ASTM E2342-10
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Durability Testing of Duct Sealants
Standard Test Method for Durability Testing of Duct Sealants
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Residential duct systems are often field designed and assembled. There are many joints, often of dissimilar materials that require both mechanical connection and air sealing. Without this sealing, duct systems would be extremely leaky and hence inefficient. While some duct sealants are rated on their properties at the time of manufacture or during storage, none of these ratings adequately addresses the in-service lifetime. This test method has been developed to address this durability issue.
This standard applies to products which list duct sealing as one of their uses. This includes duct tape (cloth, metal foil, or plastic backed), mastics, and sprayed/aerosol sealants. It does not apply to caulks or plaster patches that are not intended to be permanent duct sealing methods.
The standard duct leak site is a collar to plenum connection for round duct that is 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 in.) in diameter. This perpendicular connection was chosen because almost all residential duct systems have this type of connection and in field observations of duct systems, it is often this type of connection that has sealant failure.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes an accelerated aging test for evaluating the durability of duct sealants by exposure to temperatures and static pressures characteristic of residential duct systems.
1.2 This test method is intended to produce a relative measure of the durability of duct sealants. This standard does not measure durability under specific conditions of weather and building operation that might be experienced by an individual building and duct system. Instead it evaluates the sealant method under fixed conditions that do not include the manifold effects of installation practice.
1.3 This test method only addresses sealants not mechanical strength of the connections.
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. For specific hazard statements see Section 7.
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Designation: E2342 − 10
StandardTest Method for
1
Durability Testing of Duct Sealants
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2342; 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.
INTRODUCTION
Duct leakage has been identified as a major source of energy loss in residential buildings. Most duct
leakage occurs at the connections to registers, plenums, or branches in the duct system. At each of
these connections a method of sealing the duct system is required. Typical sealing methods include
tapes or mastics applied around the joints in the system. Field examinations of duct systems have
typically shown that these seals tend to fail over extended periods of time.
The proposed method evaluates the durability of duct sealants by blowing heated air into test
sections, combined with a pressure difference between the test sections and their surroundings. The
temperatures and pressures were chosen to expose the test sections to typical conditions that are found
in residential duct systems. The duct leakage site geometry represents a leakage site commonly found
in duct systems. The test sections are constructed from standard duct fittings.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method describes an accelerated aging test for 2.1 ASTM Standards:
evaluating the durability of duct sealants by exposure to E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
temperatures and static pressures characteristic of residential
duct systems. 3. Terminology
1.2 This test method is intended to produce a relative 3.1 Terminology E631 defines much of the terminology
measure of the durability of duct sealants. This standard does used in this test method.
notmeasuredurabilityunderspecificconditionsofweatherand
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
building operation that might be experienced by an individual
3.2.1 air-leakage rate—the volume of air movement per
building and duct system. Instead it evaluates the sealant
unit time across the duct wall.
method under fixed conditions that do not include the manifold
3.2.2 duct sealant—a method or material, or both, for
effects of installation practice.
sealing leaks in forced air thermal distribution duct systems.
1.3 This test method only addresses sealants not mechanical
3.2.3 durability—the capability of maintaining the service-
strength of the connections.
ability of a product, component, or assembly over a specified
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
time.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Summary of Test Method
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.1 To evaluate sealant durability this test method uses a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
standardized joint configuration with controlled temperature
statements see Section 7.
and pressure differences. These temperatures and pressures are
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41
2
on Air Leakage and Ventilation Performance. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved March 1, 2010. Published April 2010. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E2342 – 03. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E2342-10. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2342 − 10
chosen to represent conditions found in residential duct sys- and in field observations of duct systems, it is often this type of
tems. The test apparatus applies temperature and pressure connection that has sealant failure.
conditions and measures how well the sealant performs over
time. 6. Apparatus
6.1 The following is a general description of the required
5. Significance and Use
apparatus. Any arrangement of equipment using the same
5.1 Residential duct systems are often field designed and
principles and capable of performing the test procedure within
assembled. There are many joints, often of dissimilar materials
the allowable tolerances is permitted.
that require both mechanical connection and air sealing.
6.2 Major Components—There are two major components
Without this sealing, duct systems would be extremely leaky
require
...
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.
Designation:E2342–03 Designation:E2342–10
Standard Test Method for
1
Durability Testing of Duct Sealants
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2342; 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.
INTRODUCTION
Duct leakage has been identified as a major source of energy loss in residential buildings. Most duct
leakage occurs at the connections to registers, plenums, or branches in the duct system. At each of
these connections a method of sealing the duct system is required. Typical sealing methods include
tapes or mastics applied around the joints in the system. Field examinations of duct systems have
typically shown that these seals tend to fail over extended periods of time.
The proposed method evaluates the durability of duct sealants by blowing heated air into test
sections, combined with a pressure difference between the test sections and their surroundings. The
temperatures and pressures were chosen to expose the test sections to typical conditions that are found
in residential duct systems. The duct leakage site geometry represents a leakage site commonly found
in duct systems. The test sections are constructed from standard duct fittings.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method describes an accelerated aging test for evaluating the durability of duct sealants by exposure to
temperatures and static pressures characteristic of residential duct systems.
1.2 This test method is intended to produce a relative measure of the durability of duct sealants.This standard does not measure
durabilityunderspecificconditionsofweatherandbuildingoperationthatmightbeexperiencedbyanindividualbuildingandduct
system. Instead it evaluates the sealant method under fixed conditions that do not include the manifold effects of installation
practice.
1.3 This test method only addresses sealants not mechanical strength of the connections.
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. For specific hazard statements see Section 7.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E632Practice for Developing Accelerated Tests to Aid Prediction of the Service Life of Building Components and Materials
631 Terminology of Building Constructions
3. Terminology
3.1Practice E632 defines much of the terminology used in this standard.
3.1 Terminology E631 defines much of the terminology used in this test method.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 air-leakage rate—the volume of air movement per unit time across the duct wall.
3.2.2 duct sealant—a method and/or material for sealing leaks in forced air thermal distribution duct systems. —a method or
material, or both, for sealing leaks in forced air thermal distribution duct systems.
3.2.3 durability—the capability of maintaining the serviceability of a product, component, or assembly over a specified time.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41 onAir Leakage
and Ventilation Performance.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2003. Published February 2004. DOI: 10.1520/E2342-03.
Current edition approved March 1, 2010. Published April 2010. Originally approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E2342 – 03. DOI:
10.1520/E2342-10.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
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
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2342–10
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 To evaluate sealant durability this test method uses a standardized joint configuration with controlled temperature and
pressure differences. These temperatures and pressures are chosen to represent conditions found in residential duct systems. The
test apparatus applies temperature and pressure conditions, and measures how well the sealant performs over time.
5. Signi
...
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