ASTM D7735-17(2022)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Type A Durometer Hardness Testing of Thermoplastic Pavement Marking at Elevated Temperatures
Standard Test Method for Type A Durometer Hardness Testing of Thermoplastic Pavement Marking at Elevated Temperatures
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This method is based on the penetration of a specific type of indentor when forced into the material under specified conditions. The indentation hardness is inversely related to the penetration and is dependent on the elastic modulus, viscoelastic behavior of the material, geometry of the indentor, the applied force and temperature at test. This test method is empirical and therefore primarily for control purposes. No simple relationship exists between indentation hardness determined by this test method and any fundamental property of the material tested.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers Type A Durometer hardness of thermoplastic pavement marking material at elevated temperatures.
1.2 This test method is similar to Test Method D2240 for hardness with special attention given to keeping the temperature of the test sample and instrument constant. Within the highway materials community, it is sometimes known as “indentation resistance.”
1.3 All materials, instruments or equipment used for the determination of temperature, hardness and time shall be traceable to National Institute of Standards and Technology or other internationally recognized organizations parallel in nature.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 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.
1.6 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-Nov-2022
- Technical Committee
- D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
- Drafting Committee
- D01.44 - Traffic Coatings
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2024
- Effective Date
- 01-Jul-2016
- Effective Date
- 01-Dec-2014
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2014
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2013
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2013
- Effective Date
- 01-Aug-2012
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2012
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2011
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2011
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2011
- Effective Date
- 01-Oct-2010
- Effective Date
- 01-Feb-2010
- Effective Date
- 01-Oct-2008
- Effective Date
- 01-Oct-2008
Overview
ASTM D7735-17(2022) is the international standard test method for determining the Type A Durometer hardness of thermoplastic pavement marking materials at elevated temperatures. Developed by ASTM International, this standard focuses on measuring the indentation resistance, or surface hardness, of thermoplastic pavement markings under controlled high-temperature conditions. The test is essential for ensuring product consistency, performance, and quality in road marking applications, where material hardness impacts durability and visibility.
This method employs a Type A Durometer and specifies procedures to maintain consistent temperature conditions for both the specimen and testing equipment. The goal is to produce reliable and reproducible results that support compliance, quality assurance, and product development.
Key Topics
- Durometer Hardness Testing: Measures the resistance of thermoplastic pavement markings to indentation using a Type A Durometer.
- Elevated Temperature Environment: Ensures both the test sample and measuring equipment are maintained at a specified temperature (commonly 46°C or 115°F, or as agreed upon).
- Controlled Testing Conditions: Highlights the need for temperature stability during testing for accurate and repeatable measurements.
- Empirical Method: Provides a quality control and comparison tool rather than a direct measure of fundamental material properties such as elastic modulus.
- Traceability and Calibration: Requires that all equipment, particularly for temperature and hardness measurements, be traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or comparable organizations.
- Precision and Repeatability: Includes guidance on repeatability and reproducibility of results within and between laboratories, supporting standardization efforts.
Applications
The ASTM D7735-17(2022) standard is used extensively in the highway and infrastructure industry, specifically for:
- Quality Control in Manufacturing: Provides manufacturers of thermoplastic pavement markings with a consistent method to evaluate hardness during production.
- Product Development: Assists R&D teams in formulating and testing new thermoplastic marking materials with desirable properties for specific climates and service conditions.
- Performance Verification: Used by agencies and contractors to validate that pavement marking materials meet specification requirements for durability and performance at elevated roadway temperatures.
- Contract Compliance: Ensures materials delivered and applied on roadways conform to project and regulatory standards relating to surface hardness.
- Inter-laboratory Comparisons: Supports the reproducibility of results across different labs, enhancing trust in testing and vendor qualification.
Related Standards
Several other ASTM standards relate to thermoplastic pavement marking and durometer hardness testing, providing a comprehensive toolkit for industry professionals:
- ASTM D2240 - Standard Test Method for Rubber Property-Durometer Hardness (foundation for hardness measurement techniques).
- ASTM D7307 - Practice for Sampling of Thermoplastic Pavement Marking Materials.
- ASTM D7308 - Practice for Sample Preparation of Thermoplastic Pavement Marking Materials.
