ASTM C1756-17a
(Guide)Standard Guide for Comparing Seal or Sealant Behavior to Reference Photographs
Standard Guide for Comparing Seal or Sealant Behavior to Reference Photographs
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide is intended to be used in evaluating sealant conditions that occur in service, along with other diagnostic techniques in failure analysis. These standard reference photographs have been selected and approved through ASTM's consensus balloting process to illustrate terms defined by Committee C24.
4.2 Not all of the terms illustrated here are failures, and there are other failure mechanisms that affect sealants that are not discussed in this guide. This guide is intended to be one of a number of sources of information used in the evaluation of sealant behavior.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides photographs that illustrate seal and sealant behavior consistent with the scope and areas of interest of Committee C24.
1.2 When available, photographs that better illustrate these terms, or that illustrate additional terms defined by Committee C24, will be included in future editions of this standard. Photographs for consideration may be submitted to the committee using the form in Appendix X1.
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 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-Oct-2017
- Technical Committee
- C24 - Building Seals and Sealants
- Drafting Committee
- C24.10 - Specifications, Guides and Practices
Relations
- Replaces
ASTM C1756-17 - Standard Guide for Comparing Seal or Sealant Behavior to Reference Photographs - Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2019
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2018
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2017
- Effective Date
- 15-Nov-2016
- Effective Date
- 01-Sep-2016
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2014
- Effective Date
- 01-Feb-2014
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2013
- Effective Date
- 01-Dec-2012
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2012
- Effective Date
- 15-Jan-2012
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2011
- Effective Date
- 15-Jan-2011
Overview
ASTM C1756-17a: Standard Guide for Comparing Seal or Sealant Behavior to Reference Photographs is an important reference for professionals evaluating the performance and condition of building seals and sealants. Published by ASTM International and maintained by Committee C24, this guide offers a visual standard-using selected photographs-that illustrate various sealant behaviors, such as failures and other service-related changes. The reference photographs, along with precise terminology, support consistent understanding and communication during inspection, failure analysis, and specification processes across the construction and building envelope industry.
Key Topics
ASTM C1756-17a focuses on providing a visual resource for understanding sealant conditions, with coverage of:
- Sealant Failures and Conditions: Using photographs to illustrate terms like adhesion failure, cohesive failure, crazing, chalking, reversion, dirt pick-up, fluid migration, rundown, and sag.
- Terminology Alignment: All terms are defined in accordance with ASTM C717, ensuring industry-wide consistency in language and assessment.
- Practical Evaluation Tool: The guide is designed to assist in evaluating both failures and non-failure conditions that occur in service, in conjunction with other diagnostic techniques.
- Submission of New Photographs: Users can submit new reference images to the committee for consideration, helping update and improve the standard over time.
- Consensus-Based Reference Photos: All images are reviewed and approved following ASTM’s consensus process for reliability and accuracy.
Applications
The practical value of ASTM C1756-17a extends to various segments of the building and construction industry:
- On-site Inspections: Facility managers, building inspectors, and contractors use the guide’s reference photos to accurately identify and classify observed sealant behavior during maintenance checks or warranty assessments.
- Failure Analysis: Engineers and forensic specialists refer to the guide when diagnosing the cause of sealant failure or degradation, aiding in selecting corrective actions and specifying replacement materials.
- Quality Assurance: Construction professionals utilize the standard during installation and post-installation reviews to ensure sealants meet performance expectations and that identified issues are appropriately documented.
- Education and Training: The guide acts as a visual training aid, enhancing skills and consistency among professionals responsible for evaluation and maintenance of building seals and sealants.
Related Standards
ASTM C1756-17a is closely linked with other industry standards, supporting comprehensive sealant evaluation. Important related documents include:
- ASTM C717: Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants – The reference for all technical terminology used in C1756-17a.
- Guides and practices under ASTM Committee C24 – Provide broader frameworks for specification, testing, and application of sealants in building construction.
Professionals may also consult organization-specific maintenance standards and relevant regulatory requirements to ensure holistic compliance in building sealant applications.
