February 12, 2003 - Newsletter Dear Friends and Customers: Some of you may have heard that the Federal government is no longer specifying refined coal tar emulsions (RCTE). Does this mean that they are no longer used in government jobs? Are they banned? RCTE sealcoats are not banned, and they continue to be used extensively. Some less than ethical or poorly informed persons are using the changes to promote their own products without explanation of the facts. I am sure all of you are well aware of the Republican administration’s efforts to downsize government. Other than security and law enforcement related agencies, almost every agency has been forced to reduce staff in light of reduced budgets. This downsizing has resulted in a number of activities being “privatized,” and this applies to specifications for many generic products including refined coal tar emulsion fuel resistant asphalt pavement sealcoat materials. The industry standard RP-355 and its five modifications, RP-355e, were originally specified by the General Services Administration (GSA) and categorized by the Federal Supply System, thus GSA-FSS RP-355e. These agencies announced to the public that they were no longer able to monitor and support the system, and they turned over this responsibility to industry. In fact, the government asked ASTM to adopt a parallel standard. American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) has been in the business of developing industry wide specifications for various construction industries in North America since the early 1900’s. In fact, ASTM D3320 for “ready to use” sealer mirrors the old RP-355e after the “proper” amount of dilution. In 1995 ASTM adopted D5727 as the industry accepted form of RP-355e. Gem Seal/Mariani personnel were actively involved in the adoption of D5727. (Both specifications, D3320 and D5727, define material properties before the addition of latex or sand.) The inertia of the past will continue for many years, and concentrated RCTE will be referred to as “Fed Spec” or “RP-355e” for many years to come. However, the most current and correct reference should be ASTM D5727 for concentrated RCTE and ASTM D3320 for “ready to use” RCTE. Should you have any questions, please, feel free to call your local Gem Seal® manufacturing facility.

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