ISO 11617:2014

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 11617
First edition
2014-07-01
Buildings and civil engineering
works — Sealants — Determination of
changes in cohesion and appearance
of elastic weatherproofing sealants
after exposure of statically cured
specimens to artificial weathering and
mechanical cycling
Bâtiments et ouvrages de génie civil — Mastics — Détermination des
variations de cohésion et apparence des mastics élastiques résistants
aux intempéries après exposition d’éprouvettes statiquement
polymérisées à un cycle mécanique et de vieillissement artificiel
Reference number
©
ISO 2014
© ISO 2014
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ii © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative reference . 1
3 Definitions . 1
4 Principle . 2
5 Apparatus . 2
5.1 Support . 2
5.2 Spacers . 3
5.3 Backing material (bond breaker) . 3
5.4 Separators . 3
5.5 Container . 4
5.6 Ventilated convection-type oven . 4
5.7 Fully automated test chamber with an artificial light source . 4
5.8 Artificial light source. 5
5.9 Black standard (insulated) and black panel (uninsulated) temperature sensors . 5
6 Preparation of test specimens . 6
7 Conditioning . 6
7.1 General . 6
7.2 Method A (default) . 6
7.3 Method B (option) . 6
8 Test procedure . 7
8.1 General . 7
8.2 Accelerated weathering exposure conditions (default period: six weeks) . 7
8.3 Mechanical cycling . 8
9 Examination for defects . 9
10 Photo documentation of test specimens .13
11 Continuation of degradation cycles .13
12 Test report .14
Annex A (informative) .15
Bibliography .16
Foreword
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The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 59, Buildings and civil engineering works,
Subcommittee SC 8, Sealants.
iv © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 11617:2014(E)
Buildings and civil engineering works — Sealants —
Determination of changes in cohesion and appearance
of elastic weatherproofing sealants after exposure of
statically cured specimens to artificial weathering and
mechanical cycling
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies laboratory exposure procedures for determining the effects of
cyclic movement and artificial weathering on cured, elastic weatherproofing joint sealants (one- or
multi-component).
2 Normative reference
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 4628-4:2003, Paints and varnishes — Evaluation of degradation of coatings — Designation of quantity
and size of defects, and of intensity of uniform changes in appearance — Part 4: Assessment of degree of
cracking
ISO 4892-1:1999, Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 1: General guidance
ISO 4892-2:2013, Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 2: Xenon-arc lamps
ISO 4892-3:2013, Plastics —Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 3: Fluorescent UV
lamps
ISO 4892-4:2013, Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 4: Open-flame carbon-
arc lamps
ISO 6927:2012, Buildings and civil engineering works — Sealants — Vocabulary
ISO 8339:2005, Building construction — Sealants — Determination of tensile properties (Extension to
break)
ISO 11431:2002, Building construction — Jointing products — Determination of adhesion/cohesion
properties of sealants after exposure to heat, water and artificial light through glass
ISO 11600:2002, Building construction — Jointing products — Classification and requirements for sealants
ISO 13640:1999, Building construction — Jointing products — Specifications for test substrates
CIE Publication No. 20-1972, Recommendations for the integrated spectral irradiance and the spectral
distribution of simulated solar radiation for testing purposes
CIE Publication No. 85-1989, Technical report — Solar spectral irradiance, ISBN 3 900 734 22 4
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the definitions given in ISO 6927 apply.
Any notation in this standard shown as ‘target set value x ± operational fluctuation y’ shall be interpreted
as follows: set the experimental parameter at the target value x and maintain the experimental parameter
during the test procedure at ± y from the specified setting x. If the operational fluctuations exceed the
maximum allowable value after the equipment has stabilized, discontinue the test and correct the cause
of the problem before continuing.
4 Principle
Test specimens are prepared in which the sealant to be tested adheres to two parallel support surfaces
(substrates). The specimens are conditioned statically (no movement) in a controlled climate. The
conditioned specimens are then exposed to repetitive degradation cycles of artificial weathering (light,
heat, and moisture) and cyclic movement under controlled environmental conditions. Within each cycle,
weathering is carried out for six weeks in an artificial weathering machine. Simultaneously, with the
weathering, mechanical cycling is carried out by changing the position of the extension/compression
once a week. After completion of each degradation cycle (each lasting six weeks), the specimens (in
their extended/compressed state) are visually examined for changes in appearance, cohesion, and
adhesion of the sealant beads. The rating for quantity, width, and depth of cohesive cracks for a specific
extension/compression value achieved along the length of the specimen as well as the depth, length, and
range of any very significant loss of cohesion or adhesion (defined as >3 mm crack depth) is determined
and the general condition of the sealant is reported. The weathering and mechanical cycling exposure
and the examination for failures constitute a degradation cycle and the degradation cycle is repeated as
often as desired to achieve a certain exposure.
