ASTM C1115-17(2022)

Standard Specification for Dense Elastomeric Silicone Rubber Gaskets and Accessories

ABSTRACT
This standard specification describes products composed of dense elastomeric silicone rubber gaskets and accessories for use in sealing and glazing applications in building constructions. The products are classified according to type, hardness, class, and surface. Types include tear resistant and compression set resistant products. Surface of the product shall be smooth, clean, free from foreign matter, and shall not allow adhesion of sealants. Silicone rubber shall be manufactured from virgin polymer and shall be free from visible internal porosity, surface defects, and dimensional irregularities. The compound color shall be black unless specified otherwise. Test methods for the product shall include low temperature flexibility, hardness, compression, tensile strength, ultimate elongation, heat aging, ozone resistance, tear strength, flame propagation, specific gravity, staining, and color tests.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
8.1 This specification describes types (based on resistance to tearing and compression set), grades (based on durometer hardness), class (based on flame propagation requirements), and surfaces (based on surface characteristics) of products as listed in Section 4 for various applications. It is essential, therefore, that the applicable type, grade, class, and surface be specified, as well as other options stated, so that the proper product is provided for the intended use.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification describes products composed of dense elastomeric silicone rubber that are fabricated into gaskets and accessories (such as setting blocks, spacers, and shims) for use in sealing and glazing applications in building construction. These products are used to seal or serve as components of compression sealing systems between mechanically restrained surfaces in building construction and also as components in structural silicone sealant glazing systems.  
1.2 The following precautionary statement pertains only to the test method portion, Section 10, of this specification. 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.3 Test Method C1166, as referenced in this specification, should be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment that takes into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 The committee with jurisdiction over this standard is not aware of any comparable standards published by other organizations.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2021
• ICS: 83.140.50 - Seals
• Technical Committee: C24 - Building Seals and Sealants
• Drafting Committee: C24.73 - Compression Seal and Lock Strip Gaskets

Relations

• Refers: ASTM C717-19 - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2019
• Refers: ASTM C717-18 - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Refers: ASTM C717-17a - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2017
• Refers: ASTM C717-17 - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2017
• Refers: ASTM C717-16a - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2016
• Refers: ASTM C717-16 - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2016
• Refers: ASTM C717-14a - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM C717-14 - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2014
• Refers: ASTM C717-13 - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM C717-12b - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2012
• Refers: ASTM C717-12a - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-May-2012
• Refers: ASTM C717-12 - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2012
• Refers: ASTM C1087-00(2011) - Standard Test Method for Determining Compatibility of Liquid-Applied Sealants with Accessories Used in Structural Glazing Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Refers: ASTM C1166-06(2011) - Standard Test Method for Flame Propagation of Dense and Cellular Elastomeric Gaskets and Accessories
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Refers: ASTM C717-11a - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2011

Overview

ASTM C1115-17(2022), Standard Specification for Dense Elastomeric Silicone Rubber Gaskets and Accessories, provides comprehensive requirements for products made from dense elastomeric silicone rubber. These components are primarily intended for use in sealing and glazing applications within building construction, including gaskets, setting blocks, spacers, and shims. The standard specifies material quality, classification, performance requirements, and testing methods to ensure reliable and consistent performance in building envelopes and structural glazing systems.

Key Topics

• Product Classification:
  Products are classified by:

  • Type: Tear resistant (Type T) and compression set resistant (Type C)
  • Hardness: Various grades based on durometer hardness, typically measured on a Type A scale
  • Class: Based on flame propagation resistance (Class F indicates resistance is required)
  • Surface Condition: Ranges from smooth and non-adhesive to sealants, to surfaces designed to promote adhesive bonding

• Material Quality Requirements:

  • Must use virgin silicone polymer, free of visible internal porosity, surface defects, and dimensional irregularities
  • Standard color is black, except when otherwise specified
  • Surfaces must be smooth, clean, and free from contaminants

• Testing and Performance:
  The standard outlines rigorous test methods and performance criteria, covering:

  • Low Temperature Flexibility
  • Durometer Hardness
  • Compression Set Resistance
  • Tensile Strength and Ultimate Elongation
  • Heat Aging and Ozone Resistance
  • Tear Strength
  • Flame Propagation
  • Specific Gravity
  • Staining and Color
  • Testing follows referenced ASTM methods to ensure uniformity and reliability

• Packaging, Marking, and Traceability:

  • Finished products must be properly packed, labeled, and, if required, marked with the manufacturer and order details
  • Packaging must protect components from damage during shipping and storage

Applications

Products conforming to ASTM C1115 are essential in a variety of building construction sealing and glazing scenarios, including:

• Compression Sealing Systems:
  Used between mechanically restrained surfaces for airtight and watertight performance in building facades and window assemblies

• Structural Silicone Sealant Glazing:
  Serve as critical accessories-such as edge spacers and setting blocks-contributing to the structural integrity and weather resistance of curtain walls and glass assemblies

