ASTM F3041-14(2024)

Standard Specification for Bonded Rubber Crumb Floor Coverings

SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for the compound and physical characteristics of bonded rubber crumb floor coverings.  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered 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: 31-Dec-2023
• ICS: 97.150 - Floor coverings
• Technical Committee: F06 - Resilient Floor Coverings
• Drafting Committee: F06.80 - Specifications

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F3041-14(2019) - Standard Specification for Bonded Rubber Crumb Floor Coverings
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM D883-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM D883-23 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023

Overview

The ASTM F3041-14(2024) standard, titled Standard Specification for Bonded Rubber Crumb Floor Coverings, sets comprehensive requirements for the composition and physical properties of bonded rubber crumb floor coverings. Developed by ASTM International, this specification covers both roll and tile types and addresses key aspects such as durability, dimensional stability, recycled content, and safety considerations. The standard ensures products are manufactured to consistent quality for use in various environments including residential, commercial, and institutional spaces.

Key Topics

• Compound and Physical Characteristics: Specifies material composition, uniformity, and bonding of rubber granules. Mandates that crumb rubber be vulcanized and thermoset for optimal resilience.
• Product Types and Classifications: Defines two main types:
  • Type I - Roll flooring
  • Type II - Tile flooring
  • Further classified by recycled content (Class A-D), supporting sustainable and eco-friendly building practices.
• Dimensional and Tolerance Criteria: Outlines minimum thickness (0.060 in./1.5 mm), tolerances for roll and tile sizes, and maximum allowable variations in squareness and dimensions.
• Performance Requirements:
  • Abrasion resistance
  • Flexibility under various conditions
  • Resistance to static load, heat, and short-term chemical exposure
  • Dimensional stability over time and use
• Visual and Aesthetic Standards: Establishes guidelines for color uniformity, acceptable appearance, and permissible natural variations due to raw material.
• Ordering and Marking Details: Details purchasing information, marking, and packaging to ensure proper delivery and traceability.

Applications

Bonded rubber crumb floor coverings specified by ASTM F3041-14(2024) are widely used in a variety of applications due to their resilient, sustainable, and slip-resistant characteristics:

• Commercial Buildings: Ideal for high-traffic areas such as schools, gyms, healthcare facilities, and offices where durability and ease of maintenance are essential.
• Residential Spaces: Common in playrooms, basements, and home gyms for safety and comfort.
• Public and Institutional Facilities: Frequently installed in recreation centers, libraries, and similar venues, offering impact absorption and noise reduction benefits.
• Sustainable Construction: With classifications based on recycled content, these floor coverings support green building initiatives and may contribute to environmental certification credits.

Related Standards

Several ASTM and ANSI standards are referenced in ASTM F3041-14(2024) to ensure comprehensive assessment of bonded rubber crumb floor coverings:

• ASTM D883 - Terminology Relating to Plastics
• ASTM D1566 - Terminology Relating to Rubber
• ASTM D3389 - Abrasion Resistance of Coated Fabrics
• ASTM F137 - Flexibility of Resilient Flooring Materials
• ASTM F386 - Thickness of Resilient Flooring Materials
• ASTM F710 - Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring
• ASTM F925 - Resistance to Chemicals of Resilient Flooring
• ASTM F970 - Recovery Properties After Static Loading
• ASTM F1514 - Heat Stability by Color Change
• ASTM F2055 - Size and Squareness of Resilient Floor Tile
• ASTM F2199 - Dimensional Stability and Curling After Heat Exposure
• ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 - Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes

By following the requirements and guidelines established in ASTM F3041-14(2024), manufacturers, designers, and end users can ensure the quality, performance, and safety of bonded rubber crumb floor coverings. Leveraging this international standard supports consistency, reliability, and sustainability in resilient flooring products across a wide range of applications.

