ASTM E2342/E2342M-10(2020)

Standard Test Method for Durability Testing of Duct Sealants

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 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.  
5.2 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.  
5.3 The standard duct leak site is a collar to plenum connection for round duct that is 10 cm to 20 cm [4 in. 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 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.  
1.5 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. For specific hazard statements see Section 7.  
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-Aug-2020
• ICS: 21.140 - Seals, glands
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.41 - Air Leakage and Ventilation Performance

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E2342/E2342M-10(2015)e1 - Standard Test Method for Durability Testing of Duct Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2020
• Refers: ASTM E631-15 - Standard Terminology of Building Constructions
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Refers: ASTM E631-14 - Standard Terminology of Building Constructions
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2014
• Refers: ASTM E631-06 - Standard Terminology of Building Constructions
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2006
• Refers: ASTM E631-93a(1998)e1 - Standard Terminology of Building Constructions
• Effective Date: 28-Jul-2000

Overview

ASTM E2342/E2342M-10(2020) - Standard Test Method for Durability Testing of Duct Sealants provides a uniform methodology for evaluating the long-term durability of duct sealants in residential HVAC duct systems. Developed by ASTM, this international standard addresses the need for reliable sealants that maintain air-tightness at duct joints over extended service periods. Residential duct systems often face energy loss due to leakage at connections, making this standard especially relevant to improving ductwork energy efficiency.

This test method focuses on subjecting duct sealants to accelerated aging under controlled temperature and pressure conditions that simulate typical residential HVAC environments. The standard covers key sealant types such as duct tapes (cloth, metal foil, or plastic backed), mastics, and sprayed/aerosol sealants, but explicitly excludes caulks and non-permanent patches.

Key Topics

• Durability Assessment: The standard defines procedures for measuring the durability of duct sealants by exposing them to elevated temperatures and static pressures characteristic of real-world duct systems.
• Standardized Joint Configuration: Testing centers on the collar-to-plenum joint, the most common site of sealant failure in the field, using round ducts of 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 in.) in diameter.
• Accelerated Aging: Sealants are tested over time in an apparatus that circulates heated air and maintains a specified pressure difference, closely reflecting in-service conditions.
• Leakage Measurement: Air leakage rates are measured before and after sealant application and monitored throughout the test to determine performance degradation or catastrophic failure.
• Safety and Reporting: The standard specifies appropriate laboratory safety practices and comprehensive reporting requirements, including time to failure and leakage data.

Applications

ASTM E2342/E2342M-10(2020) has practical applications across the HVAC and building construction industries, particularly for:

• Sealant Manufacturers: Provides a benchmark for developing and validating new duct sealant products, ensuring they meet durability expectations in real-world settings.
• Quality Assurance: Construction professionals and HVAC contractors can reference this standard to select products with proven durability, thus reducing maintenance costs and improving energy efficiency.
• Research and Development: Laboratories and institutions can use this method to compare performance across different duct sealants, supporting product innovation.
• Regulatory Compliance: Helps building code authorities and energy efficiency programs specify minimum requirements for duct sealing, aiding in the enforcement of energy standards for buildings.

Related Standards

• ASTM E631 - Terminology of Building Constructions: Provides definitions used throughout ASTM E2342/E2342M-10(2020).
• ASHRAE Standards - Address energy efficiency and air leakage in building systems, often used in conjunction with ASTM methods.
• Other ASTM Duct Sealant Standards: While ASTM E2342/E2342M focuses on durability, related standards may address sealant application methods or initial air leakage performance.

Keywords

Accelerated aging, duct leakage, HVAC, duct sealant durability, energy efficiency, ASTM E2342, residential duct systems, air sealing.

---

By following ASTM E2342/E2342M-10(2020), stakeholders can ensure duct sealants are evaluated under realistic and repeatable conditions, leading to more reliable, energy-efficient residential HVAC systems.

