Designation: C793 − 05 (Reapproved 2010)

Standard Test Method for

Effects of Laboratory Accelerated Weathering on
Elastomeric Joint Sealants1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C793; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope chambers specified in Section 6 and operated in accordance

1.1 This test method covers a laboratory procedure for with specifications in Section 8 and Practice C1442.
determining the effects of accelerated weathering on cured-in- 4.2 Following this treatment the specimens are exposed for
place elastomeric joint sealants (single- and multicomponent) 24 h in a freezer maintained at −26 6 2°C (−15 6 4°F).
for use in building construction.
4.3 At the end of the cold exposure, the specimens are bent
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the over a mandrel within 1 s at the specified temperature.
standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 The committee with jurisdiction over this standard is not 5. Significance and Use
aware of any comparable standards published by other ASTM 5.1 It is known that solar radiation contributes to the
committees or other organizations. degradation of sealants in exterior building joints. The use of a
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the laboratory accelerated weathering machine with actinic
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the radiation, moisture and heat appears to be a feasible means to

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responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- give indications of early degradation by the appearance of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- sealant cracking. However, simulated weather factors in com-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. bination with extension may produce more severe degradation
2. Referenced Documents than weather factors only. Therefore, the effect of the weath-
ering test is made more sensitive by the addition of the bending
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 of the specimen at cold temperature.
C717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
C1442 Practice for Conducting Tests on Sealants Using 6. Apparatus
Artificial Weathering Apparatus
G151 Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials in Accel- 6.1 Exposure Apparatus—The exposure apparatus shall be
erated Test Devices that Use Laboratory Light Sources one of the three types of laboratory accelerated weathering
devices described in Practice C1442 that use either xenon arc,
3. Terminology fluorescent UV, or open flame carbon arc radiation. Consult
3.1 Definitions—See Terminology C717 for applicable defi- Practice C1442, Section 7 for the differences in test parameters
nitions of the following terms: cure, elastomeric, joint, sealant, among the devices. Because of differences in test conditions,
and substrate. test results may differ with the type of device used. The choice
of device shall be by mutual agreement among the interested
4. Summary of Test Method parties.
4.1 Three sealant specimens are spread on aluminum plates
6.2 Freezer or Cold Box, having a temperature controlled
and exposed in one of the laboratory accelerated weathering
at −26 6 2°C (−15 6 4°F).
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C24 on Building 6.3 Rectangular Brass Frame, with inside dimensions 130
Seals and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.40 on by 40 by 3 mm (5 by 11⁄2 by 1⁄8 in.).
Weathering.
Current edition approved June 1, 2010. Published July 2010. Originally approved 6.4 Aluminum Plates, three, each 152 by 80 by 0.3 mm (6 by
in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as C793 – 05. DOI: 10.1520/ 3 by 0.01 in.).
C0793-05R10.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 6.5 Steel Mandrel, 12.7 mm (1⁄2 in.) in diameter and about
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM 102 mm (4 in.) long.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 6.6 Thin-Bladed Knife.