• Preformed Gasket Solutions:
  Ideal for pre-manufactured, ready-to-install seals in both new construction and retrofit projects, ensuring consistent material quality and performance

• Accessories (Spacers, Shims, Setting Blocks):
  Designed to support, cushion, or separate materials, these accessories help maintain dimensional tolerances and prevent glass-to-metal contact

Related Standards

Several referenced standards provide test methods and terminology used within ASTM C1115:

• ASTM C717: Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• ASTM C1087: Compatibility testing for sealants with glazing accessories
• ASTM C1166: Test Method for Flame Propagation of Dense and Cellular Elastomeric Gaskets and Accessories
• ASTM D395, D412, D573, D624, D792, D925, D1149, D2137, D2240, D3182: Various test methods covering compression set, tensile properties, heat aging, tear strength, specific gravity, staining, ozone resistance, brittleness, and hardness
• RMA Handbook: Reference for rubber manufacturing standards

Practical Value

Compliance with ASTM C1115-17(2022) ensures that dense elastomeric silicone rubber gaskets and accessories meet stringent material and performance requirements. This is crucial for architects, contractors, and manufacturers seeking durable, reliable sealing solutions in demanding construction environments. Adhering to this standard helps improve building performance, energy efficiency, safety, and longevity of structural glazing and sealing applications while supporting international best practices and regulatory compliance in the industry.

