ISO 13640:2018
(Main)Buildings and civil engineering works - Sealants - Specifications for test substrates
Buildings and civil engineering works - Sealants - Specifications for test substrates
This document specifies the procedures for producing substrates of mortar, glass and anodized aluminium used for testing sealants. The purpose of these requirements is to ensure the reproducibility of the standardized tests conducted on sealants through the precise definition of both the composition and the method of preparation of the test substrates. The substrates defined in this document are indicators of the sealant's performance and not substrates which reproduce the characteristics of the construction materials.
Bâtiments et ouvrages de génie civil — Mastics — Prescriptions relatives aux supports d'essais
Le présent document spécifie des méthodes de réalisation des supports en mortier, verre ou aluminium anodisé, utilisés pour des essais sur mastics. Ces prescriptions ont pour objectif d'assurer la reproductibilité des essais normalisés sur les mastics, à travers la définition précise de la composition et du mode de préparation des supports d'essai. Les supports définis dans le présent document sont des indicateurs de performance des mastics et non des supports reproduisant les caractéristiques des matériaux du bâtiment.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 11-Jul-2018
- Technical Committee
- ISO/TC 59/SC 8 - Sealants
- Drafting Committee
- ISO/TC 59/SC 8 - Sealants
- Current Stage
- 9599 - Withdrawal of International Standard
- Start Date
- 05-Nov-2025
- Completion Date
- 13-Dec-2025
Relations
- Revised
ISO 13640:2025 - Building and civil engineering sealants - Specifications for test substrates - Effective Date
- 07-Jan-2025
- Revises
ISO 13640:1999 - Building construction - Jointing products - Specifications for test substrates - Effective Date
- 04-Nov-2015
Overview
ISO 13640:2018 is an international standard that specifies precise requirements for producing test substrates used in evaluating sealants for buildings and civil engineering works. This standard defines detailed procedures to prepare mortar, glass, and anodized aluminium substrates, ensuring consistent and reproducible conditions for standardized sealant testing. These substrates act as performance indicators during sealant testing rather than replicating the natural characteristics of construction materials.
Maintained by ISO Technical Committee 59/Subcommittee 8, this latest edition updates mortar composition ratios and adds procedures for preparing glass and anodized aluminium surfaces, including immersion methods. Adhering to ISO 13640:2018 helps manufacturers, testing labs, and certification bodies to generate reliable and comparable test results for sealant quality and performance.
Key Topics
Mortar Substrates
- Dimensions: Typical size of 75 mm × 12 mm × 25 mm.
- Composition: Cement (CEM 1-42.5 or equivalent), sand following ISO reference sand particle size, and distilled water at a water-to-cement ratio (W/C) between 0.3 and 0.5.
- Preparation Methods:
- Method M1 produces smooth surfaces using layered filling with vibration, followed by curing underwater for 28 days and surface grinding.
- Method M2 results in rough surfaces through jolting during filling, delayed leveling, brushing to expose sand grains, and similar curing conditions.
Glass Substrates
- Dimensions: Minimum 75 mm × 12 mm × 6 mm.
- Type: Clear float glass with light transmission ≥ 0.85 per ISO 16293 series.
- Surface Preparation: Requires removal of oils, grease, and loose particles by either:
- Wipe-on/wipe-off cleaning using acetone or isopropanol.
- Immersion cleaning in acetone or isopropanol for 10 minutes followed by drying on a stainless steel grate.
Anodized Aluminium Substrates
- Dimensions: Typically 75 mm × 12 mm × 5 mm.
- Material: Aluminium alloys 6060 or 6063, tempered per ISO 2107 standards (T5 or T6).
- Anodization: Per ISO 7599 with clear anodizing (class AA 15 or AA 20), sealing index u 2 (ISO 2143), and verified sealing bath additives.
- Surface Preparation: Similar to glass substrates, including wipe-on/wipe-off and immersion cleaning methods for contaminant removal.
Applications
ISO 13640:2018 is vital for:
- Sealant Testing Laboratories: Provides standardized substrate preparation techniques to ensure test reproducibility and validity when evaluating sealant durability, adhesion, and performance characteristics.
- Sealant Manufacturers: Enables consistent quality control by using standardized substrates that serve as reliable indicators in product development and batch testing.
- Certification Bodies: Supports compliance assessments by defining test substrate requirements that facilitate fair comparison across products and testing facilities.
- Construction Engineering: Assists design and specification professionals in selecting sealants with verified performance data obtained under reproducible testing conditions.
Using ISO 13640:2018 helps optimize sealant performance evaluation, improving building envelope integrity, durability, and weather resistance in civil engineering works.
Related Standards
ISO 13640:2018 references and aligns with several complementary standards:
- ISO 209: Aluminium and aluminium alloys - Chemical composition.
