This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D5603 − 19a

Standard Classification for

Rubber Compounding Materials—Recycled Vulcanizate
Rubber1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5603; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope E1131 Test Method for Compositional Analysis by Thermo-

1.1 This classification covers the compounding material
commercially known as recycled vulcanizate particulate rub-
ber. Recycled vulcanizate particulate rubber is the product that
results when vulcanizate rubber has been processed by some
means to obtain a desired particle size distribution.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
D297 Test Methods for Rubber Products—Chemical Analy-
sis
D1509 Test Methods for Carbon Black—Heating Loss
D1566 Terminology Relating to Rubber
D5644 Test Method for Rubber Compounding Materials—
Determination of Particle Size Distribution of Recycled
Vulcanizate Particulate Rubber
D8268 Practice for Rubber Compounding Materials—
Evaluation of Recycled Vulcanizate Particulate Rubber
1
This classification is under the jurisdiction of Committee D11 on Rubber and
Rubber-like Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D11.20 on
Compounding Materials and Procedures.
Current edition approved July 1, 2019. Published July 2019. Originally approved
in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as D5603 – 19. DOI: 10.1520/
D5603-19A.
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
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
gravimetry
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 recycled vulcanizate particulate rubber, n—recyclable
vulcanizate rubber that has been processed to give particulates
or other forms of different shapes, sizes, and size distributions.
3.1.2 particulate rubber, n—rubber, vulcanized or
unvulcanized, that has been transformed into a collection of
particles, with or without a coating of a partitioning agent to
prevent agglomeration during production, transportation, or
storage (see buffing rubber, granulated rubber, ground rubber,
and powdered rubber). D1566
3.1.3 granulated rubber, n—particulate rubber composed of
mainly non-spherical particles that span a broad range of
maximum “particle dimension” from below 425 µm (40 mesh)
to 12 mm (0.47 in.); the key feature of this type of particulate
rubber is the fraction of the material in the greater than 1-mm
(0.08-in.) up to 12-mm (0.47-in.) maximum “particle dimen-
sion” range. D1566
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Recycled vulcanizate particulate rubber is important in
rubber compounding. It allows the rubber compounder to add
a certain percentage of rubber filler back into its parent or
similar compounds or to use the material as substitute or stand
alone compound. Its use may lower compound costs or
improve performance characteristics, or both.
4.2 Many types of recycled vulcanizate particulate rubber
are available, with the number of types of vulcanizate particu-
late rubber limited only by the number of parent compounds.
4.3 Recycled vulcanizate particulate rubber is used as feed-
stock for thermal decomposition, devulcanization, recovered
carbon black, tire-derived aggregate, synthetic turf infill,
asphalt-rubber, molded rubber products, tire-derived fuel, and
other tire and non-tire derived products and end uses.
4.4 Use of recycled rubber has a positive environmental
impact.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Wed Oct 16 18:17:06 EDT 2019
1
Downloaded/printed by
Universidad Nacional De Colombia (Universidad Nacional De Colombia) pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.
 D5603 − 19a
5. Classification of Recycled Vulcanizate Particulate
Rubber
5.1 The classification of recycled vulcanizate particulate
rubber is based on two major characteristics: the classification
of the source of rubber (Table 1) and the particle size
distribution of the particulate rubber (Table 2).
5.2 Particle size distribution is further identified by the
range of sizes of particulate material starting with a maximum
designated size.
5.2.1 In industry practice, granulated rubbers typically
range in particle sizes from 2.0 mm (10 mesh) to 425 µm (40
mesh) regardless of polymer type present in the recycled
vulcanizate rubber or the method of processing (Table 2).
5.2.2 Fine rubber powders are products with designations
smaller (finer) than 1.0 mm (18 mesh). These materials
typically range in particle sizes from less than 600 µm (30
mesh) to less than 75 µm (200 mesh) regardless of polymer
type present in the recycled vulcanizate or the method of
processing (Table 2B).
5.3 Classification by Source of Rubber:
5.3.1 Table 1 captures the significant classifications and
category descriptions of tire and non-tire rubber. The eight
classifications are represented by category descriptions that
include highway and non-highway tires; passenger car tires,
light truck, truck, bus, agriculture, off-the-road (OTR) tires; tire
tread, shoulders and sidewalls; and non-tire rubber. Recycled
tire-derived material (TDM) and non-TDM feedstock are
derived through a variety of processes using an array of
equipment that can handle the various types of tire and non-tire
rubber classifications. Some equipment processors may handle
only truck tires, passenger tires, OTR tires or tread or any
combination of category descriptions in Table 1. The demand
for specific feedstock sources of tire and non-tire rubber and
specific sizes are determined by the type of equipment and use
as a feedstock in the manufacture of vulcanized and devulca-
nized products or end uses, or both. The classification and
polymer type are to be agreed on by the customer, rubber
feedstock supplier, manufacturer, or compounder, or a combi-
nation thereof.
5.4 Classification by Particle Size:
5.4.1 Table 2 is designed to assist in the classification of
particulate rubber that has been reduced in size to a limited
maximum size. Table 2 is divided into two sections: (1)Table
2A represents recycled rubber material designation coarse sizes
to a minimum particle size of 1 mm and (2)Table 2B is for
material smaller than 1 mm.

