Designation: C 1325 – 04

Standard Specification for

Non-Asbestos Fiber-Mat Reinforced Cement Substrate
Sheets1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1325; 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.

1. Scope C 947 Test Method for Flexural Properties of Thin-Section

1.1 This specification covers non-asbestos fiber-mat rein- Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (Using Simple Beam
forced cement substrate sheets manufactured to be dimension- with Third-Point Loading)2
ally stable and suitable as either an unfinished substrate (see C 1154 Terminology for Non-Asbestos Fiber-Reinforced
Note 1) or as a substrate for decoration such as natural stone or Cement Products
tile on walls, floors, or decks in wet and dry areas. C 1178 Specification for Glass Mat Water-Resistant Gyp-
sum Backing Panel
NOTE 1—When used as an unfinished substrate, consult the manufac- C 1185 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Non-
turer’s written installation literature for proper application details.
Asbestos Fiber-Cement Flat Sheet, Roofing and Siding
1.2 This specification is not applicable to asbestos-cement Shingles, and Clapboards
flat sheets (Specification C 220); non-asbestos fiber cement flat C 1186 Specification for Flat Non-Asbestos Fiber-Cement
sheets for exterior applications such as claddings, facades, Sheets
curtain walls, and soffits (Specification C 1186); gypsum back- C 1288 Specification for Discrete Non-Asbestos Fiber-
ing board, coreboard, and shaftliner (Specification C 442); Cement Interior Substrate Sheets
water-resistant gypsum backing board (Specification C 630); D 1037 Methods for Evaluating the Properties of Wood-
glass mat gypsum backing board (Specification C 1178); par- Base Fiber and Particle Panel Materials
ticle boards (Definitions D 1554); and discrete non-asbestos D 1554 Definitions of Terms Relating to Wood-Base Fiber
fiber cement interior substrate sheets (Specification C 1288). and Particle Panel Materials
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded D 2394 Method for Simulated Service Testing of Wood and
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathemati- Wood-Base Finish Flooring
cal conversions to SI units which are provided for information E 84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
only and are not considered standard. Building Materials
G 21 Practice for Determining Resistance of Synthetic
2. Referenced Documents
Polymeric Materials to Fungi
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 G 22 Practice for Determining Resistance of Plastics to
C 220 Specification for Flat Asbestos-Cement Sheets Bacteria
C 442 Specification for Gypsum Backing Board, Core- 2.2 ANSI Standards:3
board, and Shaftliner Board A118.1 Specification for Dry-Set Portland Cement Mortar
C 473 Test Methods for Physical Testing of Gypsum Panel A118.4 Specification for Latex-Portland Cement Mortar
Products A136.1 Standard for Organic Adhesives for Installation of
C 630 Specification for Water-Resistant Gypsum Backing Ceramic Tile
Board
C 666 Test Method for Resistance of Concrete to Rapid 3. Terminology
Freezing and Thawing 3.1 Definitions: Refer to Terminology C 1154.
4. Classification
1 4.1 Flat sheets covered by this specification are divided into
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C17 on
Fiber-Reinforced Cement Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee two types, according to their intended application.
C17.01 on Test Methods. 4.1.1 Type A—Sheets are intended for exterior applications
Current edition approved March 1, 2004. Published April 2004. Originally as a substrate for other cladding materials, or as an unfinished
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as C 1325–99.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
the ASTM website. Floor, New York, NY 10036.