5 Apparatus
5.1 Support
Anodized aluminium support (as shown in Figure 1) for the preparation of test specimens, consisting
of two pivoting, L-shaped anodized aluminium support elements of dimensions 120 mm × 18 mm ×
18 mm (length × width × height) and 2 mm thickness riveted onto an anodized aluminium base-plate of
2 mm thickness such that a cavity of dimensions 120 mm × 20 mm × 18 mm (length × width × height)
is formed. Riveting of the support elements on the base-plate shall be such that they can be turned
freely with minimal friction on the pivot (fulcrum). The base plate holds five equally spaced holes of
5 mm diameter (for improved ventilation of the back face of the sealant such as to ensure better cure or
drying of the sealant) and two 3 mm holes for fixation of the specimen (see Figure 1 and Annex A). For
the specification of the anodized aluminium, refer to ISO 13640. All surfaces of the anodized aluminium
support to be later in contact with the sealant shall be cleaned according to the sealant manufacturer’s
recommendation.
NOTE Achieving optimum adhesion on the support substrate is important in order to obtain reproducible
ratings for surface and bulk degradation (cracking, crazing, cohesive failure, etc.) that is induced or influenced by
mechanical cycling. Even a partial loss of adhesion will cause a section of the test specimen to be exposed to no or a
lower degree of mechanical cycling than intended for a given movement amplitude of the sealant and invalidate the
results obtained for this movement exposure (as assessed along the extended leg of the test specimen). Currently,
no cleaning procedure and cleaning agent(s) have been identified that provide optimum adhesion on the support
substrate for all sealant products. Therefore, no cleaning procedure is specified in this International Standard.
If the manufacturer does not provide a recommendation for the cleaning procedure, the following method is
suggested for consideration by the experimenter: Clean all surfaces of the anodized aluminium support to be
later in contact with the sealant with high purity acetone (purity, by gas chromatography: 99,8 %) as follows: a)
saturate a clean, lint-free paper tissue or cloth with the solvent; b) clean the substrate with the solvent-saturated
cloth or tissue by wiping a minimum of three times so that visible contamination cannot be observed; c) wipe
the substrate with solvent-saturated cloth or tissue and immediately afterwards dry wipe the substrate surface
thoroughly using a dry, clean, lint-free paper tissue or cloth before the solvent completely evaporates. Repeat step
c) at least once. In each wipe of the substrate surface during step c), a new, uncontaminated cloth or tissue should
be used. For severely contaminated substrates, additional pre-cleaning steps can be required.
If other support materials are to be used, they shall be characterized and shall be described in the test
report. If other support dimensions are used, they shall be described in the test report.
2 © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

Figure 1 — Schematic drawing of test specimen — Sealant in anodized aluminium support used
for cyclic mechanical movement of sealant (all units in mm)
5.2 Spacers
Spacers for the preparation of the specimens, of dimensions 20 mm × 18 mm × 10 mm, with anti-adherent
surface (see Figure 1) shall be used. If the spacers are made of material to which the sealant adheres,
their surface shall be made anti-adherent, e.g. by a thin wax coating.
5.3 Backing material (bond breaker)
Open-cell foam backing material [polyethylene (PE) or polyurethane (PU) foam] of 3 mm thickness
for the preparation of test specimens shall be used. The foam backing material shall not restrict the
movement of the L-shaped pivoted support elements.
5.4 Separators
Separators of appropriate dimensions shall be used to hold the test specimens in extension up to the
maximum specified movement amplitude of the sealant.
5.5 Container
Container filled with demineralised or distilled water shall be used for conditioning according to method
B.
5.6 Ventilated convection-type oven
Ventilated convection-type oven, capable of being maintained at (70 ± 2) °C, shall be used for conditioning
according to method B.
5.7 Fully automated test chamber with an artificial light source
Fully automated test chamber with an artificial light source (5.8), shall be used, capable of exposing the
test specimens to radiation under controlled conditions of temperature, relative humidity, and water,
complying with the requirements of ISO 4892, Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4. The radiation is always directed
towards the same surface of the sealant specimen. Standard practices for operating such accelerated
weathering chambers are described in ISO 4892-1.
The level of irradiance and water exposure at the specimen surface as described in 5.8 and 8.2 cannot
be altered.
In fully automated test equipment, exposure to water for this test method is accomplished by water
1),2)
spraying the specimen surface or immersing the test specimens in water. Contamination of the water
is to be avoided. The purity of the water to be used is described in ISO 4892-1. The water temperatures
are typically (21 ± 5) °C for the spray water and typically (40 ± 5) °C for the re-circulated immersion
3)
water.
Suitable equipment and test procedures for cyclic exposures to water are described in ISO 4892, Parts
1, 2, 3, and 4. Water is a key factor contributing to the ageing of sealants, especially in combination with
exposure to light. In xenon arc devices that use water spray for wetting, relative humidity during the
4)
light period shall be maintained at (50 ± 10)% r.h. (see ISO 4892-2, Table 3, Method A, Cycle Number 1).
