ASTM C1521-02a

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Designation: C 1521 – 02a
Standard Practice for
Evaluating Adhesion of Installed Weatherproofing Sealant
1
Joints
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1521; 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 1.4 The committee with jurisdiction over this practice is not
aware of any comparable practices published by other organi-
1.1 This practice describes field tests to determine the
zations or committees.
adhesive and cohesive characteristics of an installed sealant
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
joint, by manually placing a strain on the sealant. The sealant
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
to be tested shall be fully cured. The results of this method can
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
be used in conjunction with other information to determine the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
overall performance of the sealant joint. The user of this
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
practice should define the other parameters to be evaluated
such as cleaning of the substrate, depth control of the sealant,
2. Referenced Documents
sealant profile, etc. This method describes both nondestructive
2.1 ASTM Standards:
and destructive procedures.
2
C 717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
1.2 The destructive procedure stresses the sealant in such a
way as to cause either cohesive or adhesive failure of the
3. Terminology
sealant or cohesive failure of the substrate where deficient
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this rec-
substrate conditions exist. The objective is to characterize the
ommended procedure, see Terminology C 717.
adhesive/cohesive performance of the sealant on the specific
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
substrate by applying whatever strain is necessary to effect
3.2.1 flap, n—the term “flap” as used in this specification
failure of the sealant bead. It is possible that the strain applied
refers to a portion of an installed sealant bead that has been
to the sealant bead may result in the failure of a deficient
purposelycutalongonesubstratebondlineandacrossthebead
substrate before effecting a failure in the sealant.
at two locations resulting in a portion of bead adhered along
NOTE 1—The destructive procedure requires immediate repair of the
one substrate bond line.
sealant bead.Appropriate materials and equipment should be available for
3.2.2 tail, n—the term “tail” as used in this specification
this purpose.
refers to a portion of an installed sealant bead that has been
NOTE 2—Sealant formulations may fail in cohesion or adhesion when
purposely cut along both substrate bond lines and across the
properly installed, and tested by this method. The sealant manufacturer
bead at one location resulting in a portion of bead unadhered to
should be consulted to determine the appropriate guidelines for using this
method. the substrates but adhered to the remainder of the sealant bead.
1.3 The nondestructive procedure places strain on the seal-
4. Significance and Use
ant and a stress on the adhesive bond. Though termed nonde-
4.1 Many parameters contribute to the overall performance
structive, this procedure may result in an adhesive failure of a
of a sealant application. Some of the most significant param-
deficient sealant bead, but should not cause a cohesive failure
eters are sealant bead size and configuration, joint movement,
in the sealant. The results of this procedure should be either
quality of workmanship, the quality of the adhesive bond, and
adhesive failure or no failure.
the quality of the sealant material.
NOTE 3—The nondestructive procedure may require immediate repair
4.2 Asealant usually fails to perform as a weatherseal when
of the sealant bead, if failure is experienced. Appropriate materials and
it experiences cohesive or adhesive failure.
equipment should be available for this purpose.
4.3 If a sealant bead fails, an evaluation of the total joint
movement may be needed to determine if the joint sealant was
strained beyond design or if the sealant failed within design
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C24 on Building
parameters.
Seals and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.30 on
Adhesion.
Current edition approved May 10, 2002. Published July 2002. Originally
2
published as C 1521 – 02. Last previous edition C 1521 – 02. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
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