ABSTRACT
Sealant performance can be viewed as satisfactory if it passes ASTM or one or more federal specifications, or if the actual test conditions within the specification can be studied to see if the conditions used in the tests adequately mimic the actual conditions the sealant will see in use. This chapter presents a brief summary of the important features in specs. It is essential to know the amount of movement a given joint is expected to take, to be sure the design will accomodate such movements and the sealants have demonstrated their ability to handle such movements. When specifications consider the shearing actions of the slabs and include tests with very quick shearing stress, and when they start to include meaningful weatherometry and penetration tests at elevated temperatures, then roadways and airfields will begin to last longer.