By adhering to ASTM C1756-17a, stakeholders across the construction sector benefit from a standardized, visual approach to analyzing and documenting sealant behavior, leading to improved quality, transparency, and confidence in building envelope integrity. For the latest updates, or to contribute to future editions, users should engage with ASTM Committee C24 and refer to official ASTM publications.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM C1756-17a is a guide published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Guide for Comparing Seal or Sealant Behavior to Reference Photographs". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 This guide is intended to be used in evaluating sealant conditions that occur in service, along with other diagnostic techniques in failure analysis. These standard reference photographs have been selected and approved through ASTM's consensus balloting process to illustrate terms defined by Committee C24. 4.2 Not all of the terms illustrated here are failures, and there are other failure mechanisms that affect sealants that are not discussed in this guide. This guide is intended to be one of a number of sources of information used in the evaluation of sealant behavior. SCOPE 1.1 This guide provides photographs that illustrate seal and sealant behavior consistent with the scope and areas of interest of Committee C24. 1.2 When available, photographs that better illustrate these terms, or that illustrate additional terms defined by Committee C24, will be included in future editions of this standard. Photographs for consideration may be submitted to the committee using the form in Appendix X1. 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 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.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 This guide is intended to be used in evaluating sealant conditions that occur in service, along with other diagnostic techniques in failure analysis. These standard reference photographs have been selected and approved through ASTM's consensus balloting process to illustrate terms defined by Committee C24. 4.2 Not all of the terms illustrated here are failures, and there are other failure mechanisms that affect sealants that are not discussed in this guide. This guide is intended to be one of a number of sources of information used in the evaluation of sealant behavior. SCOPE 1.1 This guide provides photographs that illustrate seal and sealant behavior consistent with the scope and areas of interest of Committee C24. 1.2 When available, photographs that better illustrate these terms, or that illustrate additional terms defined by Committee C24, will be included in future editions of this standard. Photographs for consideration may be submitted to the committee using the form in Appendix X1. 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 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.
ASTM C1756-17a is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 91.100.50 - Binders. Sealing materials. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM C1756-17a has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM C1756-17, ASTM C717-19, ASTM C717-18, ASTM C717-17a, ASTM C717-17, ASTM C717-16a, ASTM C717-16, ASTM C717-14a, ASTM C717-14, ASTM C717-13, ASTM C717-12b, ASTM C717-12a, ASTM C717-12, ASTM C717-11a, ASTM C717-11. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM C1756-17a is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
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: C1756 − 17a
Standard Guide for
Comparing Seal or Sealant Behavior to Reference
Photographs
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1756; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This guide provides photographs that illustrate seal and
3.1 The terms used in this guide are defined inTerminology
sealant behavior consistent with the scope and areas of interest
C717.
of Committee C24.
1.2 When available, photographs that better illustrate these 4. Significance and Use
terms, or that illustrate additional terms defined by Committee
4.1 This guide is intended to be used in evaluating sealant
C24, will be included in future editions of this standard.
conditions that occur in service, along with other diagnostic
Photographs for consideration may be submitted to the com-
techniques in failure analysis. These standard reference photo-
mittee using the form in Appendix X1.
graphs have been selected and approved through ASTM’s
1.3 Thecommitteewithjurisdictionoverthisstandardisnot
consensus balloting process to illustrate terms defined by
aware of any comparable standards published by other orga-
Committee C24.
nizations.
4.2 Not all of the terms illustrated here are failures, and
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
there are other failure mechanisms that affect sealants that are
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
not discussed in this guide. This guide is intended to be one of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
a number of sources of information used in the evaluation of
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
sealant behavior.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 5. Reference Photographs
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5.1 Figs. 1-9 present a standard reference photograph for
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
each of the terms defined inTerminology C717, reprinted with
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
their definitions.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
6. Keywords
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6.1 adhesion failure; chalking; cohesion failure; crazed; dirt
C717Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
pick-up; elastomeric joint sealant; fluid migration; reversion;
rundown; sag
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC24onBuildingSeals
and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.10
onSpecifications, Guides and Practices.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2017. Published November 2017. Originally
approved in 2011. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as C1756-17. DOI:
10.1520/C1756-17A.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. 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
C1756 − 17a
adhesion failure, n—in building construction, failure of the bond between a
sealant and a substrate.
