ASTM C679-03(2009)e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Tack-Free Time of Elastomeric Sealants
Standard Test Method for Tack-Free Time of Elastomeric Sealants
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The tack-free time is a measure of the surface cure time and may generally be correlated to a variety of useful parameters such as the time interval before the sealant (1) resists damage by touch or light surface contact, (2) resists job-site or airborne dirt pick-up, (3) resists impinging rainfall.
The tack-free time is sometimes used as an on-the-job quality assurance test. A quality product that is consistent and reproducible will generally fall within a maximum and minimum tack-free time.
This test for tack-free time can be used at any temperature and humidity. It is important that if a sealant will be used in a climate quite different than the standard conditions called out in this test method, then those conditions be used to test the sealant.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for the determination of the tack-free time property of single- and multi-component elastomeric sealants commonly used for sealing, caulking, and glazing in buildings and related construction.
1.2 This test method is applicable to self-leveling and non-sag grades of sealant. Sealants requiring slight heating to facilitate extrusion from the cartridge or gun are also described by this test method.
Note 1—See Specification C 920 for type and grade definitions.
1.3 The values stated in metric units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information purposes only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 2—Currently, there is no ISO standard similar to this specification.
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´1
Designation: C679 − 03(Reapproved 2009)
Standard Test Method for
Tack-Free Time of Elastomeric Sealants
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C679; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
´ NOTE—The term “standard conditions was added to 3.1 in March 2009.
1. Scope compound, cure, elastomeric, glazing, non-sag sealant, sealant,
self-leveling sealant, and standard conditions.
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for the determina-
tion of the tack-free time property of single- and multi-
4. Summary of Test Method
component elastomeric sealants commonly used for sealing,
caulking, and glazing in buildings and related construction.
4.1 Thetestconsistsoflightlytouchingasurfaceofacuring
sealant with a polyethylene film at regular intervals until the
1.2 This test method is applicable to self-leveling and
sealant does not attach itself to the film and the film appears
non-sag grades of sealant. Sealants requiring slight heating to
clean when peeled from the surface.
facilitate extrusion from the cartridge or gun are also described
by this test method.
4.2 More specifically a strip of polyethylene film is placed
NOTE 1—See Specification C920 for type and grade definitions. on the surface of the curing sealant and a 30-g (1.06-oz) weight
is placed on the film. The weight is left in place for 30 s, then
1.3 The values stated in metric units are to be regarded as
removed and the polyethylene strip is removed and examined
the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
for sealant attachment to the film. The length of time from
information purposes only.
when the sealant was first applied and tooled into the template
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
until the time the sealant is no longer picked up by the film is
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
called tack-free time.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 4.3 With some sealants, interpretation of the end point is
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. confusing in that a very thin film of sealant or oil will transfer
to the film. For consistency of data, record the point where the
NOTE 2—Currently, there is no ISO standard similar to this specifica-
bulksealantisnolongertransferredtotheplasticbutignorethe
tion.
very thin uniform film of sealant or the plasticizer transferred
to the plastic test strip.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5. Significance and Use
C717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
C920 Specification for Elastomeric Joint Sealants
5.1 The tack-free time is a measure of the surface cure time
and may generally be correlated to a variety of useful param-
3. Terminology
eters such as the time interval before the sealant (1) resists
damage by touch or light surface contact, (2) resists job-site or
3.1 Definitions—See Terminology C717 for definitions of
airborne dirt pick-up, (3) resists impinging rainfall.
the following terms used in this test method: caulking,
5.2 The tack-free time is sometimes used as an on-the-job
quality assurance test. A quality product that is consistent and
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC24onBuilding
reproducible will generally fall within a maximum and mini-
Seals and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.20 on
General Test Methods. mum tack-free time.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2009. Published March 2009. Originally
5.3 This test for tack-free time can be used at any tempera-
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as C679 – 03. DOI:
10.1520/C0679-03R09E01.
ture and humidity. It is important that if a sealant will be used
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
in a climate quite different than the standard conditions called
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
out in this test method, then those conditions be used to test the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. sealant.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
´1
C679 − 03 (2009)
6. Apparatus 8.3 Prepare at least two specimens for each sealant as
follows: Center the template on the metal plate and carefully
6.1 Cabinet or Room, capable of maintaining a temperature
fill it with sealant avoiding air pockets. Strike off the surface
of23 62°C(73.4 63.6°F)and50 % 65 %relativehumidity.
flat using a metal straightedge, to a uniform thickness.
6.2 Weight, rectangular, with dimensions of 41 by 19 mm
5 3
8.4 Relative Tack-Free Time Unknown. If the relative tack-
(1 ⁄8 in. long by ⁄4 in. wide) and mass of 30 g (1.06 oz).
free time is unknown, the procedure is to pretest one of the test
NOTE 3—The thickness of the weight should be approximately 6 mm
specimens by lightly touching the surface of the sealant with a
( ⁄4 in.) but planed to a thickness that will provide the 30-g (1.06-oz) mass.
film of polyethylene wrapped over the end of a finger. Touch
6.3 Polyethylene Strips, several (often 6 or more), clear, low
the test piece in accordance with an appropriate time interval
density with dimensions 127 by 25 by 0.15 mm (5 by 1 by
described in 8.5. Try to touch a different place on the surface
0.006 in.).
each time. After the polyethylene wrapped finger is lightly
6.4 Timer, capable of measuring minutes and hours.
touched to the surface of the sealant, it is immediately removed
and examined to see if sealant was picked up on the polyeth-
6.5 Rectangular Plates, several (often 6 or more),
ylene film. When no sealant is picked up on the polyethylene
rectangular, approximately 152 by 76 mm (6 by 3 in.), made of
strip, perform the next test as described in 8.6.
non-porous material such as tin plated steel or aluminum.