1) Adequate heat transfer between the test specimen and the environment is essential during the lower temperature
period in the fluorescent UV/condensation device in order for condensation on the sealant to occur. This places
restrictions on the thermal mass and, consequently, on the dimensions of a specimen. No experimental data have
been generated on the time-of-wetness of sealant test specimens of the kind specified in this International Standard
when placed in fluorescent UV/condensation device operating at conditions specified in this International Standard.
However, testing conducted by ASTM C24 on ISO 8339 specimens appears to suggest that the condensation process
provided in the fluorescent UV/condensation apparatus is generally not applicable to the type of sealant specimens
tested. Therefore, wetting in this International Standard is carried out by water spray on the exposed specimen
surface (default method). However, the front surface water spray accessory was not designed for this purpose
and requires an unreasonable amount of pure water for the wet period specified. Therefore, often the equipment
is modified to allow re-circulation of the water during the exposure period. Some fluorescent UV equipment has
adaptable spray manifolds, which allow installation of lower flow type nozzles, thus reducing the amount of pure
water used.
2) Data generated with these two methods of water exposure (spray or immersion) in a round robin test on a set of
sealants for revision of ISO 11431 showed acceptable correlation, although contributions to the various degradation
mechanisms acting in the specimens (e.g. hydrolysis, thermal shock, leaching of formulation components, etc.) can
differ between these exposures. The degree of correlation between these two methods thus can vary depending on
the specific sealant tested.
3) Spray water can be fresh or re-circulated from a holding tank. Immersion water is generally in a holding tank
for re-circulation. The temperature of the spray water is uncontrolled and for fresh water is typically (21 ± 5) °C. Re-
circulated spray water can be at a higher temperature. The uncontrolled temperature of the re-circulated immersion
water during operation of the weathering device is typically (40 ± 5) °C. It can be controlled by heating the water to a
higher temperature. However, heating is not desirable because the water immersion temperature would then differ
to a larger extent from the spray water temperature.
4) Generally, automated-weathering equipment based on xenon-arc light with water immersion exposure and
fluorescent UV lamp type equipment do not allow control of humidity during the light period.
4 © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

In the immersion technique, the test specimens are placed in a chamber that is periodically flooded
with re-circulated water. During immersion, the specimens are completely covered by water. The water
temperature is measured below the water surface with the black standard thermometer. The immersion
system shall be made from corrosion resistant materials that do not contaminate the water employed.
5.8 Artificial light source
Light sources for the simulation of the global radiation at the surface of the earth are subject to
development. The degree of approximation to the spectral power distribution according to CIE
publication No. 85 (Table 4) depends on the type of lamp. Xenon-arc lamps with suitable filters are
preferred and are considered the default for the purpose of this International Standard.
Several factors can change the intensity and the spectral power distribution of the artificial light source
during service. Comply with the manufacturer’s recommendations and the requirements of ISO 4892 to
maintain constant irradiation conditions.
5.8.1 Xenon-arc light source (default)
Xenon-arc light source with daylight filters shall be used for the simulation of terrestrial daylight as
defined in the CIE publication No. 85. The spectral power distribution of the radiation shall comply
with the requirements outlined in ISO 4892-2, method A. Irradiance at the surface of the test specimens
2 2
between the wavelengths of 300 nm and 800 nm shall be set at 550 W/m and maintained at ±75 W/m .
2 2
The equivalent irradiance setting for 300 nm to 400 nm shall be 60 W/m maintained at ±2 W/m and
2 2
the setting for 340 nm shall be 0,51 W/(m nm) maintained at ±0,02 W/(m nm). If, exceptionally, other
intensities will be used, these shall be stated in the test report. Irradiance below 300 nm shall not exceed
1 W/m . The irradiance shall not vary by more than ±10 % over the whole specimen exposure area.
5.8.2 Fluorescent ultraviolet source (option)
Fluorescent UVA-340 lamp(s) shall be used. The radiation of UVA-340 lamp(s) is mainly in the ultraviolet
region between 300 nm and 360 nm with negligible visible and infrared radiation. The spectral power
distribution of the radiation shall comply with the requirements outlined in ISO 4892-3 for a lamp with
343 nm peak emission. Irradiance below 300 nm shall not exceed 1 W/m . The irradiance shall not vary
by more than ±10 % over the whole specimen exposure area.
5.8.3 Open-flame carbon arc source (option)
Open-flame carbon arc light sources typically use carbon rods, which contain a mixture of metal salts.
An electric current is passed between the carbon rods, which burn and give off ultraviolet, visible, and
infrared radiation. Use carbon rods recommended by the device manufacturer. The spectral power
distribution of the radiation shall comply with the requirements outlined in ISO 4892-4, open-flame
5)
carbon arc light source with daylight type filter (type 1 filter).
5.9 Black standard (insulated) and black panel (uninsulated) temperature sensors
Black standard (default) and black panel thermometer (option) temperature sensors shall comply
with the requirements outlined in ISO 4892-1, 5.2. The default thermometer is the black standard
thermometer.
NOTE Under given operation conditions, black panel (uninsulated) thermometers tend
...