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: E2342/E2342M − 10 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Method for
Durability Testing of Duct Sealants
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationE2342/E2342M;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyear
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 priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This test method describes an accelerated aging test for
For specific hazard statements see Section 7.
evaluating the durability of duct sealants by exposure to
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
temperatures and static pressures characteristic of residential
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
duct systems.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.2 This test method is intended to produce a relative
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
measure of the durability of duct sealants. This standard does
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
notmeasuredurabilityunderspecificconditionsofweatherand
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
building operation that might be experienced by an individual
building and duct system. Instead it evaluates the sealant
2. Referenced Documents
method under fixed conditions that do not include the manifold
2.1 ASTM Standards:
effects of installation practice.
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
1.3 This test method only addresses sealants not mechanical
3. Terminology
strength of the connections.
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units 3.1 Terminology E631 defines much of the terminology
used in this test method.
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
3.2.1 air-leakage rate—the volume of air movement per
used independently of the other, and values from the two
unit time across the duct wall.
systems shall not be combined.
3.2.2 duct sealant—a method or material, or both, for
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
sealing leaks in forced air thermal distribution duct systems.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.3 durability—the capability of maintaining the service-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ability of a product, component, or assembly over a specified
time.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41
on Air Leakage and Ventilation Performance. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2020. Published September 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E2342/E2342M – 10 Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
ɛ1
(2015) . DOI: 10.1520/E2342_E2342M-10R20. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2342/E2342M − 10 (2020)
4. Summary of Test Method almost all residential duct systems have this type of connection
and in field observations of duct systems, it is often this type of
4.1 To evaluate sealant durability this test method uses a
connection that has sealant failure.
standardized joint configuration with controlled temperature
and pressure differences. These temperatures and pressures are
6. Apparatus
chosen to represent conditions found in residential duct sys-
tems. The test apparatus applies temperature and pressure
6.1 The following is a general description of the required
conditions and measures how well the sealant performs over
apparatus. Any arrangement of equipment using the same
time.
principles and capable of performing the test procedure within
the allowable tolerances is permitted.
5. Significance and Use
6.2 Major Components—There are two major components
5.1 Residential duct systems are often field designed and
required to perform the testing: a test section leakage measure-
assembled. There are many joints, often of dissimilar materials
ment device (Fig. 1) and a durability test apparatus (Fig. 2).
that require both mechanical connection and air sealing.
6.2.1 Test Section Leakage Measuring Device—Adevice for
Without this sealing, duct systems would be extremely leaky
measuring the leakage of individual test sections. This device
and hence inefficient. While some duct sealants are rated on
shall consist of a fan to blow air into the test section, a flow
their properties at the time of manufacture or during storage,
measurement device for measuring the flow rate in the test
none of these ratings adequately addresses the in-service
section, a pressure measuring device for measuring the pres-
lifetime. This test method has been developed to address this
sure difference between the inside and outside of the test
durability issue.
section, and a cap to seal the end of the test section. See Fig.
5.2 This standard applies to products which list duct sealing
2. For these test section leakage measurements, the air flow
as one of their uses. This includes duct tape (cloth, metal foil,
measuring device shall have an accuracy of 60.085 m /h
or plastic backed), mastics, and sprayed/aerosol sealants. It
[0.05 cfm] or 61 % of the measured flow, whichever is greater.
does not apply to caulks or plaster patches that are not intended
6.2.2 Durability Test Apparatus—A device for blowing hot
to be permanent duct sealing methods.
air through one or more test sections. This device is comprised
of the following components.
5.3 The standard duct leak site is a collar to plenum
connection for round duct that is 10 cm to 20 cm [4 in. to 8 in.] 6.2.2.1 Air-Moving Equipment—A fan that is capable of
indiameter.Thisperpendicularconnectionwaschosenbecause moving air through the test sections. The fan must be selected
FIG. 1 Schematic of Durability Apparatus
E2342/E2342M − 10 (2020)
FIG. 2 Schematic of Apparatus for Measuring Leakage of Test Sections
to provide the required flow rates and pressure differences. In Adequate protection must be provided in the form of ventila-
addition, the fan must be selected to be capable of operating at tion of the test space or other appropriate means.
the hot conditions existing in the test apparatus.
6.2.2.2 Pressure-Measuring Devices—Manometers or pres-
8. Procedure
sure indicators to measure pressure difference with an accuracy
8.1 Construct test sections of the plenum to collar joint type
of 60.2 Pa [0.0008 in. of water] or 61 % of the measured
shown in Fig. 3. The test sections shall use ducts of 100 mm to
pressure, whichever is greater.
200 mm [4 in. to 8 in.] diameter round sheet metal. The sheet
6.2.2.3 Temperature-Measuring Devices—Instruments to
metal sections shall be mechanically connected using sheet
measure temperature with an accuracy of 61 °C [2 °F]. The
metal screws.
test section surface temperatures shall be measured using
8.2 The test sections shall be tested for their air leakage
surface mount temperature sensors with heat transfer paste
before and after they are sealed.The temperature of air flowing
between the sensor and the test section.
through the test section and flowmeter shall be measured and
6.3 Test Section—Sheet metal duct system components
the leakage tests for the test sections shall be performed with
combined to create a plenum to collar connection. The test
the temperature of air flowing through the test section and air
section consists of a flange and a collar with fingers to fold in
flowmeter between 15 °C and 25 °C [59 °F and 77 °F]. All
and out of the hole in the flange. The gap between the flan
...