- ISO 679:2009: Cement test methods for strength determination.
- ISO 2143: Anodizing quality assessment via dye-spot test.
- ISO 2107:2007: Aluminium alloys temper designations.
- ISO 6927 and ISO 6707-1: Sealants and building works vocabulary and terms.
- ISO 7599: Anodic oxide coatings on aluminium general specifications.
- ISO 16293-1 & ISO 16293-2: Specifications for soda lime silicate float glass products.
- EN 197-1: Cement composition and conformity criteria.
These interrelated standards together establish a comprehensive framework ensuring substrate and material consistency for sealant testing in construction.
Keywords: ISO 13640, sealants testing, mortar substrates, glass substrates, anodized aluminium substrates, construction sealants, standardized test substrates, building materials testing, civil engineering, sealant performance evaluation.
ISO 13640:2018 - Buildings and civil engineering works — Sealants — Specifications for test substrates Released:7/12/2018
ISO 13640:2018 - Bâtiments et ouvrages de génie civil — Mastics — Prescriptions relatives aux supports d'essais Released:7/12/2018
Frequently Asked Questions
ISO 13640:2018 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Buildings and civil engineering works - Sealants - Specifications for test substrates". This standard covers: This document specifies the procedures for producing substrates of mortar, glass and anodized aluminium used for testing sealants. The purpose of these requirements is to ensure the reproducibility of the standardized tests conducted on sealants through the precise definition of both the composition and the method of preparation of the test substrates. The substrates defined in this document are indicators of the sealant's performance and not substrates which reproduce the characteristics of the construction materials.
This document specifies the procedures for producing substrates of mortar, glass and anodized aluminium used for testing sealants. The purpose of these requirements is to ensure the reproducibility of the standardized tests conducted on sealants through the precise definition of both the composition and the method of preparation of the test substrates. The substrates defined in this document are indicators of the sealant's performance and not substrates which reproduce the characteristics of the construction materials.
ISO 13640:2018 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 91.100.50 - Binders. Sealing materials. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ISO 13640:2018 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 13640:2025, ISO 13640:1999. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ISO 13640:2018 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 13640
Second edition
2018-07
Buildings and civil engineering
works — Sealants — Specifications for
test substrates
Bâtiments et ouvrages de génie civil — Mastics — Prescriptions
relatives aux supports d'essais
Reference number
©
ISO 2018
© ISO 2018
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Fax: +41 22 749 09 47
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2018 – All rights reserved
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Test substrates . 2
4.1 Mortar substrates . 2
4.1.1 Dimensions . 2
4.1.2 Mortar composition . 2
4.1.3 Preparation of substrates . 2
4.2 Glass substrates . 3
4.2.1 General. 3
4.2.2 Preparation of substrate surface. . 3
4.3 Anodized aluminium substrates . 4
4.3.1 Dimensions . 4
4.3.2 Aluminium alloys . 4
4.3.3 Anodization . 4
4.3.4 Preparation of substrate surface. . 4
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2. www .iso .org/directives.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received. www .iso .org/patents.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the WTO
principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary
information.
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 59, Buildings and civil engineering works,
Subcommittee SC 8, Sealants.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 13640:1999), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— modification of the ratio by mass of mortar composition;
— addition of the preparation of glass surface and immersion method;
— addition of the preparation of anodized aluminium surface and immersion method.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/members .html.
iv © ISO 2018 – All rights reserved
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 13640:2018(E)
Buildings and civil engineering works — Sealants —
Specifications for test substrates
1 Scope
This document specifies the procedures for producing substrates of mortar, glass and anodized
aluminium used for testing sealants.
The purpose of these requirements is to ensure the reproducibility of the standardized tests conducted
on sealants through the precise definition of both the composition and the method of preparation of the
test substrates.
The substrates defined in this document are indicators of the sealant's performance and not substrates
which reproduce the characteristics of the construction materials.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the lates
...