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

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 C793 − 05 (2010)
6.7 Straightedge, metal or plastic, about 152 mm (6 in.) NOTE 2—See Annex A1 in Practice C1442 for determining the xenon
long. arc exposure time required to obtain the same radiant exposure at other
irradiance levels.
6.8 Spatula, steel, about 152 mm (6 in.) long.
8.1.4 At the end of exposure, remove the specimens from
7. Standard Test Conditions the machine and note changes in appearance as compared with
the unexposed file specimen.
7.1 Unless otherwise specified by those authorizing the test, 8.1.5 Place all three specimens and the mandrel in the
standard conditions shall be as described in Terminology C717. freezer, controlled at −26 6 2°C (−15 6 4°F) for 24 h. At the
8. Procedure end of this period, while in the freezer at this temperature, bend
each specimen, with sealant side outward, across its width,
8.1 Test of Multicomponent Sealants: 180° around the mandrel within 1 s. Examine each specimen
8.1.1 Condition at least 200 g of base compound and for cracks developed over the bend area.
appropriate amount of curing agent and pigment, if required, in
a closed container for at least 24 h at standard conditions; then 8.2 Test of Single-Component Sealants:
mix thoroughly for 5 min. 8.2.1 Condition at least 200 g of compound in a closed
8.1.2 Fill the brass frame, after centering it on the aluminum container for at least 24 h at standard conditions.
plate, with a portion of the mixed compound and strike if off 8.2.2 Follow the same procedure as specified in 8.1.2-8.1.4.
flat with a straightedge. Immediately lift the frame from the
9. Report
sealant after separating it by running a thin-bladed knife along
the inside of the frame (Note 1). Prepare three such specimens 9.1 The report shall include the following information for
and cure them for 21 days at standard conditions. each sample tested:
9.1.1 Identification of the sealant tested.
NOTE 1—In the case of pourable grade compound, do not lift the brass
9.1.2 Description of the type of sealant, such as single- or
frame until the sealant is sufficiently set so that it will retain its rectangular
shape. multicomponent, nonsag or pourable, color, etc.
9.1.3 Type, manufacturer and model of artificial weathering
8.1.3 At the end of the curing period, leave one specimen
apparatus used. Irradiance level and actual time (number of
unexposed at standard conditions to be used as an unexposed
hours) in weathering apparatus.
file specimen and place the other two in the weathering device
9.1.4 Description of specimens after accelerated
selected. Condition test specimens in the artificial weathering

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weathering, as compared to the unexposed file specimen. Fig.
device with the sealant surface facing the exposure source and
1 includes examples of cracking obtainable after the weather-
positioned at the specified distance from the source. Specimens
ing test. Number 0 represents no cracks.
should be confined to an exposure area in which the irradiance
9.1.5 Description of specimens after bend test. Fig. 2
is at least 90 % of the irradiance at the center of the exposure
includes examples of cracking obtainable after the bend test.
area. Unless it is known that irradiance uniformity meets this
Number 0 represents no cracks.
requirement, use one of the procedures described in Practice
9.1.6 Variations, if any, from the specified test procedure.
G151, Section 5.1.4 to ensure equal radiant exposure on all
specimens or compensation for differences within the exposure 10. Precision
chamber. If the specimens do not completely fill the racks, fill
10.1 Round robin tests to provide a precision statement on
the empty spaces with blank metal panels to maintain the test
determination of the effects of laboratory accelerated weather-
conditions within the chamber. Test conditions in each type of
ing on elastomeric joint sealants based on the tests in this test
device are in accordance with the procedures in C1442, Section
method are pending.
7 on Apparatus and the following:
8.1.3.1 Unless the default cycle is selected by mutual 10.2 In a round-robin test in which each of three laborato-
agreement, the exposure cycle shall be the cycle described in ries tested eight sealant samples to determine the effect of bend
7.2.4 and 7.4.3 of Practice C1442 for the xenon arc and open test at −26°C (−15°F) after ultraviolet exposure, as prescribed
flame carbon arc devices, respectively. in the test, the laboratories agreed on 22 of the 24 determina-
8.1.3.2 The exposure duration shall be a minimum of 250 h tions.
for the fluorescent UV/condensation and open flame carbon arc
tests. The exposure duration for the xenon arc test shall be a 11. Keywords
minimum of 250 h exposure at an irradiance level of 0.51 11.1 accelerated weathering; sealant; ultraviolet; weathering
W/(m2 · nm) at 340 nm (459 kJ/(m2 · nm) at 340 nm).

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 C793 − 05 (2010)

NOTE 1—Number 0 represents no cracks.

FIG. 1 Examples of Cracking Obtainable After the Weathering Test

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NOTE 1—Number 0 represents no cracks.

FIG. 2 Examples of Cracking Obtainable After the Bend Test

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 C793 − 05 (2010)
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