ASTM C1564-03

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: C 1564 – 03
Standard Guide for
Use of Silicone Sealants for Protective Glazing Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1564; 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 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This guide is for the use of silicone sealants in protective 2.1 ASTM Standards:
glazing systems for building construction. Protective glazing C 717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
includes systems designed for use in applications subject to C 719 Test Method for Adhesion and Cohesion of Elasto-
natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, windstorms meric Joint Sealants under Cyclic Movement (Hockman
and forms of forced entry such as blasts, burglary and ballistic Cycle)
attack. C 794 Test Method for Adhesion-in-Peel of Elastomeric
1.2 While other glazing accessories and components are Joint Sealants
used in protective glazing, this document specifically describes C 920 Specification for Elastomeric Joint Sealants
the use of silicone sealants for protective glazing systems. C 1087 Test Method for Determining Compatibility of
1.3 This guide provides information useful to design pro- Liquid-Applied Sealants with Accessories Used in Struc-
fessionals, architects, manufacturers, installers and others for tural Glazing Systems
the design and installation of silicone sealants for protective C 1135 Test Method for Determining Tensile Adhesion
glazing systems. Properties of Structural Sealants
1.4 A silicone sealant is only one component of a glazing C 1184 Specification for Structural Silicone Sealants
system. A glazing system that meets the testing and code C 1193 Guide for Use of Joint Sealants
requirement for impact glazing must successfully integrate the C 1394 Guide for In-Situ Structural Silicone Glazing Evalu-
frame and its anchorage, glass or other glazing materials, ation
protective film or interlayer and silicone sealant into a high C 1401 Guide for Structural Sealant Glazing
performance system. Compliance with code or other require- C 1472 Guide for Calculating Movement and Other Effects
ments can be determined through physical testing of the When Establishing Sealant Joint Width
glazing system or through computer simulation. D 624 Test Method for Tear Strength of Conventional
1.5 Glazing systems using silicone sealants that have suc- Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers
cessfully met the test requirements for missile impact and E 631 Terminology of Building Construction
bomb blast test requirements incorporate the use of silicone E 1886 Test Method for Performance of Exterior Windows,
sealants specifically formulated, tested and marketed for this Glazed Curtain Walls, Doors and Storm Shutters Impacted
application. Sealants that are commonly used today comply by Missile(s) and Exposed to Cyclic Pressure Differentials
with Specifications C 920 and C 1184. F 1642 Test Method for Glazing and Glazing Systems
1.6 This guide does not discuss sealants intended to protect Subject to Airblast Loadings
against radioactivity or provide biological containment. 2.2 GSA Standard:
1.7 The committee with jurisdiction over this standard is not US General Services Administration (GSA) Standard Test
aware of any comparable standards published by other orga- Method for Glazing and Window Systems Subject to
nizations. Dynamic Overpressure Loading
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 Definitions—Refer to Terminologies C 717 and E 631
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- for definitions of terms used in this guide.
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.01.
1 4
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C24 on Building Seals
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.11.
and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.10 on Specifi- Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.12.
cations, Guides, and Practices. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.08.
Current edition approved July 10, 2003. Published August 2003.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
C1564–03
4. Significance and Use significant role in the overall performance of the system.
Important properties to consider when selecting a sealant for
4.1 Guidelines are provided for the use of silicone sealants
any glazing system include the following:
in protective glazing. Protective glazing incorporates various
6.1.1 Adhesion—Sealant adhesion should be confirmed as
forms of glazing that are not covered in Guides C 1401 and
acceptable to the components of the glazing system including
C 1193. The requirements for a sealant in protective glazing are
glass, glass coatings, metal, wood, plastic, film laminate, or
similar to the requirements for structural sealant glazing but for
other material to which adhesion is required. Adhesion can be
certain applications such as missile impact and bomb blast
determined using Test Methods C 794 or C 1135. The adhesion
glazing, sealant requirements may be greater. Modes of failure
requirements specified in Specification C 1184 should be
for bomb blast glazing can be different than the modes of
considered as the minimum requirement for most missile
failure for missile impact glazing.
impact and bomb blast glazing systems. Guide C 1193 includes
4.2 Many types of protective glazing systems are relatively
a discussion on adhesion and testing that may be helpful.
new and the test methods and standards for protective glazing
are continually evolving. Because the demands on a sealant in 6.1.2 Compatibility—Sealant compatibility with each of the
protective glazing systems are changing, guidelines are neces- glazing components should be verified. Components include
sarily general in many instances. PVB, polycarbonate or a similar interlayer of laminated glass,
4.3 As a component of a glazing system, the sealant can be
insulating glass unit edge sealants, glazing and other gasket
a factor in whether a glazing system meets the requirements of and spacer materials, and metal framing materials and factory
a specific test method but other factors such as the frame and
applied coatings. Compatibility with gasket or other accessory
glass type may be of greater influence. materials is determined using Test Method C 1087. Guide
4.4 The designer of a protective glazing system should
C 1193 includes a discussion on compatibility and testing that
consult with the various manufacturers of the component may be helpful.
materials. The experience and judgment of the glazing system
6.1.3 Strength and Modulus—Sealant strength and modulus
designer working with the sealant manufacturer and other
are very important factors in determining whether a glazing
component manufacturers can ultimately determine whether a
system will pass a specific protective glazing requirement. A
specific glazing system will successfully meet a specific test
sealant with an ultimate tensile strength that is too low may not
requirement.