TABLE 1 Classification by Source of Rubber

Classification Source of Rubber Pass- Light Truck Bus Agri- Off-the- Non-
enger Truck Tires Tires culture Road Tire
Car Tires Tires Tires Rubber
Tires
Classification 1 Whole tire recycled vulcanizate particulate rubber is prepared
from all highway tires:
1A Passenger car, light truck, truck, bus, agriculture, Off-the Road X X X X X X
(OTR) tires;
1B Truck, bus, and agriculture tires. X X X
Classification 2 Whole tire recycled vulcanizate particulate rubber is prepared
from all highway tires:
2A Passenger car, light truck, truck and bus tires; X X X X
2B Passenger car, light truck and truck tires; X X X
2C Passenger car and light truck tires; X X
2D Truck tires and bus tires; X X
2E Truck tires; X
2F Bus tires. X
Classification 3 Whole tire recycled vulcanizate particulate rubber is prepared
from non-highway tires:
3A Agriculture tires and OTR tires; X X
3B Agriculture tires; X
3C Agriculture and OTR tires; X X
3D OTR tires. X
Classification 4 Tread only recycled vulcanizate particulate from all highway
tires:
4A Passenger car, light truck, truck and bus tires. X X X X
Classification 5 Tread only recycled vulcanizate particulate from non-highway
tires:
5A OTR tires. X
Classification 6 Tread and shoulder recycled vulcanizate particulate rubber
from the retread process to produce buffings from highway
tires:
6A Passenger, light truck, truck and bus tires; X X X X
6B Truck and bus tires. X X
Classification 7 Tread, shoulder and sidewall recycled vulcanizate particulate
rubber from the retread process to produce buffings from
highway tires:
7A Passenger, light truck, truck and bus tires; X X X X
7B Truck and bus tires. X X
Classification 8 Non-tire recycled vulcanizate particulate rubber from non-tire
rubber products
8A Non-tire rubber. X