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: F3041 − 14 (Reapproved 2024)
Standard Specification for
Bonded Rubber Crumb Floor Coverings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3041; 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 F925 Test Method for Resistance to Chemicals of Resilient
Flooring
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for the com-
F970 Test Method for Measuring Recovery Properties of
pound and physical characteristics of bonded rubber crumb
Floor Coverings after Static Loading
floor coverings.
F1482 Practice for Installation and Preparation of Panel
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Type Underlayments to Receive Resilient Flooring
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
F1514 Test Method for Measuring Heat Stability of Resilient
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
Flooring by Color Change
and are not considered standard.
F2055 Test Method for Size and Squareness of Resilient
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the Floor Tile by Dial Gauge Method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
F2199 Test Method for Determining Dimensional Stability
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- and Curling Properties of Resilient Flooring after Expo-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
sure to Heat
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2.2 American National Standard:
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 Sampling Procedures and Tables for In-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
spection by Attributes
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3. Terminology
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1 Definitions:
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.1 crumb rubber, n—Material derived from reducing
rubber material into smaller granules. The granular material
2. Referenced Documents
shall (1) satisfy the definition of rubber in Terminology D1566,
and (2) have been vulcanized, as defined in Terminology
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1566 (under vulcanization), such that it becomes thermoset
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
as defined in Terminology D883.
D1566 Terminology Relating to Rubber
D3389 Test Method for Coated Fabrics Abrasion Resistance
3.1.2 skive, vt—to cut thin layers off (leather or rubber, for
(Rotary Platform Abrader)
example); pare.
F137 Test Method for Flexibility of Resilient Flooring Ma-
3.1.3 skive marks, n—marks left on the material from the
terials with Cylindrical Mandrel Apparatus
process of skiving; blade marks; striations.
F141 Terminology Relating to Resilient Floor Coverings
3.2 For additional definitions refer to Terminology F141.
F386 Test Method for Thickness of Resilient Flooring Ma-
terials Having Flat Surfaces
4. Classification
F710 Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive
4.1 Bonded rubber crumb floor coverings covered by this
Resilient Flooring
specification shall be classified as follows:
4.1.1 Type:
1 4.1.1.1 Type I – Roll
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F06 on
Resilient Floor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.80 4.1.1.2 Type II – Tile
on Specifications.
4.1.2 Class – Recycled content by weight
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2024. Published January 2024. Originally
4.1.2.1 Class A – Recycled content ≥80 %
approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as F3041 – 14 (2019).
4.1.2.2 Class B – Recycled content ≥50 % and <80 %
DOI: 10.1520/F3041-14R24.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3041 − 14 (2024)
4.1.2.3 Class C – Recycled content ≥10 % and <50 % 7.4 Dimensional Stability—Test in accordance with Test
4.1.2.4 Class D – Recycled content <10 % Method F2199.
7.4.1 Bonded rubber crumb flooring shall not change in
5. Ordering Information
linear dimensions more than nominal 0.050 in. per linear foot
(60.40 %).
5.1 The purchasers shall state whether this specification is to
NOTE 5—Test Method F2199 is suitable only for tiles up to 1 in. thick.
be used, select the preferred options permitted herein, and
include the following information in the invitation to bid or 7.5 Resistance to Heat—When tested in accordance with
purchase order:
Test Method F1514, the flooring shall have an average ΔE of
5.1.1 Title, number and date of this specification. not more than 8.00.
5.1.2 Type, class and pattern number.
7.6 Resistance to Short-Term Chemical Exposure—Test in
5.1.3 Quantity, in square feet, lineal feet or as specified.
accordance with Test Method F925 using the following
5.1.4 Roll thickness required (see 8.1.1).
chemicals, which represent an abbreviated list:
5.1.5 Roll width required (see 8.1.2).
White vinegar (5 % acetic acid)
5.1.6 Roll length required (see 8.1.2).
Rubbing alcohol (70 % isopropyl alcohol)
5.1.7 Tile thickness required (see 8.2.1).
Sodium hydroxide solution (5 % NaOH)
5.1.8 Tile size required (see 8.2.2).
Hydrochloric acid solution (5 % HCl)
5.1.9 Lot information, if other than as specified in ANSI/
Sulfuric acid solution (5 % H SO )
2 4
ASQC Z1.4.
Household ammonia solution (5 % NH OH)
5.1.10 Packing requirements, if other than as specified.
Disinfectant cleaner (5 % active phenol)
5.1.11 Palletization, if required.
The flooring shall have no more than a slight change in surface
5.1.12 Other requirements.
dulling, surface attack or color change.
NOTE 6—These basic chemicals are representative of those likely to be
6. Materials and Manufacture
found in domestic, commercial and institutional use. Many proprietary
compounds contain one or more of these basic chemicals. Should the
6.1 The color, finish and wearing surface characteristics
flooring need to be resistant to a specific chemical, this additional
shall match the sample mutually agreed upon between the
requirement should become part of the procurement document.
buyer and seller.
NOTE 1—The colors and patterns that are available are indicated in 8. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
individual manufacturer’s current catalogs. As manufactured, and due to
8.1 Type 1 material, roll:
the uncontrollable characteristics of the raw material, colors may vary
8.1.1 Thickness—The thickness of the floor covering shall
somewhat in hue or shade from the catalog.
NOTE 2—Differences in color and texture can result in shading variation be as specified in the contract or order. The minimum thickness
from piece to piece. Color and texture differences or striation is inherent
shall be 0.060 in. (1.5 mm). A tolerance of 60.020 in. (60.50
in the manufacturing process and is not considered a defect.
mm) from the specified thickness shall be permitted, provided
NOTE 3—Where color match is a concern, samples from the manufac-
the product thickness does not go below the minimum thick-
turer shall be obtained to verify color or shade acceptability, or both.
ness of 0.060 in. (1.5 mm). Thickness is measured in accor-
6.2 Bonded rubber crumb flooring shall be of uniform
dance with Test Method F386.
structure and composition throughout, consisting of rubber
8.1.2 Length and Width—The length/width shall not be less
granules thoroughly and uniformly bonded together.
than as ma
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