be able to support the glazing through a specific missile impact
or bomb blast test requirement. As a guide, the strength and
5. Introduction
modulus requirements identified in Specification C 1184
5.1 Protective glazing systems are designed for the protec-
should be followed. For some applications such as encountered
tion of the building occupants and general public from various
in certain bomb blast test requirements, these strength and
natural and man-made occurrences that could cause injury or
modulus requirements may not be high enough and a higher
damage. Natural disasters include hurricanes and windstorms,
strength structural silicone will be required. Since certain high
which with their high winds and wind-driven rain can cause
modulus sealants have lower movement capability, consider-
failure to joint sealants. Additionally, flying debris resulting
ations should be made to ensure that movement on the sealant
from high winds can cause damage to the glazing system. Test
joint does not exceed the movement capability of the sealant.
methods such as Test Method E 1886 simulate the effect of
6.1.4 Tear Characteristics and Fatigue—Along with
flying debris during a windstorm. Man-made occurrences
strength and modulus, the ability of a sealant to withstand the
include bomb blast, ballistic attack, burglary and vandalism.
cyclic loading of certain protective glazing test methods is
Test methods such as Test Method E 1886 and GSA Standard
important. Tear strength as determined by Test Method D 624
Test Method for Glazing and Window Systems Subject to
can be useful in determining whether a sealant can withstand
Dynamic Overpressure Loading provide procedures for the
the impulse load of a blast test or the cyclic loading of a missile
testing of glazing systems subject to bomb blast. Computer
impact test. The ability of a sealant to withstand the fatigue
software programs such as WINGARD or WINLAC may be
associated with cyclic loading is an important consideration
used to evaluate the effects of a bomb blast on a glazing
that may deem a sealant appropriate for missile impact
system.
applications.
5.2 A sealant can play a crucial role in retaining the glazing
6.1.5 Durability—Sealant durability is important in protec-
material in the opening and thus preserving the integrity of the
tive glazing. A sealant used in protective glazing is subject to
building envelope. If the building envelope is lost due to failure
a broad range of environmental factors including: Temperature
of the glazing system, the building can become pressurized
cycling, solar radiation exposure, moisture from the environ-
resulting in significant damage to the structure, its contents and
ment or condensation, ozone and air-borne pollutants. These
its occupants. The type of framing system, glazing material(s)
factors can cause premature failure of certain sealant types.
and sealant are major components of a glazing system that
Guide C 1193 includes a discussion on sealant durability and
must meet demanding test requirements and that considered
testing.
separately may or may not have a significant impact on system
6.1.6 Movement Capability—The movement capability of a
performance.
sealant is important if the sealant also serves as a weatherseal
6. Sealant Considerations
in a protective glazing system. Consideration of a sealant’s
6.1 Depending on the specific requirement of the protective movement capability is important for a glazing system to
glazing system, the properties of the sealant can perform a remain watertight and function as intended. Environmental
C1564–03
thermal cycling and other framing system movements may 7.3.1 Structural Sealant Glazed Joint—A silicone sealant
impact the ability of a sealant to perform as a weatherseal. may be used in a structural sealant glazed system that is also
Sealant joint design is important in determining if a sealant can
expected to meet certain protective glazing requirements. At
perform as for a weatherseal. Test Method C 719 should be
least the bite and thickness minimum guidelines stated in
used to determine movement capability of a sealant. Guides
Specification C 1184 and Guide C 1401 must be met. Glazing
C 1193 and C 1472 should be used to determine proper sealant
systems which have passed either small or large missile impact
joint design.
tests have bite dimensions of at least 12 mm ( ⁄2 in.) and in
some cases bite dimensions of 19 mm ( ⁄4 in.) to 25 mm (1 in.)
7. Design Considerations
have been required. Other key factors affecting glazing system
7.1 Currently there are no industry-accepted standards for performance include glass selection, bite configuration, frame
the design of sealant joints in protective glazing systems. The strength and other factors. Currently, actual full-scale perfor-
considerations discussed below are based on findings from
mance is used to establish appropriate bite or thickness
actual tests of protective glazing systems according to Test
dimension necessary to successfully pass a missile impact test.
Methods E 1886, F 1642, and GSA Standard Test Method for
Typical structurally glazed systems designed to pass missile
Glazing and Glazing Systems Subject to Airblast Loadings.
impact test requirements are shown in Figs. 1-3. Fig. 1
Unlike structural glazing where joint dimensions can be
illustrates a typical system with monolithic glass lite with a
precisely determined, this capability does not exist for the
laminate and polycarbonate coating on the interior facing
design of joints in protective glazing systems. Variables such as
surface of the glazing. Fig. 2 illustrates a conventional lami-
glass type and dimension, laminate type, framing system,
nated glass. Fig. 3 illustrates a laminated insulating glass unit.
anchoring, applied loads and other factors will all have an
7.3.2 Non-Structural Sealant Glazed Joint—A sealant may
impact on the performance of the sealant joint in a protective
also be used in a glazing system where it is not intended to
glazing system.
support the glass structurally under windload. In protective
7.2 Applied Loads—Protective glazing that is designed to
glazing, the sealant serves the dual purpose as a weatherseal in
resist bomb blast criteria must also be designed to resist other
the glazing system and as an anchor for the glazing in missile
lateral loads such as those required by the local building code,
impact or blast testing. The sealant performs non-structurally
which usually include lateral wind loads and seismic events.
prior to missile impact or blast and serves to anchor the glazing
For example, sometimes the design requirements for protective
in the opening after it is broken. For this reason, a high strength
glazing to resist a bomb blast can differ from those for an
structural sealant should be considered. In this design, sealant
applied lateral load from the local wind environment. Glass or
may be installed on the inside, outside or both surfaces of the
a glass composite product with the necessary strength and
glass. Conventional laminated glass typically requires sealant
deflection characteristics for a protective glazing system, when
on both the inside and outside surface to successfully meet
designed for bomb blast re
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