ASTM F3191-16 PDF Download

In order to assess a substrate surface's porosity in advance of installing resilient flooring materials, ASTM F3191-16 is a standard method that offers instructions. It highlights how crucial it is to determine the substrate's porosity because it has a direct impact on how adhesives, primers, self-leveling underlayments, and other flooring materials are installed. Substratum porosity requirements are mentioned in numerous flooring industry papers and manufacturer instructions to ensure effective installations.

Both porous and absorbent substrates and non-porous and non-absorptive substrates can be used with the conventional procedure. In order to identify whether a substrate is porous or not, it describes qualitative assessment techniques. This information is then used to determine the proper surface preparation needs in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The published manufacturer's material regarding substrate water absorption and its effects on installation requirements should not be replaced; it is crucial to remember.

The practice's results may point to the necessity for extra surface preparation, such as priming for substrates that absorb immediately, have dusty or chalky surfaces, or absorb to various degrees. In contrast, substrates that exhibit no absorption might be contaminated, which would require performing bond tests in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The size, form, and color of the water droplets employed in the test might also point to unique situations that might call for a conversation with the company that makes the flooring material to be placed.

It should be emphasized that the circumstances of the substrate under examination could alter with time, especially in the case of substances like concrete that get denser and less porous as they get stronger. As a result, the test's results only accurately reflect the substrate's state at the time and place of the test. The standard practice acknowledges that, even though it primarily focuses on resilient flooring materials, other materials like carpet tiles, wood flooring, coatings, films, paints, self-leveling and trowel-grade underlayments, and primers can also benefit from the procedures described for determining how much water they absorb.