ASTM C639-15

Standard Test Method for Rheological (Flow) Properties of Elastomeric Sealants

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The results obtained from this test method are simply a measure of the degree of horizontal or vertical flow of single-component or multi-component sealants when applied to a set joint configuration at two pre-determined temperatures. Only samples conditioned at the same temperature may be directly compared.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes a laboratory procedure for the determination of rheological (flow) properties of single- and multicomponent chemically curing sealants for use in building construction.  
1.2 Other suitable flow characteristics may be agreed upon between the seller and purchaser or specifier. Special nonsag properties and lower flow characteristics may be required for use in sloping joints where absolute leveling is not desired.  
Note 1: The sealants are supplied in various rheological properties ranging from pourable fluids to stiff nonsagging pastes. Multicomponent sealants are supplied as a base component with an activator or curing agent separately packaged. After mixing the multiple parts, the sealant is ready for application. Single-component sealants are supplied ready for use upon opening of the package and usually depend on the external environment for cure.  
1.3 This test method describes four types of joint sealants:  
1.3.1 Type I—Single-component flowable or self-leveling,  
1.3.2 Type II—Single-component nonsag,  
1.3.3 Type III—Multicomponent flowable or self-leveling, and  
1.3.4 Type IV—Multicomponent nonsag.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address the safety problems 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2015
• ICS: 91.100.50 - Binders. Sealing materials
• Technical Committee: C24 - Building Seals and Sealants
• Drafting Committee: C24.20 - General Test Methods

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C639-01(2011) - Standard Test Method for Rheological (Flow) Properties of Elastomeric Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Replaced By: ASTM C639-15(2020) - Standard Test Method for Rheological (Flow) Properties of Elastomeric Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Referred By: ASTM C1369-19 - Standard Specification for Secondary Edge Sealants for Structurally Glazed Insulating Glass Units
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Referred By: ASTM C1184-23 - Standard Specification for Structural Silicone Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D8138-23 - Standard Specification for Preformed Silicone Joint Sealing System for Bridges
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Referred By: ASTM C1021-08(2023) - Standard Practice for Laboratories Engaged in Testing of Building Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Referred By: ASTM C920-18 - Standard Specification for Elastomeric Joint Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D5893/D5893M-16(2021) - Standard Specification for Cold-Applied, Single-Component, Chemically Curing Silicone Joint Sealant for Portland Cement Concrete Pavements
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Referred By: ASTM C1249-18(2023) - Standard Guide for Secondary Seal for Sealed Insulating Glass Units for Structural Sealant Glazing Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: C639 − 15
Standard Test Method for
1
Rheological (Flow) Properties of Elastomeric Sealants
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C639; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method describes a laboratory procedure for 2.1 ASTM Standards:
the determination of rheological (flow) properties of single- C717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
and multicomponent chemically curing sealants for use in
3. Terminology
building construction.
3.1 Definitions—Refer to Terminology C717, Section 4.1,
1.2 Other suitable flow characteristics may be agreed upon
for definitions of the following terms used in this standard:
between the seller and purchaser or specifier. Special nonsag
chemically curing sealants, compound, elastomeric, flow
properties and lower flow characteristics may be required for
(slump), non-sag sealant (non-slump), sealant, self-leveling
use in sloping joints where absolute leveling is not desired.
sealant (flowable), standard conditions.
NOTE 1—The sealants are supplied in various rheological properties
ranging from pourable fluids to stiff nonsagging pastes. Multicomponent
4. Comparison to Other Standards
sealants are supplied as a base component with an activator or curing
4.1 ISO 7390:1987 Building Construction-Jointing
agent separately packaged. After mixing the multiple parts, the sealant is
ready for application. Single-component sealants are supplied ready for
Products-Determination of Resistance to Flow
use upon opening of the package and usually depend on the external
environment for cure.
5. Significance and Use
1.3 This test method describes four types of joint sealants:
5.1 The results obtained from this test method are simply a
1.3.1 Type I—Single-component flowable or self-leveling,
measure of the degree of horizontal or vertical flow of
1.3.2 Type II—Single-component nonsag,
single-component or multi-component sealants when applied
1.3.3 Type III—Multicomponent flowable or self-leveling,
to a set joint configuration at two pre-determined temperatures.
and
Only samples conditioned at the same temperature may be
1.3.4 Type IV—Multicomponent nonsag.
directly compared.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
6. Apparatus
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
6.1 Refrigerator, controlled at 4.4 6 2°C (40 6 3.6°F).
only.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address the safety 6.2 Oven, convention-type, controlled at 50 6 2°C (1226
problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the 3.6°F).
user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
6.3 Channel, one, stainless steel (Type 304, No. 2-B finish,
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
No. 16 gage), inside dimensions 19 mm wide, 13 mm deep,
tions prior to use.
3 1
152 mm long ( ⁄4 by ⁄2 by 6 in.), and closed at both ends (see
Fig. 1a).
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC24onBuilding
Seals and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.20 on
2
General Test Methods. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved June 1, 2015. Published August 2015. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1969. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as C639 – 01 (2011). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/C0639-15. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C639 − 15
(2-in.) extension at the bottom for 4 h.At the end of this period
remove the channels from the chambers and measure, to the
1
nearest 1.5 mm ( ⁄16 in.), the distance that the bottom edge of
sealant moves downward along the 51-mm extended back
surface. This distance is the sag of the compound.
8.2.2 Horizontal Slump—Repeat the procedure described in
8.2.1 with the following change: after filling the channels,
return them to their respective chambers, placing them in a
1
horizontal position resting on the 13-mm ( ⁄2-in.) side. At the
end of the exposure period, remove the channels from the
chambers and note any change in the configuration of the
compound in the channels.
8.3 Test for Type III Sealants—The test procedure shall be
the same as that described in 8.1 with the following exception
...

