ASTM D5078/D5078M-11(2021)

Standard Specification for Crack Filler, Hot-Applied, for Asphalt Concrete and Portland Cement Concrete Pavements

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the standards for hot-applied crack filler proposed for use in filling cracks in asphalt concrete and portland cement concrete pavements. The filler shall be a compound that will effectively fill cracks in concretes and shall resist softening and pickup by vehicle tires at ambient summer temperatures. The fillers shall also comply with the requirements set for the safe heating temperature, softening point, cone penetration, resilience, and asphalt compatibility.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers hot-applied crack filler for use in filling cracks in asphalt concrete and portland cement concrete pavements.  
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2021
• ICS: 93.080.20 - Road construction materials
• Technical Committee: D04 - Road and Paving Materials
• Drafting Committee: D04.33 - Formed In-Place Sealants for Joints and Cracks in Pavements

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D36/D36M-14(2020) - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Refers: ASTM D5329-20 - Standard Test Methods for Sealants and Fillers, Hot-Applied, for Joints and Cracks in Asphalt Pavements and Portland Cement Concrete Pavements
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Refers: ASTM D5/D5M-19a - Standard Test Method for Penetration of Bituminous Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2019
• Refers: ASTM D217-19a - Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• Refers: ASTM D217-19 - Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Refers: ASTM D5167-13(2018) - Standard Practice for Melting of Hot-Applied Joint and Crack Sealant and Filler for Evaluation
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Refers: ASTM D217-16 - Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2016
• Refers: ASTM D5329-16 - Standard Test Methods for Sealants and Fillers, Hot-Applied, for Joints and Cracks in Asphalt Pavements and Portland Cement Concrete Pavements
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2016
• Refers: ASTM D5329-15 - Standard Test Methods for Sealants and Fillers, Hot-Applied, for Joints and Cracks in Asphalt Pavements and Portland Cement Concrete Pavements
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2015
• Refers: ASTM D36/D36M-14 - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2014
• Refers: ASTM D5167-13 - Standard Practice for Melting of Hot-Applied Joint and Crack Sealant and Filler for Evaluation
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2013
• Refers: ASTM D5/D5M-13 - Standard Test Method for Penetration of Bituminous Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2013
• Refers: ASTM D36/D36M-12 - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)
• Effective Date: 01-May-2012
• Refers: ASTM D5167-10 - Standard Practice for Melting of Hot-Applied Joint and Crack Sealant and Filler for Evaluation
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2010
• Refers: ASTM D217-10 - Standard Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010

Overview

ASTM D5078/D5078M-11(2021) is the established standard specification for hot-applied crack fillers used in both asphalt concrete and portland cement concrete pavements. Developed by ASTM International, this specification defines essential requirements and guidelines for materials used to fill pavement cracks, ensuring enhanced durability, resistance to weather, and suitability for roadway maintenance. The standard is designed to promote consistent quality, safety, and performance for crack filling materials, aiding in the maintenance and longevity of paved surfaces across various climates and conditions.

Key Topics

• Material Performance: The crack filler must effectively seal cracks while resisting softening and displacement caused by vehicle tires, particularly at elevated summer temperatures.
• Heating and Application:
  • The filler should be safely heated within the recommended temperature range to prevent material degradation.
  • Materials must be compatible with pressure-fed melter-applicator equipment suited for efficient pavement crack filling.
• Physical Properties:
  • Crack fillers must meet essential criteria for softening point, penetration resistance, resilience, and asphalt compatibility.
  • Application involves filling cracks at least 9.5 mm (3/8 in.) wide, typically on roadways and paved surfaces.
• Packaging and Marking:
  • The product is supplied in original sealed containers, clearly labeled with key information such as manufacturer, batch number, and safe heating temperature.
  • Each package must allow for easy removal and proper melting behavior during application.
• Quality Assurance:
  • Rigorous sampling and testing protocols are outlined to verify compliance, including methods for evaluating softening point, penetration, resilience, and asphalt compatibility.

Applications

ASTM D5078/D5078M crack fillers are widely used in the construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructure. Their primary applications include:

• Pavement Maintenance: Hot-applied crack fillers are essential for repairing cracks in roads, highways, airport runways, and parking lots surfaced with asphalt concrete or portland cement concrete.
• Preventive Preservation: By sealing cracks, these materials prevent water infiltration and debris accumulation, thus prolonging the lifespan of pavement and reducing the need for major repairs.
• Municipal and Commercial Projects: Cities, highway agencies, and property managers implement this standard to maintain pavement performance, safety, and appearance.
• Climate Adaptability: Designed to maintain durability and adhesion across varying temperature ranges, ensuring effective crack sealing through seasonal changes.

Proper use and application enhance pavement service life and reduce maintenance costs, contributing to safer and more sustainable infrastructure.