- ASTM E177 - Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods.
- ASTM E691 - Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method.
Key SEO terms: Type A Durometer, thermoplastic pavement marking, hardness testing, ASTM D7735, elevated temperature, indentation resistance, pavement marking materials, road marking standard, material hardness.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM D7735-17(2022) is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Test Method for Type A Durometer Hardness Testing of Thermoplastic Pavement Marking at Elevated Temperatures". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 5.1 This method is based on the penetration of a specific type of indentor when forced into the material under specified conditions. The indentation hardness is inversely related to the penetration and is dependent on the elastic modulus, viscoelastic behavior of the material, geometry of the indentor, the applied force and temperature at test. This test method is empirical and therefore primarily for control purposes. No simple relationship exists between indentation hardness determined by this test method and any fundamental property of the material tested. SCOPE 1.1 This test method covers Type A Durometer hardness of thermoplastic pavement marking material at elevated temperatures. 1.2 This test method is similar to Test Method D2240 for hardness with special attention given to keeping the temperature of the test sample and instrument constant. Within the highway materials community, it is sometimes known as “indentation resistance.” 1.3 All materials, instruments or equipment used for the determination of temperature, hardness and time shall be traceable to National Institute of Standards and Technology or other internationally recognized organizations parallel in nature. 1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. 1.5 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. 1.6 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.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 5.1 This method is based on the penetration of a specific type of indentor when forced into the material under specified conditions. The indentation hardness is inversely related to the penetration and is dependent on the elastic modulus, viscoelastic behavior of the material, geometry of the indentor, the applied force and temperature at test. This test method is empirical and therefore primarily for control purposes. No simple relationship exists between indentation hardness determined by this test method and any fundamental property of the material tested. SCOPE 1.1 This test method covers Type A Durometer hardness of thermoplastic pavement marking material at elevated temperatures. 1.2 This test method is similar to Test Method D2240 for hardness with special attention given to keeping the temperature of the test sample and instrument constant. Within the highway materials community, it is sometimes known as “indentation resistance.” 1.3 All materials, instruments or equipment used for the determination of temperature, hardness and time shall be traceable to National Institute of Standards and Technology or other internationally recognized organizations parallel in nature. 1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. 1.5 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. 1.6 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.
ASTM D7735-17(2022) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 93.080.30 - Road equipment and installations. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM D7735-17(2022) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM D16-24, ASTM D16-16, ASTM D16-14, ASTM E177-14, ASTM E177-13, ASTM E691-13, ASTM D16-12, ASTM D7308-07(2012), ASTM E691-11, ASTM D16-11a, ASTM D16-11, ASTM E177-10, ASTM D16-10, ASTM E177-08, ASTM E691-08. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM D7735-17(2022) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
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: D7735 − 17 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Test Method for
Type A Durometer Hardness Testing of Thermoplastic
Pavement Marking at Elevated Temperatures
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7735; 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 D16 TerminologyforPaint,RelatedCoatings,Materials,and
Applications
1.1 This test method covers Type A Durometer hardness of
D2240 Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer Hard-
thermoplastic pavement marking material at elevated tempera-
ness
tures.
D7307 Practice for Sampling of Thermoplastic Pavement
1.2 This test method is similar to Test Method D2240 for
Marking Materials
hardness with special attention given to keeping the tempera-
D7308 Practice for Sample Preparation of Thermoplastic
ture of the test sample and instrument constant. Within the
Pavement Marking Materials
highway materials community, it is sometimes known as
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
“indentation resistance.”
ASTM Test Methods
1.3 All materials, instruments or equipment used for the E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
determination of temperature, hardness and time shall be
traceable to National Institute of Standards and Technology or
other internationally recognized organizations parallel in na- 3. Terminology
ture.
3.1 Definitions:
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.1.1 The terms and definitions in Terminology D16 apply
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
to this method.
only.
3.1.2 hardness, adv—the value of resistance of a small
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the penetrating device. In the case of the Type A Durometer in
accordance with Test Method D2240, the presser foot/indentor
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- (spherical to 0.79 mm 6 0.03 mm or 0.03 in. 6 0.001 in.) is
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- connected to a spring loaded to a total of 0.075 N/Durometer
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. units at full deflection. For reading of Type A hardness the
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor- instruments scale reads from 0 to 100. Minimal deflection is 0
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- (softest) and maximum is 100 (hardest).