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 C 1325 – 04
substrate for decoration such as natural stone, tile, or coatings. where:
Type A products are also suitable for interior use. E = modulus of elasticity, psi (MPa),
4.1.2 Type B—Sheets are intended for covered exterior P2 and P1 = loads, lb (N), taken from two points within the
applications such as soffit areas, or for interior dry or wet area linear section of the plot,
applications as a desired unfinished substrate or an unfinished y2 and y1 = deflections, in. (mm) corresponding to the
substrate for decoration such as natural stone or tile, where loads selected,
substrate dimensional stability is required. b = width of specimen, in. (mm),
d = thickness of specimen, in. (mm), and
NOTE 2—Flat sheets may be supplied coated or uncoated. L = span, in. (mm).
5. Composition and Manufacture 7. Dimensions and Tolerances
5.1 Composition—This specification is applicable to 7.1 Method of Measurement—The method of measurement
fiber-mat reinforced non-asbestos cement substrate sheets con- shall be in accordance with Test Methods C 473.
sisting essentially of an inorganic hydraulic binder or a calcium 7.2 Nominal Length and Width—Fiber-mat reinforced sub-
silicate binder formed by the chemical reaction of a siliceous strate sheets are typically supplied in nominal lengths of 48 in.
material and a calcareous material, reinforced by fiber-mat (1219 mm), 60 in. (1524 mm), 72 in. (1828 mm), 84 in. (2134
made of organic fibers, inorganic non-asbestos fibers, or both. mm), 96 in. (2438 mm) and nominal widths of 48 in. (1219
NOTE 3—Process aids, fillers, pigments, and other fibers that are mm), 36 in. (914 mm), and 32 in. (811 mm).
compatible with the fiber-mat cement may be added. 7.3 Nominal Thickness—Fiber-mat reinforced substrate
sheets are normally available in thicknesses of 1⁄4 in. (6 mm) to
5.2 Manufacture—These products are formed either with or 5⁄8 in. (16 mm), although thicknesses outside of this range are
without pressure and cured, either under natural or accelerated not prohibited from being supplied.
conditions, to meet the property requirements of this specifi- 7.4 Length and Width Tolerance—The tolerance from the
cation. nominal value shall be 61⁄8 in. (3 mm).
7.5 Thickness Tolerance—The maximum difference be-
6. Mechanical and Physical Properties tween extreme values of the thickness measurement within a
6.1 Mechanical and physical properties shall be determined sheet shall not exceed 0.03 in. (0.8 mm). Thickness variation
on an uncoated product wherever practical. Where the products from sheet to sheet shall not exceed 0.03 in. (0.8 mm).
are supplied coated, this material shall also be tested with the 7.6 Squareness Tolerance—The length of the diagonals
results identified as applying to coated material. shall not vary by more than 1⁄32 in./ft (2.6 mm/m) of the length
6.2 Sampling—Obtain 5 samples of the particular cement of the sheets. Opposite sides of the sheet shall not vary in
substrate sheet to be tested from a commercial lot of not less length by more than 1⁄32 in./ft (2.6 mm/m).
than 50 000 ft2 to conduct the tests described in this specifi- 7.7 Edge Straightness Tolerance—The sheet edges shall be
cation. straight within 1⁄32 in./ft (2.6 mm/m) of length or width.
6.3 Mechanical Properties:
6.3.1 Flexural Strength—When tested in accordance with 8. Workmanship
Test Method C 947, flexural strength shall be not less than 750 8.1 Workmanship— Sheets shall be free of defects that will
psi (5170 kPa). impair erection, use, or serviceability.
6.3.2 Sheets shall be tested and specified in both the wet and
equilibrium conditions and shall meet the minimum wet and 9. Inspection and Acceptance
minimum equilibrium flexural strength requirements. 9.1 Inspection of material, if required, shall be at the point
of shipment. The inspector representing the purchaser shall
NOTE 4—When sampled from continuous production, these tests may
be conducted on dry, equilibrium, or saturated specimens, provided a have authorized access to the carriers being loaded for ship-
relationship can be established between this testing and the specified ment to the purchaser. The purchaser shall be afforded all
values. reasonable and available facilities at the point of shipment for
sampling and inspection of the material, which shall be
6.4 Physical Properties:
conducted so as not to interfere unnecessarily with the loading
6.4.1 Density—Nominal values and tolerances for density
of the carriers.
shall be stated by the manufacturer for each of the products.
9.2 Third party certification, either continuous or at regular
When tested in accordance with the test method specified in
intervals, shall be recognized as an alternative to lot inspection.
Test Methods C 1185, the value for the density shall comply
9.3 Failure to conform to any one of the requirements of this
with the value stated by the manufacturer.
specification shall constitute grounds for nonacceptance.
6.4.2 Modulus of Elasticity—Values for the modulus of
elasticity shall be stated by the manufacturer for each of the 10. Product Marking
products. When tested in accordance with Test Method C 947, 10.1 Identification—Product marking shall include trade-
the value for modulus of elasticity shall comply with the value mark, type of product (A or B), or other means of identification
stated by the manufacturer. Calculate the modulus of elasticity that ensures that the manufacturer and product type can be
for each sample specimen by the following equation: identified. The method of marking shall be stated in the
E 5 5~P 2 2 P1! 3 L 3/27bd 3~y2 2 y 1! (1) manufacturer’s catalog.

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 C 1325 – 04
11. Packaging and Storage inspection; interior wet area application; length and width
11.1 Commercial Packaging—Flat sheets shall be packaged tolerance; mechanical properties; minimum equilibrium
so as to prevent damage during shipment. strength; minimum wet strength; moisture content; moisture
11.2 Storage—Flat sheets shall be stacked on supports that movement; nominal length; nominal thickness; nominal width;
will keep the sheets level and flat. The sheets shall be stacked non-asbestos fiber-mat; packaging; physical properties; pres-
with the edges square and flush and covered to provide sure cured; sampling; shipping; squareness tolerance; storage;
protection from the weather until used. supplementary requirements; supplementary tests; surface
burning characteristics; thickness requirements; thickness tol-
12. Keywords erance; third party certification; tolerance; type tests; warm
12.1 acceptance; air cured; appearance; density; edge water resistance; workmanship
straightness; finish; flexural strength; glass mat cement sheet;

