Designation: C 793 – 02

Standard Test Method for

Effects of Accelerated Weathering on Elastomeric Joint
Sealants1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 793; 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 of the cold exposure the specimens are bent over a mandrel
1.1 This test method covers a laboratory procedure for within 1 s at the specified temperature.
determining the effects of accelerated weathering on cured-in- 5. Significance and Use
place elastomeric joint sealants (single- and multicomponent)
for use in building construction. 5.1 It is known that ultraviolet radiation contributes to the
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the degradation of sealants in exterior building joints. The use of a
standard. The values in parentheses are for information only. laboratory accelerated weathering machine with ultraviolet
1.3 The committee with jurisdiction over this standard is not radiation and intermittent water spray appears to be a feasible
aware of any comparable standards published by other ASTM means to give indications of early degradation by the appear-
committees or other organizations. ance of sealant cracking. However, other factors such as UV
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the exposure in combination with extension may produce more
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the severe degradation than UV alone. The effect of the test is
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- made more sensitive by the addition of the bending of the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- specimen at cold temperature.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 6. Apparatus
2. Referenced Documents 6.1 Exposure Apparatus—An accelerated weathering ma-
2.1 ASTM Standards: chine, twin-enclosed carbon arc with 102-18 light/water spray
C 717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants2 cycle (102 min of light followed by 18 min of light and
G 23 Practice for Operating Light-Exposure Apparatus deionized water). It shall conform to Type D of Practice G 23.
(Carbon-Arc Type) With and Without Water for Exposure NOTE 1—There are several other weathering machines described in
of Nonmetallic Materials3 Practice G 23 available for use, and these may or may not give different
results from the one described under Type D. Instruments that have a
3. Terminology means of humidification should operate without the humidifier.
3.1 Definitions—See Terminology C 717 for applicable 6.2 Freezer or Cold Box, having a temperature controlled
definitions of the following terms: cure, elastomeric, joint, at −26 6 2°C (−15 6 3.6°F).
sealant, and substrate. 6.3 Rectangular Brass Frame, with inside dimensions 130
by 40 by 3 mm (5 by 11⁄2 by 1⁄8 in.).
4. Summary of Test Method 6.4 Aluminum Plates, three, each 152 by 80 by 0.3 mm (6 by
4.1 Three sealant specimens are spread on aluminum plates 3 by 0.01 in.).
and exposed to 250 h of ultraviolet radiation with intermittent 6.5 Steel Mandrel, 12.7 mm (1⁄2 in.) in diameter and about
water spray in a standard accelerated weathering machine. 102 mm (4 in.) long.
Following this treatment the specimens are exposed for 24 h in 6.6 Thin-Bladed Knife.
a freezer maintained at −26 6 2°C (−15 6 3.6°F). At the end 6.7 Straightedge, metal or plastic, about 152 mm (6 in.)
long.
1
6.8 Spatula, steel, about 152 mm (6 in.) long.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C24 on Building
Seals and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.40 on
Weathering.
7. Standard Test Conditions
Current edition approved May 10, 2002. Published June 2002. Originally 7.1 Unless otherwise specified by those authorizing the test,
published as C 793 – 75. Last previous edition C 793 – 91 (1997)e1. standard conditions of temperature and relative humidity shall
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
3
Discontinued; see 1999 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.04. be 23 6 2°C (73.4 6 3.6°F) and 50 6 5 %, respectively.

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

1
 C 793 – 02
8. Procedure frame until the sealant is sufficiently set that it will retain its rectangular
shape.
8.1 Test of Multicomponent Sealants:
8.1.1 Condition at least 200 g of base compound and 8.2 Test of Single-Component Sealants:
appropriate amount of curing agent and pigment, if required, in 8.2.1 Condition at least 200 g of compound in a closed
a closed container for at least 24 h at standard conditions; then container for at least 24 h at standard conditions.
mix thoroughly for 5 min. 8.2.2 Follow the same procedure as specified in 8.1.2-8.1.4.
8.1.2 Fill the brass frame, after centering it on the aluminum
plate, with a portion of the mixed compound and strike if off 9. Report
flat with a straightedge. Immediately lift the frame from the 9.1 The report shall include the following information for
sealant after separating it by running a thin-bladed knife along each sample tested:
the inside of the frame (Note 2). Prepare three such specimens 9.1.1 Identification of the sealant tested.
and cure them for 72 h at standard conditions. 9.1.2 Description of the type of sealant, such as single- or
8.1.3 At the end of the curing period, leave one (control) multicomponent, nonsag or pourable, color, etc.
specimen at standard conditions and place the other two in the 9.1.3 Name and description of accelerated weathering ma-
drum of the weathering machine and expose them for 250 h. chine.
The temperature at the specimen during operation shall be 60 9.1.4 Description of specimens after 250 h of accelerated
6 2.8°C (140 6 5°F) and the water temperature shall be 23 6 weathering, as compared to the control specimen. Fig. 1
2°C (73.4 6 3.6°F). Change carbons and clean glass globes includes examples of cracking obtainable after the ultraviolet
daily during the exposure period. test. Number 0 represents no cracks.
8.1.4 At the end of 250 h of exposure, remove the speci- 9.1.5 Description of specimens after bend test. Fig. 2
mens from the machine and note changes in appearance as includes examples of cracking obtainable after the bend test.
compared with the control specimen. Number 0 represents no cracks.
8.1.5 Place all three specimens and the mandrel in the 9.1.6 Variations, if any, from the specified test procedure.
freezer, controlled at −26 6 2°C (−15 6 3.6°F) for 24 h. At the
end of this period, while in the freezer at this temperature, bend 10. Precision
each specimen, with sealant side outward, across its width, 10.1 In a round-robin test in which each of four laboratories
180° around the mandrel within 1 s. Examine each specimen tested eight sealant samples to determine the effect of ultravio-
for cracks developed over the bend area. let radiation on cracking as prescribed in the test, the labora-
NOTE 2—In the case of pourable grade compound, do not lift the brass tories agreed on 31 of the 32 determinations.

NOTE 1—Number 0 represents no cracks.

FIG. 1 Examples of Cracking Obtainable After the Ultraviolet Test

2
 C 793 – 02

NOTE 1—Number 0 represents no cracks.

FIG. 2 Examples of Cracking Obtainable After the Bend Test

10.2 In a round-robin test in which each of three laborato- 11. Keywords

ries tested eight sealant samples to determine the effect of bend
11.1 accelerated weathering; sealant; ultraviolet; weathering
test at −26°C (−15°F) after ultraviolet exposure, as prescribed
in the test, the laboratories agreed on 22 of the 24 determina-
tions.

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 [email protected] (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org).