Discussion—This definition pertains to interfacial adhesion failure, a lack of
bond at the interface between the materials. Interphasal adhesion failure, within
the sealant or substrate near the interface, is less common and may appear to be
cohesive failure, n—in building construction, failure characterized by rupture
interfacial without the use of magnification.
within the sealant.
FIG. 1 Adhesion Failure
FIG. 3 Cohesive Failure
chalking, v—in building construction, formation of a powder on the surface of a
crazed, adj—in building construction, having a random network of cracks in a
sealant that is caused by the disintegration of the polymer or binding medium due
sealant surface which do not penetrate through the body of the material.
to weathering.
FIG. 4 Crazed
FIG. 2 Chalking
C1756 − 17a
dirt pick-up, n—in building construction, soiling caused by a foreign material
other than micro-organism growth that is deposited on, adhered to, or embedded
into a sealant.
reversion, n—in building construction in joint sealing, a loss of elastomeric
FIG. 5 Dirt Pick-up
properties and a decrease in durometer hardness of a seal or cured sealant
following environmental exposure.
Discussion—Softening and the ability to permanently reshape a seal or sealant
usually characterizes reversion. Depending on a specific seal or sealant
formulation, high heat, ultraviolet radiation, or moisture (as a liquid or vapor) may
cause reversion acting either alone or in combination. The seal and sealant
...
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: C1756 − 17 C1756 − 17a
Standard Guide for
Comparing Seal or Sealant Behavior to Reference
Photographs
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1756; 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.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide provides photographs that illustrate sealant behavior terms that have been defined by seal and sealant behavior
consistent with the scope and areas of interest of Committee C24.
1.2 When available, photographs that better illustrate these terms, or that illustrate additional terms defined by Committee C24,
will be included in future editions of this standard. Photographs for consideration may be submitted to the committee using the
form in Appendix X1.
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 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
3. Terminology
3.1 The terms used in this guide are defined in Terminology C717.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This guide is intended to be used in evaluating sealant conditions that occur in service, along with other diagnostic
techniques in failure analysis. These standard reference photographs have been selected and approved through ASTM’s consensus
balloting process to illustrate terms defined by Committee C24.
4.2 Not all of the terms illustrated here are failures, and there are other failure mechanisms that affect sealants that are not
discussed in this guide. This guide is intended to be one of a number of sources of information used in the evaluation of sealant
behavior.
5. Reference Photographs
5.1 Figs. 1-9 present a standard reference photograph for each of the terms defined in Terminology C717, reprinted with their
definitions.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C24 on Building Seals and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.10 onSpecifications,
Guides and Practices.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2017Nov. 1, 2017. Published September 2017November 2017. Originally approved in 2011. Last previous edition approved in 20142017
as C1756-14.-17. DOI: 10.1520/C1756-17.10.1520/C1756-17A.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. 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
C1756 − 17a
adhesion failure, n—in building construction, failure of the bond between a sealant and a substrate.
Discussion—This definition pertains to interfacial adhesion failure, a lack of bond at the interface between the materials. Interphasal adhesion failure, within the sealant
or substrate near the interface, is less common and may appear to be interfacial without the use of magnification.
FIG. 1 Adhesion Failure
chalking, v—in building construction, formation of a powder on the surface of a sealant that is caused by the disintegration of the polymer or binding medium due to
weathering.
FIG. 2 Chalking
cohesive failure, n—in building construction, failure characterized by rupture within the sealant.
FIG. 3 Cohesive Failure
6. Keywords
6.1 adhesion failure; chalking; cohesion failure; crazed; dirt pick-up; elastomeric joint sealant; fluid migration; reversion;
rundown; sag
C1756 − 17a
crazed, adj—in building construction, having a random network of cracks in a
sealant surface which do not penetrate through the body of the material.
FIG. 4 Crazed
reversion, n—in building construction in joint sealing, a loss of elastomeric
properties and a decrease in durometer hardness of a seal or cured sealant
following environmental exposure.
Discussion—Softening and the ability to permanently reshape a seal or sealant
usually characterizes reversion. Depending on a specific seal or sealant
formulation, high heat, ultraviolet radiation, or moisture (as a liquid or vapor) may
cause reversion acting either alone or in combination. The seal and sealant
industry is not in agreement on reversion causes.
FIG. 7 Reversion
dirt pick-up, n—in building const
...
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