) particles of cork
T 42 Test for Preformed dislodged during the boiling period (Note
Expansion Joint Filler for 5. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 2), (2) specimen lacks resiliency, is very
Concrete Construction friable, and easily broken to pieces, or (3)
surface of specimen appears porous and
M 213 Specifications for Preformed 5.1 Test Specimen-The sample to be
particles of cork are easily dislodged by
Expansion Joint Fillers for tested shall be cut from the sheet as
rubbing with forgers.
Concrete Paving and Structural manufactured, and shall be representative
Construction (Non-extruding and of the sheet stock. NOTE 2-Particles of cork dislodged from
Resilient Bituminous Types) 5.2 Recovery-The test specimen shall be edges cut during preparation of the specimen
should not be considered as constituting failure
M 33 Specifications for Preformed compressed to 50 percent of its thickness under this requirement.
Expansion Joint Filler for before test. The load shall be released
Concrete (Bituminous Types) immediately after application. At the end 5.7 Density-In the case of sponge rubber
of 10 minutes after release of application (Type I) expansion joint filler only, the
of the load, the specimen shall have density of the air-dry filler shall be not
3. ORDERING INFORMATION recovered to at least 90 percent of its less than 480 kg/m3 (30 lb/ft3).
thickness before test.
3.1 Products conforming to this 5.2.1 In case of failure to comply with 6. DIMENSIONS AND PERMISSI-
specification are manufactured in sheet the above requirements, the test specimen BLE VARIATIONS
form to a range of thicknesses: namely shall be given three applications of a load
6.4, 9.5, 12.7, 19.1, and 25.4 mm (¼, ⅜, sufficient to compress the material to 50
½, ¾, and 1 in.). Sheet sizes may be 0.9 percent of its thickness before test. The 6.1 The preformed strips shall conform to
or 1.2 m (3 or 4 ft) in widths and lengths load shall be released immediately after the dimensions specified or shown on the
of 0.9, 1.5, 1.8, 3.0, or 3.7 m (3, 5, 6, 10, each application. At the end of 1 hour plans. Strips of the joint filler which do
or 12 ft). Purchaser must specify sheet after the third application, the specimen not conform to the specified dimensions,
sizes when ordering. shall have recovered that least 90 percent within the permissible variations of ± 1.6
3.2 Joint filler in strip form is cut from of its thickness before the test. mm (1/16 in.) in thickness, ± 3.2 mm (⅛
the sheets as manufactured. When orde- in.) in depth, and ± 6.4 mm (¼ in.) in
5.3 Compression-The load required to
ring joint filler strips the purchaser must length shall be rejected.
compress the test specimen to 50 percent
specify thickness, widths and length; strip of its thickness before test shall be not
widths are available from 50 mm (2 in.) less than 0.34 nor greater than 10.35 MPa 7. SAMPLING
in increments of 13 mm (½ in.). (50 to 1500 psi).
5.4 Extrusion-The test specimen shall be 7.1 Size and Number of Samples-Each
4. MATERIALS compressed to 50 percent of its thickness sample shall consist of sufficient material
before test with three of the edges to provide at least five test specimens
restrained. The amount of extrusion of measuring 114 by 114 mm
4.1 Sponge Rubber-The joint filler shall the free edge shall not exceed 6.4 mm
consist of preformed strips of a durable, (approximately 4 ½ by 4 ½ in.).
(0.25 in).
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M 153 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS
7.2 For self-expanding cork joint filler, a 9. REJECTION AND RETEST 10. PACKAGING
minimum of five 114 by 114 mm (4½ by
4½ in.) square specimens properly
banded and plastic wrapped at the point 9.1 Material that fails to conform to the 10.1 Preformed expansion joint filler
of manufacture shall be submitted for requirements of this specification may be in sheets or strips should be stored and
testing. rejected. Rejection should be reported to transported on pallets or suitable flat sur-
the manufacturer or supplier promptly face to prevent breakage and permanent
7.3 Samples shall be packaged for safe and in writing. In case of dissatisfaction deformation due to weather conditions.
transportation to the testing agency in with the results of the test, the manu-
such a manner that there will be no 10.2 Self-expanding cork filler shall
facturer or supplier may request retesting. be wrapped in waterproof paper-sealed-in
danger of distortion or breakage.
a manner that will prevent the entrance of
moisture, and packaged in sizes
8. TEST METHODS convenient for handling on the job.
8.1 Determine the properties prescribed
in this specification in accordance with T
42.
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