NORME ISO
INTERNATIONALE 13640
Deuxième édition
2018-07
Bâtiments et ouvrages de génie civil —
Mastics — Prescriptions relatives aux
supports d'essais
Buildings and civil engineering works — Sealants — Specifications
for test substrates
Numéro de référence
©
ISO 2018
DOCUMENT PROTÉGÉ PAR COPYRIGHT
© ISO 2018
Tous droits réservés. Sauf prescription différente ou nécessité dans le contexte de sa mise en oeuvre, aucune partie de cette
publication ne peut être reproduite ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique,
y compris la photocopie, ou la diffusion sur l’internet ou sur un intranet, sans autorisation écrite préalable. Une autorisation peut
être demandée à l’ISO à l’adresse ci-après ou au comité membre de l’ISO dans le pays du demandeur.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Tél.: +41 22 749 01 11
Fax: +41 22 749 09 47
E-mail: copyright@iso.org
Web: www.iso.org
Publié en Suisse
ii © ISO 2018 – Tous droits réservés
Sommaire Page
Avant-propos .iv
1 Domaine d’application . 1
2 Références normatives . 1
3 Termes et définitions . 1
4 Supports d’essai . 2
4.1 Supports mortier . 2
4.1.1 Dimensions . 2
4.1.2 Composition du mortier . 2
4.1.3 Préparation des supports . 2
4.2 Supports verre . 3
4.2.1 Généralités . 3
4.2.2 Préparation de la surface du support . 3
4.3 Supports aluminium anodisé . 4
4.3.1 Dimensions . 4
4.3.2 Alliages d’aluminium . 4
4.3.3 Anodisation . 4
4.3.4 Préparation de la surface du support . 4
Avant-propos
L'ISO (Organisation internationale de normalisation) est une fédération mondiale d'organismes
nationaux de normalisation (comités membres de l'ISO). L'élaboration des Normes internationales est
en général confiée aux comités techniques de l'ISO. Chaque comité membre intéressé par une étude
a le droit de faire partie du comité technique créé à cet effet. Les organisations internationales,
gouvernementales et non gouvernementales, en liaison avec l'ISO participent également aux travaux.
L'ISO collabore étroitement avec la Commission électrotechnique internationale (IEC) en ce qui
concerne la normalisation électrotechnique.
Les procédures utilisées pour élaborer le présent document et celles destinées à sa mise à jour sont
décrites dans les Directives ISO/IEC, Partie 1. Il convient, en particulier de prendre note des différents
critères d'approbation requis pour les différents types de documents ISO. Le présent document a été
rédigé conformément aux règles de rédaction données dans les Directives ISO/IEC, Partie 2 (voir www
.iso .org/directives).
L'attention est attirée sur le fait que certains des éléments du présent document peuvent faire l'objet de
droits de propriété intellectuelle ou de droits analogues. L'ISO ne saurait être tenue pour responsable
de ne pas avoir identifié de tels droits de propriété et averti de leur existence. Les détails concernant
les références aux droits de propriété intellectuelle ou autres droits analogues identifiés lors de
l'élaboration du document sont indiqués dans l'Introduction et/ou dans la liste des déclarations de
brevets reçues par l'ISO (voir www .iso .org/brevets).
Les appellations commerciales éventuellement mentionnées dans le présent document sont données
pour information, par souci de commodité, à l’intention des utilisateurs et ne sauraient constituer un
engagement.
Pour une explication de la nature volontaire des normes, la signification des termes et expressions
spécifiques de l'ISO liés à l'évaluation de la conformité, ou pour toute information au sujet de l'adhésion
de l'ISO aux principes de l’Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC) concernant les obstacles
techniques au commerce (OTC), voir le lien suivant: www .iso .org/avant -propos.
Le comité chargé de l’élaboration du présent document est l’ISO/TC 59, Bâtiments et ouvrages de génie
civil, sous-comité SC 8, Mastics.
Cette deuxième édition annule et remplace la première édition (ISO 13640:1999), qui a fait l’objet d’une
révision technique.
Les principales modifications par rapport à l’édition précédente sont les suivantes:
— modification du rapport pondéral de la composition du mortier;
— ajout de la préparation de la surface du verre et de la méthode d’immersion;
— ajout de la préparation de la surface de l’aluminium anodisé et de la méthode d’immersion.
Il convient que l’utilisateur adresse tout retour d’information ou toute question concernant le présent
document à l’organisme national de normalisation de son pays. Une liste exhaustive desdits organismes
se trouve à l’adresse www .iso .org/fr/members .html.
iv © ISO 2018 – Tous droits réservés
NORME INTERNATIONALE ISO 13640:2018(F)
Bâtiments et ouvrages de génie civil — Mastics —
Prescriptions relatives aux supports d'essais
1 Domaine d’application
Le présent document spécifie des méthodes de réalisation des supports en mortier, verre ou aluminium
anodisé, utilisés pour des essais sur mastics.
Ces prescriptions ont pour objectif d’assurer la reproductibilité des essais normalisés sur les mastics, à
travers la définition précise de la composition et du mode de préparation des supports d’essai.
Les supports définis dans le présent document sont des indicateurs de performance des mastics et non
des supports reproduisant les caractéristiques des matériaux du bâtiment.
2 Références normatives
Les documents suivants cités dans le texte constituent, pour tout ou partie de leur contenu, des
exigences du présent document. Pour les références datées, seule l’édition citée s’applique. Pour les
références non datées, la dernière édition du document de référence s’applique (y compris les éventuels
amendements).
ISO 209, Aluminium et alliages d'aluminium — Composition chimique
ISO 679:2009, Ciments — Méthodes d'essai — Détermination de la résistance mécanique
ISO 2143, Anodisation d
...
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