ASTM F1516-23
(Practice)Standard Practice for Sealing Seams of Resilient Flooring Products by the Heat Weld Method (when Recommended)
Standard Practice for Sealing Seams of Resilient Flooring Products by the Heat Weld Method (when Recommended)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Seams in some resilient flooring are heat sealed to prevent openings from forming between cut edges and to prevent penetrations of dirt, liquids, etc., into the seams. Decorative appearances may also be achieved using contrasting heat weld thread (rod).
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the instructions and precautions to be observed to ensure satisfactory performance of seams in resilient flooring sealed by the heat weld method.
1.2 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. See precaution information in 6.1.
1.3 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.
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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: F1516 − 23
Standard Practice for
Sealing Seams of Resilient Flooring Products by the Heat
1
Weld Method (when Recommended)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1516; 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 5. Instructions
1.1 This practice covers the instructions and precautions to
5.1 Flooring shall be installed in accordance with the
be observed to ensure satisfactory performance of seams in manufacturer’s instructions.
resilient flooring sealed by the heat weld method.
5.2 Particular attention shall be paid to proper cutting of
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
seams and tightness of cut seams. Specified tightness of seams
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
to be heat sealed (welded) will vary depending on the flooring
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
product and type of tools used to perform the heat weld.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
5.3 Prior to heat welding, seams shall be routed to a depth
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
specified by the manufacturer. Routing can be accomplished
See precaution information in 6.1.
with electric or hand routing tools as specified by the manu-
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
facturer. Follow flooring manufacturer’s instructions for spe-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
cific details.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5.4 Unless specified otherwise by the resilient manufacturer,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
wait 24 h before routing and heat welding the seams. This
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
allows time for the adhesive to set. Heat welding must be
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
completed before beginning initial flooring maintenance. Some
tile products are routed at the factory, and on site routing is not
2. Referenced Documents
2 required. Heat welding involves the melting of thread (rod)
2.1 ASTM Standards:
into the gap of a routed seam. Special electric hot air tools with
F141 Terminology Relating to Resilient Floor Coverings
variable temperature settings are required. Because tempera-
ture settings will vary, depending on the length and wire gauge
3. Terminology
of extension cord, room and under floor temperature, floor
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this practice refer to
covering material, welding rod composition, etc, test welding
Terminology F141.
is recommended. Verify the correct thread color, then using
excess or scrap material, make test welds as needed to establish
4. Significance and Use
heat welding conditions. Next, do a trial length seam and
evaluate after cooling to determine if the bond strength and
4.1 Seams in some resilient flooring are heat sealed to
appearance of the weld thread to the seam edges are satisfac-
prevent openings from forming between cut edges and to
tory. Weld threads are available in a variety of plain, solid
prevent penetrations of dirt, liquids, etc., into the seams.
colors and patterned versions. The color or pattern of the thread
Decorative appearances may also be achieved using contrast-
can be selected to either match with the flooring color to hide
ing heat weld thread (rod).
or disguise the seam or contrast with the flooring color to
accent the seam.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F06 on Resilient
5.5 Approximately one-half of the weld thread thickness
Floor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.40 on
will adhere to the seam. The excess will be trimmed off flush
Practices.
with the surface of the flooring when cooled. Trimming of
Current edition approved May 1, 2023. Published May 2023. Originally
excess weld thread is accomplished using a one- or two-step
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as F1516 – 13 (2018).
DOI: 10.1520/F1516-23.
process depending upon product type; one for most rubber
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
products and in two steps for vinyl and linoleum products.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Welded seams shall be allowed to cool before trimming.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. Follow manufacturer’s specifi
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F1516 − 13 (Reapproved 2018) F1516 − 23
Standard Practice for
Sealing Seams of Resilient Flooring Products by the Heat
1
Weld Method (when Recommended)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1516; 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
1.1 This practice covers the instructions and precautions to be observed to ensure satisfactory performance of seams in resilient
flooring sealed by the heat weld method.
1.2 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. See precaution information in 6.1.
1.3 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F141 Terminology Relating to Resilient Floor Coverings
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this practice refer to Terminology F141.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Seams in some resilient flooring are heat sealed to prevent openings from forming between cut edges and to prevent
penetrations of dirt, liquids, etc., into the seams. Decorative appearances may also be achieved using contrasting heat weld thread
(rod).
5. Instructions
5.1 Flooring shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
5.2 Particular attention shall be paid to proper cutting of seams and tightness of cut seams. Specified tightness of seams to be heat
sealed (welded) will vary depending on the flooring product and type of tools used to perform the heat weld.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F06 on Resilient Floor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.40 on Practices.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2018May 1, 2023. Published January 2018May 2023. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20132018 as
F1516-13. DOI: 10.1520/F1516-13R18. – 13 (2018). DOI: 10.1520/F1516-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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F1516 − 23
5.3 Prior to heat welding, seams shall be routed to a depth specified by the manufacturer. Routing can be accomplished with
electric or hand routing tools as specified by the manufacturer. Follow flooring manufacturer’s instructions for specific details.
5.4 Unless specified otherwise by the resilient manufacturer, wait 24 h before routing and heat welding the seams. This allows time
for the adhesive to set. Heat welding must be completed before beginning initial flooring maintenance. Some tile products are
routed at the factory, and on site routing is not required. Heat welding involves the melting of thread (rod) into the gap of a routed
seam. Special electric hot air tools with variable temperature settings are required. Because temperature settings will vary,
depending on the length and wire gauge of extension cord, room and under floor temperature, floor covering material, welding rod
composition, etc, test welding is recommended. Verify the correct thread color, then using excess or scrap material, make test welds
as needed to establish heat welding conditions. Next, do a trial length seam and evaluate after cooling to determine if the bond
strength and appearance of the weld thread to the seam edges are satisfactory. Weld threads are available in a variety of plain, solid
colors and patterned versions. The color or pattern of the thread can be selected to either match with the flooring color to hide or
disguise the seam or contrast with the flooring color to accent the seam.
5.5 Approximately one-half of the weld thread thickness w
...
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