ASTM C603-14(2019)

Standard Test Method for Extrusion Rate and Application Life of Elastomeric Sealants

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The results obtained by this test method are simply a measure of the time required to extrude a known volume of sealant through a known orifice under a predetermined pressure.  
4.2 This test method is not considered a measure of cure rate.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers two laboratory procedures for determining the extrusion rate and application life (or “pot life”) of elastomeric chemically curing sealants for use in building construction.  
Note 1: These sealants are supplied with various rheological properties ranging from pourable liquids to nonsagging pastes. Single-component sealants are supplied ready for use upon opening the container, and their rate of cure is determined by the climatic conditions to which they are exposed. Multicomponent sealants are supplied as a base component and a curing agent separately packaged. After mixing the two parts, the sealant is ready for application, and curing begins immediately.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information only.  
1.3 There is no known ISO equivalent to this test method.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 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-Dec-2018
• 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

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C603-14 - Standard Test Method for Extrusion Rate and Application Life of Elastomeric Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Refers: ASTM C717-19 - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2019
• Refers: ASTM C717-18 - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Refers: ASTM C717-17a - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2017
• Refers: ASTM C717-17 - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2017
• Refers: ASTM C717-16a - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2016
• Refers: ASTM C717-16 - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2016
• Refers: ASTM C717-14a - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM C717-14 - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2014
• Refers: ASTM C717-13 - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM C717-12b - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2012
• Refers: ASTM C717-12a - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-May-2012
• Refers: ASTM C717-12 - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2012
• Refers: ASTM C717-11a - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2011
• Refers: ASTM C717-11 - Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2011

Overview

ASTM C603-14(2019): Standard Test Method for Extrusion Rate and Application Life of Elastomeric Sealants provides key laboratory procedures for evaluating the extrusion rate and application life (often called “pot life”) of elastomeric chemically curing sealants used in building construction. The standard guides quality assurance and consistency for manufacturers, specifiers, and contractors by detailing objective, repeatable methods for testing how sealants flow and how long they can be used after preparation.

This standard is recognized by industry experts and adopted by agencies such as the U.S. Department of Defense.

Key Topics

• Extrusion Rate:

  • Measures the time required to extrude a specific volume of sealant through a defined orifice under fixed pressure.
  • Applies to both single-component and multi-component elastomeric sealants.
  • Result reflects flow characteristics but not curing speed.

• Application Life (Pot Life):

  • Defines the usable period after mixing for multicomponent sealants before initial curing impedes application.
  • Critical for evaluating product workability on job sites.

• Sealant Types:

  • Single-component sealants: Ready-to-use, cure initiated by ambient conditions.
  • Multicomponent sealants: Require manual mixing of base and curing agent, with work life starting upon mix.

• Safety and Compliance:

  • Users must establish suitable safety, health, and environmental controls before using the test method.
  • The standard provides guidance aligned with WTO principles for international standardization.

Applications

• Quality Control and Manufacturing:

  • Used during production and prior to shipment to ensure elastomeric sealants meet flow and workability requirements.
  • Helps identify batch-to-batch consistency for both single- and two-part sealant formulations.

• Specification and Project Compliance:

  • Contractors and specifiers use ASTM C603-14(2019) to confirm that products used in construction projects possess documented extrusion and pot-life properties.
  • Results support accurate timing and logistics for onsite application by revealing how long a sealant remains workable after mixing.

• Product Development and Research:

  • Facilitates development and improvement of new sealant formulations by allowing objective comparison of application characteristics.
  • Enables benchmarking against competing products based on standardized testing.

• Regulatory and Procurement Requirements:

  • Frequently referenced in public and private sector procurement documents to ensure products meet recognized industry standards.
  • Assures clients that the materials comply with established guidelines for building sealants.

Related Standards

• ASTM C717 - Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants: Defines key terms used throughout ASTM C603-14(2019).
• Building and Construction Sealant Standards:
  • Additional ASTM and industry standards address other performance factors, such as cure rate, durability, and environmental resistance.
• No ISO Equivalent: As of publication, there is no corresponding ISO standard for this specific test method.

Practical Value

ASTM C603-14(2019) benefits manufacturers, specifiers, and construction professionals by providing a clear, reproducible basis for determining the extrusion behavior and application life of elastomeric sealants. This ensures product reliability and eases compliance with both technical and regulatory requirements, supporting durable and high-performance building construction.

Keywords: elastomeric sealant test, extrusion rate, application life, pot life, building construction sealant, ASTM C603, sealant standards, laboratory test method, quality control, building compliance.

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: C603 − 14 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Test Method for
Extrusion Rate and Application Life of Elastomeric
Sealants
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C603; 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 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers two laboratory procedures for 3.1 Refer to Terminology C717 for definitions of the fol-
determining the extrusion rate and application life (or “pot lowing terms used in this standard: standard conditions.
life”) of elastomeric chemically curing sealants for use in
building construction. 4. Significance and Use
4.1 The results obtained by this test method are simply a
NOTE 1—These sealants are supplied with various rheological proper-
ties ranging from pourable liquids to nonsagging pastes. Single-
measure of the time required to extrude a known volume of
componentsealantsaresuppliedreadyforuseuponopeningthecontainer,
sealant through a known orifice under a predetermined pres-
and their rate of cure is determined by the climatic conditions to which
sure.
they are exposed. Multicomponent sealants are supplied as a base
component and a curing agent separately packaged. After mixing the two
4.2 This test method is not considered a measure of cure
parts, the sealant is ready for application, and curing begins immediately.
rate.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for 5. Apparatus
information only.
5.1 Caulking Gun, 177-mL (6-fl oz) capacity, air-powered.
1.3 There is no known ISO equivalent to this test method.
5.2 PolyethyleneCartridge, 177-mL(6-fl oz), with the front
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
end having an inside diameter of 13.7 6 0.05 mm (0.540 6
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
0.002 in.).
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.3 Air Supply, providing 345 kPa (50-psi) pressure and
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
having the necessary connection fittings for attachment to the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
air-powered caulking gun.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
5.4 Timing Device (clock or watch), calibrated in seconds.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5.5 500-mL (1-pt) Container.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
6. Procedure
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
6.1 Extrusion Rate of Single-Component Sealant—First
condition the unopened container for at least 16 h at standard
2. Referenced Documents
conditions. Then place a sufficient amount of sealant into the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
177-mL(6-fl oz) cartridge to fill it completely with the plunger
C717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
in place, fully retracted. Using no nozzle on the cartridge, gun
the sealant at 345 kPa (50-psi) pressure into the 500-mL (1-pt)
container, measuring the time in seconds required to empty the
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC24onBuilding
cartridge.
Seals and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.20 on
General Test Methods.
NOTE 2—When the printed instructions of the sealant manufacturer so
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2019. Published January 2019. Originally
recommended, heat the sealant before extruding it into the container.
approved in 1969. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C603 - 14. DOI:
10.1520/C0603-14R19.
6.2 Extrusion Rate or Application Life or both, of Mixed
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Multicomponent Sealant—First condition the unopened con-
contact ASTM Cust
...