ASTM E2269-03

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An American National Standard
Designation:E2269–03
Standard Test Method for
Determining Argon Concentration in Sealed Insulating Glass
Units using Gas Chromatography
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2269; 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 3.2.2 sealed insulating glass unit—a pre-assembled unit,
comprising sealed panes of glass separated by dehydrated
1.1 This test method covers procedures for using gas chro-
space (s), intended for clear vision areas of buildings. the unit
matographs to determine the concentration of argon gas in the
isnormallyusedforwindows,windowwalls,picturewindows,
space between the panes of sealed insulating glass.
sliding doors, patio doors, or other types of windows or doors.
1.2 This test method is not applicable to insulating glass
units containing open capillary/breather tubes.
4. Significance and Use
1.3 The values stated in metric (SI) units are to be regarded
4.1 This test method is intended to provide a means for
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
determining the concentration of argon, oxygen, and nitrogen
information only.
gases, in individual sealed insulating glass units, which were
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
intended to be filled with a specific concentration of argon at
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the time of manufacture.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.2 Theargon,oxygenandnitrogenarephysicallyseparated
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
by gas chromatography and compared to corresponding com-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ponents separated under similar conditions from a reference
2. Referenced Documents standard mixture or mixtures of known composition.
4.3 The composition of the sample is calculated from the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
chromatogram by comparing the area under the curve of each
C 162 Terminology of Glass and Glass Products
3 component with the area under the curve of the corresponding
C 717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
component on the reference standard chromatogram.
E 355 Practice for Gas Chromatography Terms and Rela-
4.4 It is essential that the person or persons performing this
tionships
test are very knowledgeable about the principles and tech-
E 631 Terminology of Building Constructions
niques of gas chromatography, operation and calibration of gas
E 773 Test Method for Accelerated Weathering of Sealed
chromatographs. More information can be found in Practice
Insulating Glass Units
E 355.
E 2188 Test Method for Insulating Glass Unit Performance
4.5 It takes time for the fill gas to equilibrate in any
3. Terminology insulatingglassunit.Thisisparticularlyimportantininsulating
glass units using a tubular spacer and in units containing
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms found in this
interior components such as tubular muntin bars. Performing
standard, refer to Terminologies C 162, C 717, and E 631.
this test before a unit has equilibrated could result in fill gas
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
concentrations that are measurably different than the actual fill
3.2.1 fill gas—any gas or mixture of gases intended to
gas concentration.
replace atmospheric air in the space between the panes of a
4.6 This method may be used to determine the initial argon
sealed insulating glass unit. a fill gas is typically inert. the most
gas concentration achieved by the filling method, or the argon
commonly used fill gases include argon, krypton and sulfur
gas concentration in units which have been in service or which
hexafluoride (SF ).
have been subjected to durability tests such as those described
in Test Methods E 773 and E 2188.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
4.7 This method is not applicable to units filled with
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.22
mixtures of argon and gases other than air.
on Durability Performance of Building Constructions.
4.8 This is a destructive test method in that the edge seal of
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 2003. Published October 2003.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.02. the insulating glass unit is breached in order to obtain a gas
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
sample for analysis by gas chromatography.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.11.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E2269–03
4.9 The argon concentration in the gas fill is part of the 7.2 Wrap the shank of the sampling needle with PIB (poly
information necessary to estimate the thermal performance of isobutylene) sealant or other sealing mastic.
the sealed insulating glass unit. 7.3 Drill or punch a 1.6 mm ( ⁄16 in.) hole through the edge
sealant and the spacer. The hole is drilled into one of the long
NOTE 1—Other data necessary include gap width, glass thickness,
sides of the unit approximately 76 mm (3 in.) from a corner.
coating type, film coefficients, etc. but are beyond the scope of this
Drilling a hole is not necessary in spacers that allow the needle
standard.
topassthroughthespacerwithoutdamageorobstructiontothe
5. Apparatus
needle.
7.4 Remove the drill or punch and immediately plug the
5.1 Gas Chromatograph, capable of separating argon from
hole with a finger.
oxygen and nitrogen as indicated by the return of the recorded
7.5 Slide the finger off the hole and immediately insert the
peak to the baseline between each successive peak and
PIB wrapped sampling needle, with the syringe evacuated
including the following components:
(plunger forward).
5.1.1 Gas Sampling Valve, with a capacity of 100 to 250 µL.
7.6 Seal the needle into the hole with the PIB sealant.
5.1.2 Adsorption Column, capable of separating argon from
other gases.
8. Calibration and Standardization
NOTE 2—Examples of columns which may be used include: Haysept
8.1 Apparatus Preparation:
and Restek, 5Å Plot.
8.1.1 Prepare gas chromatograph as directed by the manu-
5.2 Detector, such as a thermal conductivity detector
facturer.
(TCD).
N
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