The document discusses ASTM standards for scrap tire-derived materials. It provides an overview of several ASTM standards including those for ground rubber, tire-derived fuel, asphalt rubber, tire-derived aggregate, loose fill playground rubber, and rubber infill. The standards help legitimize the scrap tire industry by providing consistent terminology, testing procedures, and material specifications. While not perfect, the ASTM standards overall provide a positive framework for the industry. Similar CEN standards also exist in Europe.

1. The ASTM Standards for Scrap Tire-
Derived Materials
MICHAEL BLUMENTHAL
PRESIDENT, MARSHAY, INC.
PRESENTED TO THE TIRE & RUBBER
ASSOCIATION OF CANADA 2014
RUBBER RECYCLING SYMPOSIUM

2. ASTM International
ASTM International, formerly known as the American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), is a globally
recognized leader in the development and delivery of
international voluntary consensus standards. Today,
some 12,000 ASTM standards are used around the
world to improve product quality, enhance safety,
facilitate market access and trade, and build
consumer confidence

3. Why are Standards Necessary?
ASTM standards are recognized and accepted and can be used in
court
The scrap tire industry had a credibility problem in the early years:
terms were being used without references
Buyers were concerned about differences between what was
promised and what was delivered
Industry was facing many competitors whose materials had ASTM
standards

4. ASTM Standards for Ground Rubber
2 standards for ground rubber were developed in 1992
1992 was the first time that scrap tires were used as feed stock for ground rubber. Tire buffings,
a byproduct of tire retreading, were the dominate material at that time.
Developed as part of an effort by the RMA & NRC to get recycled materials onto the Chicago
Board of Trade (CBOT). The effort failed, but the industry was able to standardize terminology
and testing practices.
Written by the F11 committee
The two standards have not been updated since 1992. There was an effort to update the
standards 2011-2013 but there was very little input from the US ground rubber industry

5. ASTM Standards for Ground Rubber
D5603-01: Standard Classification for Rubber Compounding Materials: Recycled
Vulcanizate Particulate Rubber
Terminology; Sizing of particles; Sampling procedures; Testing and Density
How to run the tests to determine the size of the ground rubber
D5644-01: Standard Classification for Rubber Compounding Materials:
Determination of Particle Size Distribution of Recycled Vulcanizate Particular
Rubber
This standard was developed to establish the acceptable range of sizes in any
size of ground rubber (10 mesh, 20 mesh, 30 mesh, etc.)

6. ASTM Standard on Tire Derived Fuel
D6700-13: Standard Practice for Use of Scrap Tire-Derived Fuel
Developed in 1996
Written at a time when TDF was becoming more refined: effort was
to get rid of the term “Nominal” which was widely used but not a
well defined term
Last updated in 2012
Written by Michael Blumenthal, Mark Hope & Terry Gray

7. D6700-13
Definitions
Fuel analysis
Sampling
Testing procedures
Particle sizing
In 2016 the Standard should be updated to define smaller sized TDF

8. ASTM Standard for Asphalt Rubber
Asphalt-Rubber as defined by ASTM D4, ASTM D6114
Asphalt-Rubber is a blend of asphalt cement, reclaimed tire rubber
and certain additives, in which the rubber component is at least 15%
by weight of the total blend and has reacted in the hot asphalt
cement sufficiently to cause swelling of the rubber particles
This is known as hot mix, Arizona mix or the McDonald Process
Standard was developed between 1988 – 1996: will likely be
updated at December 2014 subcommittee meeting

9. D5644-01
Terminology
Testing procedures
Particle distribution
This standard cannot be changed to include other asphalt
technologies which include ground tire rubber (warm mix, terminal
blend). Warm mix will be performance graded (which AR is not) and
terminal blending remains patented, which disallows it from having
an ASTM standard

10. ASTM Standard: Tire Derived Aggregate
D6270-13: Standard Practice for Use of Scrap Tires in Civil Engineering
Applications
Developed in 1996
Written, in part, as a result of the 2 internal heating episodes in Washington.
Includes the guidelines for preventing hot spots. Since this document was
written there have not been any other internal heating episodes
Written by Dr. Dana Humphrey & Michael Blumenthal
Updated in 2013

11. ASTM Standard: Tire-Derived Aggregate
Definitions
Particle size
Material characteristics
Construction practices
Leachate
Material properties
MSDS

12. ASTM Std: Loose Fill Playground Rubber
F3012 - Standard Specification for Loose-Fill Rubber for Use as a Playground
Safety Surface under and around Playground Equipment: ASTM Volume 15.07
Developed by Committee F08.63 and finalized in 2013, supported by efforts of
ISRI & RMA
Developed as a response to market challenges (competing materials have ASTM
specs) and concerns about human/environmental health concerns
The ASTM standard hasn’t reduced concerns by some of the public but does
address industrial concerns

13. ASTM Std: Loose Fill Playground Rubber
Terminology
Performance requirements
Sampling
Testing
Size requirements
Metal & fluff content
There are many non-ASTM reports on human/health issues

14. ASTM Standard for Infill Rubber
Being developed in the F08.65 subcommittee
Currently has a ballot out for impact test which proposes lowering
HIC & Gmax thresholds
Discussions ongoing for new test method to measure infill depths
Last meeting: May 2014
Benefit of an ASTM standard is to assist industry in standardizing
material, have a bench-mark for comparison and compete against
other infill materials

15. ASTM Standard for Rubber Infill
Terminology
Performance requirements
Sampling
Testing
Size requirements
Metal & fluff content

16. Conclusions
The development of the ASTM standards for tire-derived removed an obstacle impeding the
growth of markets and provides acceptable bench-marks
ASTM standards gave legitimacy to the industry
The ASTM standards place tire-derived materials on an equal level with competing materials
The sale of ground rubber remains predominately an agreement between buyer & seller; ASTM
standards provide a base line reference
There remains the use of terms within the industry that are accepted and understood, but not
consistent with the ASTM definitions: this still causes some confusion to outsiders
Overall, the ASTM process has been a positive factor to our industry which should continue to
be supported

17. CEN: The European Process
The European Union has developed a series of “standards” for tire-derived
materials, referred to as CEN
CEN TS14243 characterizes the different materials derived from end of life tires
in terms of dimensions (ELT cuts, shreds, chips, granulates and powders) and
impurities (steel & textile) using (EU) harmonized methods of sampling and
testing
Work is on-going in CEN TC366 to validate CEN TS14243 into an EU standard and
to develop standards related to certain physical, composition characteristics of
the materials produced from ELTs as well as to determine general properties of
whole tires as required for further processing

18. ASTM Standards vs. CEN Standards
Two sets of standards on the same material (tires) which are similar but have
clear distinctions
ASTM standards do not present information on the chemical or physical
properties of tires; This information is not typically included in ASTM resources
and is available through other sources
The metrics are different, but are easily converted
The two standards can compliment each other
Coordination of these standards should take place so there aren’t significant
differences which could cause questions or difficulties within the international
tire recycling industry

19. Contact Information
Michael Blumenthal
President
Marshay, Inc.
On the web: scraptireexpert.com
Email: marshayinc@gmail.com
845 642 3130