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Wed Oct 16 18:17:06 EDT 2019
2
Downloaded/printed by
Universidad Nacional De Colombia (Universidad Nacional De Colombia) pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.
 D5603 − 19a
TABLE 2 A Recycled Rubber Product Designation Coarse Sizes
Nominal Product Designation Maximum
Percent
Reference Zero Screen, Size Percent
ASTM Standard US Reference Retained
Tyler mm Designation Retained on
DesignationA Size Sieve Decimal on Zero
Mesh (US Mesh) mm (screen) Designation
Millimeter Size inch Screen
Size Screen
Class 5.0i - X 125 5 in. – 5.00 – 0 125.0 (5 in.) 5
Class 4.2i - X 106 4.24 in. – 4.24 125.0 (5 in.) 0 106.0 (4.24 in.) 5
Class 4.0i - X 100 4 in. – 4.00 125.0 (5 in.) 0 100.0 (4 in.) 5
Class 3.5i - X 90 3 1⁄2 in. – 3.50 125.0 (5 in.) 0 90.0 (3 1⁄2 in.) 5
Class 3.0i - X 75 3 in. – 3.00 106 (4.24 in.) 0 75.0 (3 in.) 5
Class 2.5i - X 63 2 1⁄2 in. – 2.50 100.0 (4 in.) 0 63.0 (2 1⁄2 in.) 5
Class 2.1i - X 53 2.12 in. – 2.12 90.0 (3 1⁄2 in.) 0 53.0 (2.12 in.) 5
Class 2.0i - X 50 2 in. – 2.00 75.0 (3 in.) 0 50.0 (2 in.) 5
Class 1.8i - X 45 1 3⁄4 in. – 1.75 63.0 (2 1⁄2 in.) 0 45.0 (1 3⁄4 in.) 5
Class 1.5i - X 37.5 1 1⁄2 in. – 1.50 53.0 (2.12 in.) 0 37.5 (1 1⁄2 in.) 5
Class 1.3i - X 31.5 1 1⁄4 in. – 1.25 50.0 (2 in.) 0 31.5 (1 1⁄4 in.) 5
Class 1.1i - X 26.5 1.06 in. – 1.06 45.0 (1 3⁄4 in.) 0 26.5 (1.06 in.) 5
Class 1.0i - X 25.0 1 in. – 1.000 37.5 (1 1⁄2 in.) 0 25.0 (1 in.) 5
Class 0.88i - X 22.4 7⁄8 in. – 0.875 31.5 (1 1⁄4 in.) 0 22.4 (7⁄8 in.) 5
Class 0.75i - X 19.0 3⁄4 in. – 0.750 26.5 (1.06 in.) 0 19.0 (3⁄4 in.) 5
Class 0.63i - X 16.0 5⁄8 in. – 0.625 25.0 (1 in.) 0 16.0 (5⁄8 in.) 5
Class 0.53i - X 13.2 0.53 in. – 0.530 22.4 (7⁄8 in.) 0 13.2 (0.53 in.) 5
Class 0.50i - X 12.5 1⁄2 in. – 0.500 19.0 (3⁄4 in.) 0 12.5 (1⁄2 in.) 5
Class 0.44i - X 11.2 7⁄16 in. 0.44 in. 0.438 16.0 (5⁄8 in.) 0 11.2 (7⁄16 in.) 5
Class 0.38i - X 9.5 3⁄8 in. 0.37 in. 0.375 13.2 (0.53 in.) 0 9.5 (3⁄8 in.) 5
Class 0.31i - X 8.0 5⁄16 in. 2 1⁄2 Mesh 0.312 12.5 (1⁄2 in.) 0 8.0 (5⁄16 in.) 5
Class 0.27i - X 6.7 0.265 in. 3 Mesh 0.265 11.2 (7⁄16 in.) 0 6.7 (0.265 in.) 5
Class 0.25i - X 6.3 1⁄4 in. – 0.250 9.5 (3⁄8 in.) 0 6.3 (1⁄4 in.) 5
Class 3.5 - X 5.6 3.5 Mesh 3.5 Mesh 0.223 8.0 (5⁄16 in.) 0 5.6 (3.5 Mesh) 5
Class 4 - X 4.8 4 Mesh 4 Mesh 0.187 6.7 (0.265 in.) 0 4.8 (4 Mesh) 5
Class 5 - X 4.0 5 Mesh 5 Mesh 0.157 6.3 (1⁄4 in.) 0 4.0 (5 Mesh) 5
Class 6 - X 3.4 6 Mesh 6 Mesh 0.132 5.6 (3.5 Mesh) 0 3.4 (6 Mesh) 5
Class 7 - X 2.8 7 Mesh 7 Mesh 0.110 4.8 (4 Mesh) 0 2.8 (7 Mesh) 5
Class 8 - X 2.4 8 Mesh 8 Mesh 0.0937 4.0 (5 Mesh) 0 2.4 (8 Mesh) 5
Class 10 - X 2.0 10 Mesh 9 Mesh 0.0787 3.4 (6 Mesh) 0 2.0 (10 Mesh) 5
Class 12 - X 1.7 12 Mesh 10 Mesh 0.0661 2.4 (8 Mesh) 0 1.7 (12 Mesh) 5
Class 14 - X 1.4 14 Mesh 12 Mesh 0.0555 2.0 (10 Mesh) 0 1.4 (14 Mesh) 5
Class 16 - X 1.2 16 Mesh 14 Mesh 0.0469 1.7 (12 Mesh) 1 % max 1.2 (16 Mesh) 5
Class 18 - X 1.0 18 Mesh 16 Mesh 0.0394 1.4 (14 Mesh) 1 % max 1.0 (18 Mesh) 5
A
When specifying materials, replace the X with the proper parent material grade designation code. For example, Class 0.50i-2 would indicate a 12.5 mm (0.5 in.) product
made from Grade 2 material, car, truck, and bus tire rubber. Class 5-6 would indicate a 4 mm (5 mesh) product made from Grade 6 material, non-tire rubber.