Keywords: dense silicone gasket, elastomeric rubber seal, building construction glazing, ASTM C1115, sealing accessories, compression seal, structural glazing, tear resistant silicone, flame propagation resistant gasket.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:C1115 −17 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Specification for
Dense Elastomeric Silicone Rubber Gaskets and
Accessories
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1115; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.1 Thisspecificationdescribesproductscomposedofdense
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
elastomeric silicone rubber that are fabricated into gaskets and
accessories (such as setting blocks, spacers, and shims) for use
2. Referenced Documents
in sealing and glazing applications in building construction.
These products are used to seal or serve as components of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
compression sealing systems between mechanically restrained C717Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
surfaces in building construction and also as components in
C1087 Test Method for Determining Compatibility of
structural silicone sealant glazing systems. Liquid-Applied Sealants with Accessories Used in Struc-
tural Glazing Systems
1.2 The following precautionary statement pertains only to
C1166Test Method for Flame Propagation of Dense and
the test method portion, Section 10, of this specification. This
Cellular Elastomeric Gaskets and Accessories
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
D395Test Methods for Rubber Property—Compression Set
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
D412TestMethodsforVulcanizedRubberandThermoplas-
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
tic Elastomers—Tension
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
D573Test Method for Rubber—Deterioration in an Air
regulatory limitations prior to use.
Oven
1.3 Test Method C1166, as referenced in this specification,
D624Test Method for Tear Strength of Conventional Vul-
should be used to measure and describe the properties of
canized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers
materials,products,orassembliesinresponsetoheatandflame
D792Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be used
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials,
D925Test Methods for Rubber Property—Staining of Sur-
products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However,
faces (Contact, Migration, and Diffusion)
results of this test may be used as elements of a fire risk
D1149TestMethodsforRubberDeterioration—Crackingin
assessment that takes into account all of the factors which are
an Ozone Controlled Environment
pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end
D1566Terminology Relating to Rubber
use.
D2137TestMethodsforRubberProperty—BrittlenessPoint
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
of Flexible Polymers and Coated Fabrics
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
D2240Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer Hard-
providedforinformationonlyandarenotconsideredstandard.
ness
1.5 Thecommitteewithjurisdictionoverthisstandardisnot D3182PracticeforRubber—Materials,Equipment,andPro-
aware of any comparable standards published by other orga-
cedures for Mixing Standard Compounds and Preparing
nizations. Standard Vulcanized Sheets
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
2.2 Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) Standard:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Rubber Handbook, Fourth Ed., December 1984
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C24 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
BuildingSealsandSealantsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeC24.73 contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
on Compression Seal and Lock Strip Gaskets. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2022. Published January 2022. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as C1115–17. DOI: Available from Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), 1400 K St., NW,
10.1520/C1115-17R22. Suite 900, Washington, DC 20005, http://www.rma.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C1115−17 (2022)
2.3 Other Documents: resistance, and 30 to 85 durometer hardness. This type is
Uniform Freight Classification Rules applicable where finished products are used as compression
National Motor Freight Classification Rules gaskets, or where low compression set is required due to
conditions of exposure or usage; and as settingblocks, spacers,
3. Terminology
shims, or other accessories in glazing and sealing systems.
3.1 Refer to Terminology C717 for definitions of the fol-
4.3 Hardness—Eachtypedescribedin4.2issubdividedinto
lowing terms used in this specification: compound, compres-
various hardnesses, based on nominal durometer hardness as
sion gasket, edge spacer, elastomer, elastomeric, expansion
shown in Table 1 and Table 2. For example, Grade H3 is 30
gasket, gasket, hardness, seal, setting block, shim spacer, and
durometer.
spacer.
4.4 Class:
3.2 Refer to Terminology D1566 for definitions of the
4.4.1 Flamepropagationcharacteristicsofthefinishedprod-
following terms used in this specification: compression set,
ucts can be varied depending on the degree of exposure,
ultimate elongation, tear strength, tensile strength, and poly-
expected usage, and intended durability desired. Products
mer.
described by this specification shall be classified as to flame
propagation as follows:
4. Classification
4.4.1.1 Class F—Resistance to flame propagation is re-
4.1 The products described by this specification are classi-
quired.
fied by type, hardness, class, and surface.
4.4.1.2 When no flame propagation resistance is required,
4.2 Type:
no class designation should be used.
4.2.1 Type T, Tear Resistant—Ingeneraltheseproductshave
4.5 Surface:
a higher level of tear resistance, midrange heat aging
4.5.1 Considerationofproductsurfacerequirementsmaybe
characteristics, midrange compression set resistance, and 30 to
necessary. During the production of these products the use of
70 durometer hardness. This type is applicable where finished
various lubricants, release agents, dusting agents, and other
products are intended to bridge or to cover a space (for
solutions may be required. It may be necessary after vulcani-
example, expansion joint gaskets), or where high tear strength
zation to remove these materials from the surfaces of the
is required due to conditions of exposure or usage.
product because of appearance, fabrication, or usage require-
4.2.2 Type C, Compression Set Resistant—In general, these
ments. All products do not require removal of those materials
products have a lower level of tear resistance, above midrange
or removal to the same degree of cleanliness.
heat aging characteristics, a high level of compression set
4.5.2 Products may also be required to develop adhesion or
to not develop adhesion to sealants with which they are in
Available from Western Railroad Assn, Department of Services and Supply,
contact.
Room 1150, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606-5945.
4.5.3 Products described by this specification shall be clas-
Available from National Motor FreightAssn, 2200 Mill Road,Alexandria, VA
sified as to surface condition as follows:
22314.
TABLE 1 Requirements for Dense Elastomeric Silicone Rubber Gaskets and Accessories, Type T—Tear Resistant
Hardness
Property Test Method
AAAAA
Low temperature flexibility D2137
Hardness, Type A durometer, ±5 30 40 50 60 70 D2240
points
Compression set, max % 30 30 30 30 30 D395
Tensile strength, min, MPa (psi) 7 (1015) 8 (1160) 8 (1160) 8 (1160) 7 (1015) D412
Ultimate elongation, min % 500 500 500 400 200 D412
Heat aging D573
Hardness change, max durometer ±10 ±10 ±10 ±10 ±10
points
Tensile strength change, max % ±20 ±20 ±20 ±20 ±20
Ultimate elongation change, max % ±30 ±30 ±30 ±30 ±30
BBBBB
Ozone resistance D1149
(Specimen A)
Tear Strength, min, kN/m (ppi) 25 (143) 25 (143) 26 (149) 26 (149) 25 (143) D624
C
Flame propagation , mm (in.) 100 (4) 100 (4) 100 (4) 100 (4) 100 (4) C1166
DDDDD
Specific gravity D792
EEEEE
Staining D925
FFFFFG
Color
A
No failure.
B
No cracks at 7× magnification.
C
If Class F-Resistance to flame propagation is required.
D
Within ±0.05 of qualified compound.
E
As specified by purchaser (see 10.11).
F
As specified by purchaser.
G
See 10.12.
C1115−17 (2022)
TABLE 2 Requirements for Dense Elastomeric Silicone Rubber Gaskets and Accessories, Type C—Compression Set Resistant
Hardness
Property Test Method
AAAAAAA
Low temperature flexibility D2137
Hardness, Type A durometer, ±5 30 40 50 60 70 80 85 D2240
points
Compression set, max % 15 15 15 15 15 20 25 D395
Tensile strength, min, MPa (psi) 5 (725) 5 (725) 5 (725) 5 (725) 5 (725) 5 (725) 5 (725) D412
Ultimate elongation, min, % 350 300 250 200 125 100 60 D412
Heat aging D573
Hardness change, max, durometer ±05 ±05 ±05 ±05 ±05 ±05 ±05
points
Tensile strength change, max, % ±15 ±15 ±15 ±15 ±15 ±15 ±15
Ultimate elongation change, ±30 ±30 ±30 ±30 ±30 ±30 ±30
max, %
BBBBBBB
Ozone resistance D1149
(Speci-
men A)
Tear strength, min, kN/m (ppi) 9 (51) 9 (51) 9 (51) 9 (51) 9 (51) 9 (51) 7 (40) D624
C
Flame propagation , mm (in.) 100 (4) 100 (4) 100 (4) 100 (4) 100 (4) 100 (4) 100 (4) C1166
DDDDDDD
Specific gravity D792
EEEEEEE
Staining D925
FFFFFFFG
Color
A
No failure.
B
No c
...