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changes have been made to the previous version. Because

it may not be technically possible to adequetely depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.

Designation: C 475/C 475M – 012

Standard Specification for

Joint Compound and Joint Tape for Finishing Gypsum
Board 1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 475/C 475M; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

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This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C11 on Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee C11.02 on Specifications and Test Methods for Accessories and Related Products.
Current edition approved Aug. Dec. 10, 20012. Published August 2001. February 2003. Originally published as C 475 – 61 T. approved in 1961. Last previous edition
approved in 2001 as C 475 – 9401.

1. Scope *
1.1 This specification covers all-purpose, taping and finishing joint compounds, and paper joint tape and glass-mesh joint tape.
1.1.1 The joint materials used in this standard are designed to be used with gypsum board installed in accordance with
Specification C 840.
1.2 This specification also covers the minimum requirements for an assembly of taping and all-purpose compound and joint
tape.
1.3 The text of this specification references notes and footnotes which that provide explanatory material. These notes and
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the specification.
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI (metric) units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI
units are shown in parentheses. The values stated in each system shall be used independent of the other. Values from the two
systems shall not be combined.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C 11 Terminology Relating to Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems2
C 474 Test Methods for Joint Treatment Materials for Gypsum Board Construction2
C 840 Specification for Application and Finishing of Gypsum Board2
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles3
D 3882 Test Method for Bow and Skew in Woven and Knitted Fabrics4
F 1615 Specification for Cautionary Labeling for Five-Gallon Open-Head Plastic Containers5
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions shall be in accordance with Terminology C 11.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 glass-mesh joint-tape, n—a strip of multidirectional glass yarn material designed to reinforce the joint between two
gypsum boards.
3.2.2 joint tape, n—a strip of material used to conceal and reinforce the joint between two gypsum boards.
3.2.3 joint tape, self-adhering, n—a joint tape manufactured to adhere directly to the substrate.
3.2.3.1 Discussion—Tapes having this quality do not require mechanical or embedment means of attachment to the substrate.
3.2.4 paper joint tape, n—a strip of paper reinforcing material designed to be embedded in the joint compound and to reinforce
the joint between two gypsum boards.
3.2.5 skewness, n—as defined in Terminology D 123.

