ASTM C679-15

Standard Test Method for Tack-Free Time of Elastomeric Sealants

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.
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 C920 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2015
• ICS: 83.060 - Rubber
• ICS: 91.100.50 - Binders. Sealing materials
• Technical Committee: C24 - Building Seals and Sealants
• Drafting Committee: C24.20 - General Test Methods

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: C679 − 15
Standard Test Method for
1
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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 4. Summary of Test Method
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for the determina- 4.1 Thetestconsistsoflightlytouchingasurfaceofacuring
tion of the tack-free time property of single- and multi- sealant with a polyethylene film at regular intervals until the
component elastomeric sealants commonly used for sealing, sealant does not attach itself to the film and the film appears
caulking, and glazing in buildings and related construction. clean when peeled from the surface.
1.2 This test method is applicable to self-leveling and 4.2 More specifically a strip of polyethylene film is placed
non-sag grades of sealant. Sealants requiring slight heating to on the surface of the curing sealant and a 30-g (1.06-oz) weight
facilitate extrusion from the cartridge or gun are also described is placed on the film. The weight is left in place for 30 s, then
by this test method. removed and the polyethylene strip is removed and examined
for sealant attachment to the film. The length of time from
NOTE 1—See Specification C920 for type and grade definitions.
when the sealant was first applied and tooled into the template
1.3 The values stated in metric units are to be regarded as
until the time the sealant is no longer picked up by the film is
the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
called tack-free time.
information purposes only.
4.3 With some sealants, interpretation of the end point is
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
confusing in that a very thin film of sealant or oil will transfer
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
to the film. For consistency of data, record the point where the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
bulksealantisnolongertransferredtotheplasticbutignorethe
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
very thin uniform film of sealant or the plasticizer transferred
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
to the plastic test strip.
NOTE 2—Currently, there is no ISO standard similar to this specifica-
5. Significance and Use
tion.
5.1 The tack-free time is a measure of the surface cure time
2. Referenced Documents
and may generally be correlated to a variety of useful param-
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
eters such as the time interval before the sealant (1) resists
C717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants damage by touch or light surface contact, (2) resists job-site or
C920 Specification for Elastomeric Joint Sealants
airborne dirt pick-up, (3) resists impinging rainfall.
5.2 The tack-free time is sometimes used as an on-the-job
3. Terminology
quality assurance test. A quality product that is consistent and
3.1 Definitions—See Terminology C717 for definitions of
reproducible will generally fall within a maximum and mini-
the following terms used in this test method: caulking,
mum tack-free time.
compound, cure, elastomeric, glazing, non-sag sealant, sealant,
5.3 This test for tack-free time can be used at any tempera-
self-leveling sealant, and standard conditions.
ture 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
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC24onBuilding
Seals and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.20 on sealant.
General Test Methods.
Current edition approved July 1, 2015. Published September 2015. Originally 6. Apparatus
ɛ1
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as C679 – 09 . DOI:
6.1 Cabinet or Room, capable of maintaining Standard
10.1520/C0679-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Conditions.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
6.2 Weight, rectangular, with dimensions of 41 by 19 mm
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
5 3
the ASTM website. (1 ⁄8 in. long by ⁄4 in. wide) and mass of 30 g (1.06 oz).
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C679 − 15
NOTE 3—The thickness of the weight should be approximately 6 mm
8.4 Relative Tack-Free T
...

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) C679 − 15
Standard Test Method for
1
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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1
ε NOTE—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 C920 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
C920 Specification for Elastomeric Joint Sealants
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—See Terminology C717 for definitions of the following terms used in this test method: caulking, compound,
cure, elastomeric, glazing, non-sag sealant, sealant, self-leveling sealant, and standard conditions.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The test consists of lightly touching a surface of a curing sealant with a polyethylene film at regular intervals until the sealant
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
placed on the film. The weight is left in place for 30 s, then removed and the polyethylene strip is removed and examined for sealant
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.
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 Jan. 1, 2009July 1, 2015. Published March 2009September 2015. Originally approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 20032009 as
ɛ1
C679 – 03.C679 – 09 . DOI: 10.1520/C0679-03R09E01.10.1520/C0679-15.
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 ----------------------
C679 − 15
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
...