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: C639 − 01 (Reapproved 2011) C639 − 15
Standard Test Method for
1
Rheological (Flow) Properties of Elastomeric Sealants
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C639; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method describes a laboratory procedure for the determination of rheological (flow) properties of single- and
multicomponent chemically curing sealants for use in building construction.
1.2 Other suitable flow characteristics may be agreed upon between the seller and purchaser or specifier. Special nonsag
properties and lower flow characteristics may be required for use in sloping joints where absolute leveling is not desired.
NOTE 1—The sealants are supplied in various rheological properties ranging from pourable fluids to stiff nonsagging pastes. Multicomponent sealants
are supplied as a base component with an activator or curing agent separately packaged. After mixing the multiple parts, the sealant is ready for
application. Single-component sealants are supplied ready for use upon opening of the package and usually depend on the external environment for cure.
1.3 This test method describes four types of joint sealants:
1.3.1 Type I—Single-component flowable or self-leveling,
1.3.2 Type II—Single-component nonsag,
1.3.3 Type III—Multicomponent flowable or self-leveling, and
1.3.4 Type IV—Multicomponent nonsag.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address the safety problems 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Refer to Terminology C717, Section 4.1, for definitions of the following terms used in this standard:
chemically curing sealants, compound, elastomeric, flow (slump), non-sag sealant (non-slump), sealant, self-leveling sealant
(flowable). (flowable), standard conditions.
4. Comparison to Other Standards
4.1 ISO 7390:1987 Building Construction-Jointing Products-Determination of Resistance to Flow
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The results obtained from this test method are simply a measure of the degree of horizontal or vertical flow of
single-component or multi-component sealants when applied to a set joint configuration at two pre-determined temperatures. Only
samples conditioned at the same temperature may be directly compared.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C24 on Building Seals and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.20 on General
Test Methods.
Current edition approved June 1, 2011June 1, 2015. Published August 2011August 2015. Originally approved in 1969. Last previous edition approved in 20072011 as
C639 – 01 (2007).(2011). DOI: 10.1520/C0639-01R11.10.1520/C0639-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. 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 ----------------------
C639 − 15
6. Apparatus
6.1 Refrigerator, controlled at 4.4 6 2°C (40 6 3.6°F).
6.2 Oven, convention-type, controlled at 50 6 2°C (1226 3.6°F).
6.3 Channel, one, stainless steel (Type 304, No. 2-B finish, No. 16 gage), inside dimensions 19 mm wide, 13 mm deep, 152
3 1
mm long ( ⁄4 by ⁄2 by 6 in.), and closed at both ends (see Fig. 1a).
6.4 Channels, two, stainless steel (Type 304, No. 2-B finish, No. 16 gage), inside dimensions 19 mm wide, 13 mm deep, 152
3 1
mm long ( ⁄4 by ⁄2 by 6 in.) with both ends open and the back surface extended 51 mm (2 in.) (see Fig. 1b).
7. Standard Test Conditions
7.1 Unless otherwise specified, standard conditions shall be 23 6 2°Cdefined in Terminology C717(73.4 6 3.6°F) and 50 6
5 % relative humidity.
8. Procedure
...