2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01.
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.02.
5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.07.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 C 475/C 475M – 012
4. Physical Properties
4.1 General—The physical properties shall be determined in accordance with Test Methods C 474, except as noted.
4.2 Joint Compounds.
4.2.1 Check Cracking—No cracks in the thinner half of the wedge and no deep fissure cracks in the thicker half of the wedge.
4.2.2 Putrefaction—No putrefaction in less than 4 days.
4.2.3 Shrinkage—Not more than 35 % by volume.
4.3 Joint Tape—The following tests are required of all joint tape:
4.3.1 Width—Shall be not less than 17⁄8 in. (47.6 (48 mm) nor more than 21⁄4 in. (57.2 (60 mm). The width of an individual roll
shall vary not more than 61⁄32 in. (0.8 (1 mm).
4.3.2 Thickness—Shall be not more than 0.012 in. (0.30 mm).
4.3.3 Tensile Strength—Shall be not less than 30 lbf/in. (5.245 N/mm) in the cross direction.
4.34 The following tests are required of paper joint tape:
4.4.1 Dimensional Stability—Shall expand not more than 0.4 % lengthwise and not more than 2.5 % crosswise.
4.4.2 Assembly of Taping or All-Purpose Compound and Joint Tape:
4.4.2.1 Bond between the joint tape and the joint compound shall be not less than 90 %.
4.4.2.2 Edge Cracking shall be not more than 10 % along the edges of the tape specimen.
4.5 The following test is required of glass-mesh joint tape:
4.5.1 Skewness, when tested in accordance with Test Method D 3882, shall be not more than 8.75 %.
5. Sampling
5.1 Sampling of Joint Compound—At least 1 %, but not less than one package or container shall be sampled and shall be so
selected as to be representative of the shipment. The material so obtained shall be thoroughly blended and divided. Provide not
less than one 6-lb (2.725-kg) sample for the test.
5.2 Sampling of Joint Tape—At least one roll for every ten cases or a fraction thereof, but not more than ten rolls per shipment
shall constitute a sample.
6. Inspection
6.1 Inspection of the joint compound and joint tape shall be agreed upon between the purchaser and the supplier as part of the
purchase agreement.
7. Rejection
7.1 Rejection of joint compound and joint tape that fails to conform to requirements of this specification shall be reported to
the producer or supplier promptly and in writing. The notice of rejection shall contain a statement documenting how the joint
compound or joint tape has failed to conform to the requirements of this specification.
8. Certification
8.1 When specified in the purchase agreement, a producer’s or supplier’s report shall be furnished at the time of shipment
certifying that the product is in compliance with this specification.
9. Packaging and Package Marking
9.1 Joint compound and joint tape shall be marked on each item or package with the name, brand or trademark of the
manufacturer or seller, size, and volume or net weight of contents.
9.2 Joint compound packaged in 3-1⁄2 through 6-1⁄2 gal (U.S. liquid) (13 through 25 L) straight-sided, open-head pails not less
than 10 in. (250 mm) nor more than 19 in. (480 mm) in overall height and having a full diameter unrestricted opening at the top,
shall be labeled with a cautionary label meeting the requirements of 9.2.1-9.2.5.
9.2.1 The cautionary label shall be placed on the side of the container between the upper rim and the container base.
9.2.2 The cautionary label shall be not less than 10 in.2(65 000 mm2) in accoredance with no single dimension less than 13⁄4
in. (45 mm) and with a perimeter of not less than 123⁄4in. (325 mm).
9.2.2.1 Alternatively, two cautionary labels shall be permitted to be used. Each of the two labels shall be not less than 6 in.2
(40 000 mm) in area with no single dimension less than 13⁄4 in. (45 mm) and with a perimeter of not less than 9 in. (225 mm).
At least one of the labels shall be in English and the letter sizes of both labels shall conform to 9.2.4.1 and 9.2.4.3.
9.2.3 The cautionary label shall have a border or another form of contrast which delineates it from any other information on
the container.
9.2.4 The cautionary label shall be in a noticeable layout and shall contain a signal word panel, a pictorial and a message as
specified in 9.2.4.1-9.2.4.3 and shall be printed in colors that contrast with the background of the label.
9.2.4.1 The signal word panel shall contain the word“ WARNING” in upper case letters, preceded by a safety alert symbol
consisting of an exclamation mark inside an equilateral triangle with the apex of the triangle oriented upward. The word
“WARNING” shall be on one line and shall be in letters not less than 5⁄16 in. (7.9 mm) high. Where two cautionary labels are used
they shall conform to 9.2.2.1 and the word “WARNING” shall be in letters not less than 1⁄4 in. (6.4 mm) high.

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9.2.4.2 The pictorial shall depict a child looking or falling into a bucket. The pictorial shall have an overall height of not less
than 11⁄2 in. (38 mm). Additional cautionary symbols shall be allowed.
9.2.4.3 The message shall contain the words “Children can fall into bucket and drown” followed by the words “Keep children
away from bucket with even a small amount of liquid”; additional cautionary statements shall be allowed. The lettering of the
cautionary message shall be in sans serif letters in combinations of upper and lower case letters. The upper case letters shall be
not less than 1⁄8 in. (3.2 mm) high. Where two cautionary labels are used they shall conform to 9.2.2.1 and the upper case letters
shall be not less than 5⁄64 in. (2 mm) high.
9.2.5 The label shall be not easily removed, other than by the use of tools or solvents. If removable labels are used for container
recycling purposes, the label shall bear the words “DO NOT REMOVE THIS LABEL.” Specification F 1615.
10. Keywords
10.1 all-purpose compound; bond; check cracking; dimensional stability; edge cracking; finishing compound; glass-mesh joint
tape; joint compound; joint tape; paper joint tape; putrefaction; shrinkage; taping compound; tensile strength; topping compound

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C11 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (C 475 – 01)
that may impact the use of this standard.

(1) This standard has been revised to incorporate glass-mesh joint tape into the list of products covered by this standard.
(2) The cautionary labeling requirement in this standard has been deleted and replaced with the standard approved by Committee
F15.
(3) The SI references have been rationalized to make this a dual specification.
(4) Specific changes have been made to Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, and 10.

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