TABLE 2 B Recycled Rubber Product Designation Fine Sizes (continued)

Nominal Product Designation Maximum
Percent Size
Percent
ASTM Standard Alternative Reference Reference Zero Screen, µm Retained Designation
Retained on
DesignationA Size US Tyler Mesh Decimal (US Mesh) on Zero µm
Designation
Micrometer Sieve Size Size inches Screen (Screen)
Screen
Class 20 - X 850 20 Mesh 20 Mesh 0.0331 1.2 (16 Mesh) 1 % max 850 (20 Mesh) 10
Class 25 - X 710 25 Mesh 24 Mesh 0.0278 1000 (18 Mesh) 1 % max 710 (25 Mesh) 10
Class 30 - X 600 30 Mesh 28 Mesh 0.0234 850 (20 Mesh) 1 % max 600 (30 Mesh) 10
Class 35 - X 500 35 Mesh 32 Mesh 0.0197 710 (25 Mesh) 1 % max 500 (35 Mesh) 10
Class 40 - X 425 40 Mesh 35 Mesh 0.0165 600 (30 Mesh) 1 % max 425 (40 Mesh) 10
Class 45 - X 355 45 Mesh 42 Mesh 0.0139 500 (35 Mesh) 1 % max 355 (45 Mesh) 10
Class 50 - X 300 50 Mesh 48 Mesh 0.0117 425 (40 Mesh) 1 % max 300 (50 Mesh) 10
Class 60 - X 250 60 Mesh 60 Mesh 0.0098 355 (45 Mesh) 1 % max 250 (60 Mesh) 10
Class 70 - X 212 70 Mesh 65 Mesh 0.0083 300 (50 Mesh) 1 % max 212 (70 Mesh) 10
Class 80 - X 180 80 Mesh 80 Mesh 0.0070 250 (60 Mesh) 1 % max 180 (80 Mesh) 10
Class 100 - X 150 100 Mesh 100 Mesh 0.0059 212 (70 Mesh) 1 % max 150 (100 Mesh) 10
Class 120 - X 125 120 Mesh 115 Mesh 0.0049 180 (80 Mesh) 2 % max 125 (120 Mesh) 15
Class 140 - X 106 140 Mesh 150 Mesh 0.0041 150 (100 Mesh) 2 % max 106 (140 Mesh) 15
Class 170 - X 90 170 Mesh 170 Mesh 0.0035 125 (120 Mesh) 2 % max 90 (170 Mesh) 15
Class 200 - X 75 200 Mesh 200 Mesh 0.0029 106 (140 Mesh) 2 % max 75 (200 Mesh) 15
Class 230 - X 63 230 Mesh 250 Mesh 0.0025 90 (170 Mesh) 3 % max 63 (230 Mesh) 15
Class 270 - X 53 270 Mesh 270 Mesh 0.0021 75 (200 Mesh) 3 % max 53 (270 Mesh) 15
Class 325 - X 45 325 Mesh 325 Mesh 0.0017 63 (230 Mesh) 3 % max 45 (325 Mesh) 15
Class 400 - X 38 400 Mesh 400 Mesh 0.0015 53 (270 Mesh) 3 % max 38 (400 Mesh) 15
Class 450 - X 32 450 Mesh 450 Mesh 0.0012 45 (325 Mesh) 3 % max 32 (450 Mesh) 15
Class 500 - X 25 500 Mesh 500 Mesh 0.0010 38 (400 Mesh) 3 % max 25 (500 Mesh) 15
Class 635 - X 20 635 Mesh 635 Mesh 0.0008 32 (450 Mesh) 3 % max 20 (635 Mesh) 15
A
When specifying materials, replace the X with the proper parent material grade designation code. For example, Class 30-2 would indicate a 600 µm (30 mesh) product
made from Grade 2 material, car, truck, and bus tire rubber. Class 100-6 would indicate a 150 µm (100 mesh) product made from Grade 6 material, non-tire rubber.