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

S1. Supplementary Tests S1.3.4 Surface Burning Characteristics—When utilized as

S1.1 Supplementary tests for fiber-mat reinforced substrate a finished substrate without decoration, fiber-mat reinforced
sheets shall consist of once only supplementary test, with the cement substrate sheets shall have a reported flame spread
manufacturer’s statement of results provided upon customer’s index of 10 or less and a smoke developed index of not more
request. Fundamental changes in formulation or methods of than 5 when tested in accordance with Test Method E 84. Tests
manufacture, or both, shall require the subsequent retesting of shall be conducted on samples that have been cured for 28 days
the supplementary tests. in a controlled atmosphere of 73 6 4°F (23 6 2°C) and 50 6
5 % relative humidity.
S1.2 Supplementary tests shall be determined on uncoated
product wherever practical. Where fiber-mat reinforced sub- S1.3.5 Shear Bond Strength (Dry-Set Portland Cement
strate sheets are supplied coated, this material shall also be Mortar)—Fiber-mat reinforced cement substrate sheets tested
tested with the results identified as applying to coated material. in accordance with ANSI A118.1 fiber-mat reinforced cement
substrate sheet to fiber-mat reinforced cement substrate sheet)
S1.3 The following supplementary tests shall be required: shall demonstrate a minimum shear bond strength at 7 day
Moisture Content
Moisture Movement
curing of 50 psi (345 kPa).
Warm Water Resistance S1.3.6 Shear Bond Strength (Latex-Portland Cement
Surface Burning Characteristics
Shear Bond Strength (Dry-Set Portland Cement Mortar)
Mortar)—Fiber-mat reinforced cement substrate sheets tested
Shear Bond Strength (Latex-Portland Cement Mortar) in accordance with ANSI A118.4 (fiber-mat reinforced cement
Shear Bond Strength (Organic Adhesive Type 1) substrate sheet to fiber-mat reinforced cement substrate sheet)
Nail-Head Pull-Through (roofing nail)
Modulus of Elasticity
shall demonstrate a minimum shear bond strength at 7 day
Mold Resistance curing of 50 psi (345 kPa).
Compression Indentation
Falling Ball Impact
S1.3.7 Shear Bond Strength (Organic Adhesives Type
Bacteria Resistance 1)—Fiber-mat reinforced cement substrate sheets tested in
Freeze Thaw Resistance accordance with ANSI A136.1 (fiber-mat reinforced cement
S1.3.1 Moisture Content—State the percentage of moisture substrate sheet to fiber-mat reinforced cement substrate sheet)
content of the fiber-mat reinforced cement substrate sheets shall demonstrate a minimum shear bond strength at 7 day
when conditioned at 50 6 5 % relative humidity and a curing of 50 psi (345 kPa).
temperature of 73 6 4°F (23 6 2°C) in accordance with Test S1.3.8 Nail-Head Pull Through—Fiber-mat reinforced ce-
Method C 1185. ment substrate sheets of 1⁄2 in. (13 mm) thickness shall have a
S1.3.2 Moisture Movement—The linear variation with minimum saturated nail-head pull through resistance of 125 lb
change in moisture content shall be stated as the percentage (560 N), when tested in accordance with Test Method D 1037
change in length based on a relative humidity change from 30 utilizing a roofing nail with a 0.375 in. (10 mm) diameter head
% to 90 % in accordance with Test Method D 1037. The linear and a shank diameter of 0.121 in. (3 mm).
variation with change shall be less than or equal to 0.07 %. For S1.3.9 Mold Resistance—When tested in accordance with
the purpose of this test, obtain 5 samples of the particular Practice G 21, samples shall show an observed growth rating of
cement substrate sheet to be tested from a commercial lot of 0.
not less than 50 000 ft2 . S1.3.10 Compression Indentation—When tested in accor-
S1.3.3 Warm Water Resistance—The specimens, when dance with Test Method D 2394, samples shall show a value
tested in accordance with Test Method C 1185, shall not show greater than 1250 psi (8620 kPa) at less than 0.05 in. (1.3 mm).
visible cracks or structural alteration such as to affect their S1.3.11 Falling Ball Impact—When tested in accordance
performance in use. The ratio of the average strengths as with Test Method D 1037, samples shall show no damage to
calculated from test results shall not be less than 70 %. top or bottom surfaces at a 12 in. (305 mm) drop.

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 C 1325 – 04
S1.3.12 Bacteria Resistance—When tested in accordance show no disintegration at 50 cycles for Type A and 25 cycles
with Practice G 22, samples shall show an observed growth for Type B.
rating of 0.
S1.3.13 Freeze Thaw Resistance—When tested in accor-
dance with Test Method C 666 (Procedure B) samples shall

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