ASTM C794-15

Standard Test Method for Adhesion-in-Peel of Elastomeric Joint Sealants

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 There are differences in opinion among those concerned with sealant technology whether or not this adhesion-in-peel test simulates the type of strain and e-tensile stresses encountered by a sealant in normal use. Nevertheless, this test provides a valuable measurement of the ability of the cured sealant to maintain a bond to the substrate under severe peel conditions.  
5.2 Many sealant manufacturers utilize the adhesion-in-peel test for determining the adhesive characteristics of sealant/primer combinations with unusual or proprietary substrates. This test is especially useful for quality measurements comparing batches of the same sealant relative to adhesion or for studying adhesion of a given sealant to a variety of substrates.  
5.3 This test method alone is not appropriate for comparing the overall performance of different sealants in a given application. The adhesive force that determines if a given sealant is useful in a given application also depends on the modulus of elasticity and the degree to which the sealant will be strained. This test, as it exists, does not consider the modulus of elasticity, nor amount of stress that will be produced by a given strain in an actual sealant in a moving joint. No known correlations are given to relate and apply modulus values to the peel values.  
5.4 This test requires that the results indicate whether the failure mode is primarily adhesive or cohesive. It is important to note that a cohesive failure is not necessarily better than an adhesive failure, if the adhesive value is sufficient for the application. Having adhesive failure allows one to study the change of adhesion with time and with the various stress conditions.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a laboratory procedure for determining the strength and characteristics of the peel properties of a cured-in-place elastomeric joint sealant, single- or multicomponent, for use in building construction.  
1.2 The values stated in metric (SI) units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information only.  
1.3 The committee with jurisdiction over this standard is not aware of any comparable standards published by other organizations.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2015
• ICS: 83.060 - Rubber
• ICS: 91.100.50 - Binders. Sealing materials
• Technical Committee: C24 - Building Seals and Sealants
• Drafting Committee: C24.30 - Adhesion

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C794-10 - Standard Test Method for Adhesion-in-Peel of Elastomeric Joint Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Replaced By: ASTM C794-15a - Standard Test Method for Adhesion-in-Peel of Elastomeric Joint Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Referred By: ASTM C1021-08(2023) - Standard Practice for Laboratories Engaged in Testing of Building Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Referred By: ASTM C1481-12(2017) - Standard Guide for Use of Joint Sealants with Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS)
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Referred By: ASTM C1401-23 - Standard Guide for Structural Sealant Glazing
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E2813-18 - Standard Practice for Building Enclosure Commissioning
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Referred By: ASTM C1472-16(2022) - Standard Guide for Calculating Movement and Other Effects When Establishing Sealant Joint Width
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Referred By: ASTM C1521-19(2020) - Standard Practice for Evaluating Adhesion of Installed Weatherproofing Sealant Joints
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Referred By: ASTM C1193-16(2023) - Standard Guide for Use of Joint Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-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-Mar-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E3223/E3223M-20 - Standard Guide for Specifying and Testing Field-Constructed Exterior Building Wall System Mockups in New Construction
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E1399/E1399M-97(2022) - Standard Test Method for Cyclic Movement and Measuring the Minimum and Maximum Joint Widths of Architectural Joint Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Referred By: ASTM C1564-20 - Standard Guide for Use of Silicone Sealants for Protective Glazing Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Referred By: ASTM C920-18 - Standard Specification for Elastomeric Joint Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Referred By: ASTM C1184-23 - Standard Specification for Structural Silicone Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-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: C794 − 15
StandardTest Method for
1
Adhesion-in-Peel of Elastomeric Joint Sealants
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C794; 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 4. Summary of Test Method
1.1 This test method covers a laboratory procedure for
4.1 This test method consists of preparing test specimens by
determining the strength and characteristics of the peel prop- embedding a wire mesh screen between two thin layers of the
erties of a cured-in-place elastomeric joint sealant, single- or
sealant being tested, on test substrates, curing these specimens
multicomponent, for use in building construction. under specified time and conditions, then placing the specimen
in a tension-testing machine in such a way that the embedded
1.2 The values stated in metric (SI) units are to be regarded
wire mesh screen is peeled back from the substrate at 180°,
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided
while measuring the force exerted as well as the mode of
for information only.
failure of the sealant from the substrate.
1.3 Thecommitteewithjurisdictionoverthisstandardisnot
aware of any comparable standards published by other orga-
5. Significance and Use
nizations.
5.1 There are differences in opinion among those concerned
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
with sealant technology whether or not this adhesion-in-peel
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
test simulates the type of strain and e-tensile stresses encoun-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
tered by a sealant in normal use. Nevertheless, this test
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
provides a valuable measurement of the ability of the cured
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
sealant to maintain a bond to the substrate under severe peel
conditions.
2. Referenced Documents
5.2 Many sealant manufacturers utilize the adhesion-in-peel
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
test for determining the adhesive characteristics of sealant/
C717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
primer combinations with unusual or proprietary substrates.
C1375 Guide for Substrates Used in Testing Building Seals
This test is especially useful for quality measurements com-
and Sealants
paring batches of the same sealant relative to adhesion or for
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
studying adhesion of a given sealant to a variety of substrates.
ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to 5.3 This test method alone is not appropriate for comparing
Determine the Precision of a Test Method the overall performance of different sealants in a given appli-
cation. The adhesive force that determines if a given sealant is
3. Terminology
useful in a given application also depends on the modulus of
elasticity and the degree to which the sealant will be strained.
3.1 The definitions given in Terminology C717 on terms
This test, as it exists, does not consider the modulus of
relating to building seals and sealants are applicable to this test
elasticity, nor amount of stress that will be produced by a given
method.
strain in an actual sealant in a moving joint. No known
correlationsaregiventorelateandapplymodulusvaluestothe
peel values.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC24onBuilding
Seals and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.30 on
5.4 This test requires that the results indicate whether the
Adhesion.
failure mode is primarily adhesive or cohesive. It is important
Current edition approved March 1, 2015. Published April 2015. Originally
to note that a cohesive failure is not necessarily better than an
approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as C794 – 10. DOI:
10.1520/C0794-15.
adhesive failure, if the adhesive value is sufficient for the
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
application. Having adhesive failure allows one to study the
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
change of adhesion with time and with the various stress
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. conditions.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C794 − 15
6. Apparatus and Materials
6.1 Tensile Test
...