8.5 Time Intervals—If the relative tack-free time is
6.6 Template, rectangular, of steel, brass or other suitable
unknown, the procedure is to pretest, as in 8.4, one test
material, 3.2 mm ( ⁄8 in.) thick with insid
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
´1
Designation:C679–03 (Reapproved 2009)
Designation:C679–87(Reapproved1997)
Standard Test Method for
Tack-Free Time of Elastomeric Sealants
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 679; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
´ NOTE—Keywords were added editorially in June 1997.
—The term “standard conditions was added to 3.1 in March 2009.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for the determination of the tack-free time property of single- and multi-component
elastomeric sealants commonly used for sealing, caulking, and glazing in buildings and related construction.
1.2 This test method is applicable to self-leveling and non-sag grades of sealant. Sealants requiring slight heating to facilitate
extrusion from the cartridge or gun are also described by this test method.
NOTE 1—See Specification C 920 for type and grade definitions.
1.3 The values stated in metric units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
information purposes only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
NOTE 2—Currently, there is no ISO standard similar to this specification.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C 717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
C 920 Specification for Elastomeric Joint Sealants
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—See Terminology C 717 for definitions of the following terms used in this test method: caulking, compound,
cure, elastomeric, glazing, non-sag sealant, sealant, self-leveling sealant, and self-leveling sealant. standard conditions.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Thetestconsistsoflightlytouchingasurfaceofacuringsealantwithapolyethylenefilmatregularintervalsuntilthesealant
does not attach itself to the film and the film appears clean when peeled from the surface.
4.2 More specifically a strip of polyethylene film is placed on the surface of the curing sealant and a 30-g (1.06-oz) weight is
placedonthefilm.Theweightisleftinplacefor30s,thenremovedandthepolyethylenestripisremovedandexaminedforsealant
attachment to the film. The length of time from when the sealant was first applied and tooled into the template until the time the
sealant is no longer picked up by the film is called tack-free time.
4.3 With some sealants, interpretation of the end point is confusing in that a very thin film of sealant or oil will transfer to the
film. For consistency of data, record the point where the bulk sealant is no longer transferred to the plastic but ignore the very thin
uniform film of sealant or the plasticizer transferred to the plastic test strip.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C-24 on Building Seals and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.32 on
Chemically Curing Sealants.
Current edition approved Nov. 27, 1987. Published September 1988. Originally published as C679–71. Last previous edition C679–71 (1977).
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C24 on Building Seals and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.20 on General
Test Methods.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2009. Published March 2009. Originally approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as C 679 – 03.
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 04.07.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
´1
C679–03 (2009)
C679–87 (1997)
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The tack-free time is a measure of the surface cure time and may generally be correlated to a variety of useful parameters
such as the time interval before the sealant (1) resists damage by touch or light surface contact, (2) resists job-site or airborne dirt
pick-up, (3) resists impinging rainfall.
5.2 The tack-free time is sometimes used as an on-the-job quality assurance test. A quality product that is consistent and
reproducible will generally fall within a maximum and minimum tack-free time.
5.3 This test for tack-free time can be used at any temperature and humidity. It is important that if a sealant will be used in a
climate quite different than the standard conditions called out in this test method, then those conditions be used to test the sealant.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Cabinet or Room, capable of maintaining a temperature of 23 6 2°C (73.4 6 3.6°F) and 50 % 6 5 % relative humidity.
5 3
6.2 Weight, rectangular, with dimensions of 41 by 19 mm (1 ⁄8 in. long by ⁄4 in. wide) and mass of 30 g (1.06 oz).
NOTE2—The 3—Thethicknessoftheweightshouldbeapproximately6mm( ⁄4in.)butplanedtoathicknessthatwillprovidethe30-g(1.06-oz)mass.
6.3 Polyethylene Strips, several (often 6 or more), clear, low density with dimensions 127 by 25 by 0.15 mm (5 by 1 by 0.006
in.).
6.4 Timer, capable of measuring minutes and hours.
6.5 Rectangular Plates, several (often 6 or more), rectangular, approximately 152 by 76 mm (6 by 3 in.), made of non-porous
material such as tin plated steel or aluminum.
6.6 Template, rectangular, of steel, brass or other suitable material, 3.2 mm ( ⁄8 in.) thick with inside dimensions 95 by 25.4 mm
3 3
(3 ⁄4 by 1 in.); outside dimensions approximately 120 by 31 mm (5 ⁄4 by 2 in.).
7. Sampling
7.1 The test sample shall consist of a factory-sealed can of compound (minimum contents, 450 mLor 1 pt) with an appropriate
curing agent where applicable, or a standard cartridge, factory filled and sealed.
8. Procedure (see Fig. 1)
8.1 Thoroughly clean the templates and rectangular plates with methyl ethyl ketone, xylene, or similar solvent. Note3—
(Warning:Warning—Methyl ethyl ketone, xylene, and similar solvents are both toxic and flammable and should be handled with
caution in a well ventilated hood.)
8.2 Condition the sample of sealant in the original closed container for 24 h at 23 6 2°C (73
...
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