Related Standards

For comprehensive adherence and quality assurance, the following referenced ASTM standards supplement ASTM D5078/D5078M:

• ASTM D5/D5M - Test Method for Penetration of Bituminous Materials
• ASTM D36/D36M - Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)
• ASTM D217 - Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
• ASTM D5167 - Practice for Melting of Hot-Applied Joint and Crack Sealant and Filler for Evaluation
• ASTM D5329 - Test Methods for Sealants and Fillers, Hot-Applied, for Joints and Cracks in Asphalt Pavements and Portland Cement Concrete Pavements

These related standards provide further testing, handling, and application guidance to ensure full compliance and optimized performance of crack filling materials in pavement maintenance projects.

---

Keywords: asphalt concrete pavement, hot-applied crack filler, crack sealing, pavement maintenance, portland cement concrete, ASTM D5078, road crack filler, infrastructure preservation.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D5078/D5078M −11 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Specification for
Crack Filler, Hot-Applied, for Asphalt Concrete and Portland
Cement Concrete Pavements
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5078/D5078M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D5329 Test Methods for Sealants and Fillers, Hot-Applied,
for Joints and Cracks in Asphalt Pavements and Portland
1.1 This specification covers hot-applied crack filler for use
Cement Concrete Pavements
in filling cracks in asphalt concrete and portland cement
concrete pavements.
3. General Requirements
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
3.1 The hot-applied crack filler shall be a compound that
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
will effectively fill cracks in both asphalt concrete and portland
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
cement concrete pavements. The crack filler shall resist soft-
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
ening and pickup by vehicle tires at ambient summer tempera-
values from the two systems may result in nonconformance
tures when used in an appropriate manner. The material shall
with the standard.
be capable of being heated to the specified safe heating
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
temperature (see 4.1) in appropriate melting units, shall be
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
capable of being effectively applied to pavement cracks
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
through pressure-fed melter-applicator equipment, and shall be
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
suitableforfillingcracksthatareaminimumof9.5mm[ ⁄8in.]
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
in width (see Appendix X1).
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
4. Physical Requirements
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.1 Safe Heating Temperature—The safe heating tempera-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
ture is the highest temperature to which the crack filler can be
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
heated and still conform to all requirements of this specifica-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
tion.Thesafeheatingtemperatureshallbeaminimumof11 °C
[20 °F] higher than the manufacturer’s minimum recom-
2. Referenced Documents
mended application temperature. For testing purposes, the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
pouring temperature for specimen preparation shall be the safe
D5/D5M Test Method for Penetration of Bituminous Mate-
heating temperature recommended by the manufacturer. The
rials
safe heating temperature shall be shown on all containers and
D36/D36M Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen
shall be provided to the testing agency before any laboratory
(Ring-and-Ball Apparatus) tests are begun.
D217 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating
4.2 Softening Point—The softening point of the crack filler
Grease
shall be a minimum of 65.5 °C [150 °F].
D5167 Practice for Melting of Hot-Applied Joint and Crack
4.3 Cone Penetration, Non-Immersed—At 25 6 0.1 °C [77
Sealant and Filler for Evaluation
6 0.2 °F], 150 g, for 5 s, shall not exceed 70 units.
4.4 Cone Penetration at 4 °C [39.2 °F]—At 4 6 0.1 °C
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road
[39.2 6 0.2 °F], 200 g, for 60 s, shall be a minimum of 15
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.33 on
units.
Formed In-Place Sealants for Joints and Cracks in Pavements.
Current edition approved May 1, 2021. Published May 2021. Originally
4.5 Resilience—At 25 6 0.1 °C [77 6 0.2 °F], shall be a
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D5078/
minimum of 30 % recovery.
D5078M – 11 (2016). DOI: 10.1520/D5078_D5078M-11R21.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.6 Asphalt Compatibility—There shall be no failure in
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
adhesion, formation of an oily exudate at the interface between
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. the crack filler and the asphalt concrete specimen, or softening
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5078/D5078M − 11 (2021)
or other deleterious effects on the asphalt concrete or crack until slightly overfilled, and then immediately leveled to flush
filler when tested at 60 °C [140 °F] for 72 h. withthetopofthesamplecontainerusingastraightedge.Three
specimens in 177-mL [6 ounce] sample containers shall be
5. Sampling
poured. Two are for cone penetration testing and one for
resilience testing.
5.1 Samples may be taken at the plant or warehouse prior to
delivery or at the time of delivery, at the option of the
purchaser. If sampling is done prior to shipment, the inspector 7. Test Methods
representingthepurchasershallhavefreeaccesstothematerial
7.1 Specimen Curing—All specimens shall be cured at
to be sampled. The inspector shall be afforded all reasonable
standard laboratory atmospheric conditions specified in Test
facilities for inspection and sampling which shall be conducted
Methods D5329 for 24 6 2 h prior to beginning any testing.
so as not to interfere unnecessarily with the operation of the
7.2 Softening Point—Use Test Method D36/D3
...