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: C794 − 10 C794 − 15
Standard Test Method for
1
Adhesion-in-Peel of Elastomeric Joint Sealants
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C794; 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 covers a laboratory procedure for determining the strength and characteristics of the peel properties of a
cured-in-place elastomeric joint sealant, single- or multicomponent, for use in building construction.
1.2 The values stated in metric (SI) units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
information only.
1.3 The committee with jurisdiction over this standard is not aware of any comparable standards published by other
organizations.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
C1375 Guide for Substrates Used in Testing Building Seals and Sealants
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Terminology
3.1 The definitions given in Terminology C717 on terms relating to building seals and sealants are applicable to this test method.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This test method consists of preparing test specimens by embedding a wire mesh screen between two thin layers of the
sealant being tested, on test substrates, curing these specimens under specified time and conditions, then placing the specimen in
a tension-testing machine in such a way that the embedded wire mesh screen is peeled back from the substrate at 180°, while
measuring the force exerted as well as the mode of failure of the sealant from the substrate.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 There are differences in opinion among those concerned with sealant technology whether or not this adhesion-in-peel test
simulates the type of strain and e-tensile stresses encountered by a sealant in normal use. Nevertheless, this test provides a valuable
measurement of the ability of the cured sealant to maintain a bond to the substrate under severe peel conditions.
5.2 Many sealant manufacturers utilize the adhesion-in-peel test for determining the adhesive characteristics of sealant/primer
combinations with unusual or proprietary substrates. This test is especially useful for quality measurements comparing batches of
the same sealant relative to adhesion or for studying adhesion of a given sealant to a variety of substrates.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C24 on Building Seals and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.30 on Adhesion.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2010March 1, 2015. Published October 2010April 2015. Originally approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 20062010 as
C794 – 06.C794 – 10. DOI: 10.1520/C0794-10.10.1520/C0794-15.
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 ----------------------
C794 − 15
5.3 This test method alone is not appropriate for comparing the overall performance of different sealants in a given application.
The adhesive force that determines if a given sealant is useful in a given application also depends on the modulus of elasticity and
the degree to which the sealant will be strained. This test, as it exists, does not consider the modulus of elasticity, nor amount of
stress that will be produced by a given strain in an actual sealant in a moving joint. No known correlations are given to relate and
apply modulus values to the peel values.
5.4 This test requires that the results indicate whether the fail
...