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Wed Oct 16 18:17:06 EDT 2019
3
Downloaded/printed by
Universidad Nacional De Colombia (Universidad Nacional De Colombia) pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.
 D5603 − 19a
TABLE 3 Properties for Recycled Rubber (Classification 1 – 8)
Classification Property Percent Test Method
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 Acetone extractable 4–25 D297,B Sections 17, 18, 19
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 Ash, max subject to customer/supplier D297,B Sections 34, 35, 36,
agreementA 37
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 Carbon black 26–38 D297,B Sections 38, 39
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 Loss on heating, max 1 D1509
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 Natural rubber 10–45 D297,B Sections 52, 53
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 Rubber hydrocarbon con- 42 D297,B Section 11
tent (RHC), min
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 Metal content, max 0.03*** D8268
1,2,3,4,5,6 Fiber content, max 0.02
7,8 Fiber content, max 0.01
A
This amount will be variable depending on the inorganic content of the starting rubber (silica, clay, etc.).
B
Test Method E1131 as an alternate.

5.4.2 The size-reduced tire-derived material TDM and non-
TDM particle size designation portion of the classification is
based on Test Method D5644, which is used to determine the
particle size distribution. The material size designation is the
mesh size based on the size designation sieve-screen which
allows a range for the upper limit retained of zero to some
maximum value depending on the nominal mesh size
designation, see Table 2. Each size of material will also
designate a sieve on which zero material is retained. The sieve
(zero screen) in Table 2 shall have a larger nominal opening
than the material size designation screen. Additional sieves can
be specified as agreed upon between the customer, feedstock
supplier, manufacturer, or compounder, or a combination
thereof, to obtain a particular size distribution.
5.4.3 The designation screen is targeted for the maximum
particle size with a zero screen that is larger than the designa-
tion screen to verify there are no large particles in the sample.
There are values specified for the maximum relative amount of
material on both the zero screen and designation screen to
assure the sample meets the target maximum particle size. See
footnotes for Table 2A and Table 2B for examples of how to
report the successful screening of a sample.
5.4.4 For Table 2A and Table 2B, the values stated in SI
units shall be considered standard. The values stated in Non-SI
units shall be considered informative regarding sieve sizes.
6. Composition and Properties
6.1 Table 3 shows the typical chemical properties of par-
ticulate rubber in Classification 1 through 8. See Table 2A and
Table 2B for the classification and description of the source of
rubber. Properties of particulate rubber, other than those in
Classification 1 through 8 shall be as agreed upon between the
customer, rubber feedstock supplier, manufacturer, or
compounder, or a combination thereof.
6.2 The product designation in this classification is based on
the particle size distribution of the product. See 5.4 and Table
2A and Table 2B.
7. Keywords
7.1 particle size; recycled rubber; source of rubber

ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or service@astm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org). Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the Copyright Clearance Center, 222
Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, Tel: (978) 646-2600; http://www.copyright.com/

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Wed Oct 16 18:17:06 EDT 2019
4
Downloaded/printed by
Universidad Nacional De Colombia (Universidad Nacional De Colombia) pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.