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.1.3 thermoplastic, n—pavement marking (same as 3.1.4).
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.4 thermoplastic pavement marking—a highly filled
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
100 % total solids highway marking system that when heated
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
toamoltenstatecanbeextrudedorsprayedontoaroadsurface
and when cooled forms a solid durable delineator or thermo-
2. Referenced Documents
plastic pavement marking usually melted to 220 °C (425 °F).
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4. Summary of Test Method
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
4.1 This method was developed to enable the testing of
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
hardness or indentation resistance of thermoplastic pavement
Subcommittee D01.44 on Traffic Coatings.
marking material at ambient roadway/highway temperatures.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2022. Published December 2022. Originally
Due to the speed at which basic thermoplastic pavement
approved in 2011. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D7735 – 17. DOI:
10.1520/7735-17R22.
marking cools, testing its hardness at elevated temperatures is
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
difficult, even at a relatively low 46 °C (115 °F). Existing
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
non-standardmethodsarenotconsistentbecausetheyallowthe
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. samples to change temperature during testing. By keeping both
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7735 − 17 (2022)
the test samples and the hardness tester in a regulated environ- 9. Procedure
ment before and during testing, the results are much more
9.1 Sample the thermoplastic pavement marking in accor-
repeatable within a laboratory. The goal for this method is to
dance with Practice D7307 then begin preparation of samples
allow results from this test to be more reproducible from
in accordance with Practice D7308.
laboratory to laboratory.
9.2 Pour thermoplastic that has been heated to 425 °F (or
4.2 The methodology involves measuring the hardness of
per manufacturer’s recommendation) into a 20 mL aluminum
thermoplastic pavement marking by keeping the test sample in
pan, or larger, to approximately half full, and then allow
the elevated temperature environment (a water bath) during the
cooling to room temperature.
testing process and using a Durometer that can be placed in the
water bath and function. This method could be performed in a
9.3 Turn on heater on water bath and oscillator or stirrer and
glove box/oven if the door was not opened before or during the
allow the temperature to stabilize to 46 °C 6 1.0 °C (115 °F 6
testing.
3.0 °F) or as agreed upon by the involved parties
9.4 Turnonovensetto46 °C 61.0 °C(115 °F 63.0 °F)or
5. Significance and Use
as mutually agreed upon by the involved parties and place the
5.1 This method is based on the penetration of a specific
Type A Durometer inside
type of indentor when forced into the material under specified
conditions. The indentation hardness is inversely related to the NOTE 1—A bath or oven operated outside the recommended tempera-
ture control may result in greater result variability.
penetration and is dependent on the elastic modulus, viscoelas-
tic behavior of the material, geometry of the indentor, the
9.4.1 Other temperatures can be used when agreed upon
applied force and temperature at test. This test method is
between the parties involved.
empirical and therefore primarily for control purposes. No
9.5 Place cooled thermoplastic pavement marking hardness
simple relationship exists between indentation hardness deter-
sample in water bath.
mined by this test method and any fundamental property of the
material tested.
9.6 Samples should be allowed to equilibrate to the required
temperature for at least one hour before being tested.
6. Apparatus
9.6.1 Samples should be tested within three hours of being
6.1 Safety Glasses.
placed into the water.
6.2 Aluminum Pans(20mL)oradequatesizefortesterbase.
9.7 Before testing sample, remove lid from water bath.
Quickly place hardness tester from oven in the water bath
6.3 A Hardness Tester Type A Needle-type Durometer in
making sure that the needle point and bottom of weight is
accordance with Test Method D2240.
below the waterline. This will ensure that tester is exactly the
6.4 Constant 1000 g Load Weight for Type A Durometer.
same temperature as sample.
6.5 Optional—Test Block Kit containing Type A Durometer
NOTE 2—If the tester is removed from the water during the testing
samples with values traceable to an accredited calibration
process, its temperature will change and cause variations in results.
laboratory. Sample(s)canbetestedmultipletimesaslongassampleandtesterbottom
ar
...




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