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: C1519 − 10 (Reapproved 2017)

Standard Test Method for

Evaluating Durability of Building Construction Sealants by
Laboratory Accelerated Weathering Procedures1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1519; 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 G113 Terminology Relating to Natural and Artificial Weath-

1.1 This test method covers the method for the determina- ering Tests of Nonmetallic Materials
tion of the durability of a sealant based on its ability to function G141 Guide for Addressing Variability in Exposure Testing
in cyclic movement maintaining adhesion and cohesion after of Nonmetallic Materials
repeated exposure to laboratory accelerated weathering proce- G151 Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials in Accel-
dures. erated Test Devices that Use Laboratory Light Sources
G154 Practice for Operating Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV)
1.2 This test method describes two laboratory accelerated Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials
weathering procedures for evaluating the durability of a G155 Practice for Operating Xenon Arc Light Apparatus for
sealant. Exposure of Non-Metallic Materials
1.3 RILEM TC139–DBS is related to this test method. 2.2 RILEM Standard:3
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the RILEM TC139–DBS Determination of changes in adhesion,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the cohesion, and appearance of elastic weatherproofing seal-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- ants for high movement facade joints after exposure to
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- artificial weathering
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3. Terminology
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 3.1 The definitions given in Terminology C717 on terms
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the relating to building seals and sealants and in Terminology
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- G113 on terms relating to natural and artificial weathering tests
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical are applicable to this test method.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents 4.1 This test method describes the procedure to evaluate or
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 compare, or both, the durability of sealants when subjected to
C717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants accelerated weathering and cyclic movement in a joint.
C719 Test Method for Adhesion and Cohesion of Elasto- 4.2 Sealant installation procedures, design considerations
meric Joint Sealants Under Cyclic Movement (Hockman and movement during cure affect the aging processes and are
Cycle) fundamental to the success of any sealant. These factors are not
C1442 Practice for Conducting Tests on Sealants Using addressed with this test method.
Artificial Weathering Apparatus
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in 4.3 The amount, type and frequency of movement a sealant
ASTM Test Methods experiences during its lifetime strongly depends on the mate-
rials used in construction and on the orientation of the joint
toward sunlight and many other factors that are not uniform or
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C24 on Building consistent.
Seals and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.40 on
Weathering. 4.4 Climatic exposures will differ with the orientation of the
Current edition approved Sept. 15, 2017. Published October 2017. Originally building and shading as well as with local and regional climatic
approved in 2002. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as C1519 - 10. DOI: conditions. Climates in a given location can vary from year to
10.1520/C1519-10R17.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or year because of differences in solar radiation, temperature,
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
3
the ASTM website. Published in Materials and Structures2001, pp. 34579–588.

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 C1519 − 10 (2017)
rainfall, and atmospheric conditions. Further, the quality and substrates as well. Substrates should be compatible with the
intensity of solar radiation on the earth’s surface varies with sealant, should not degrade under weathering, and should fit
geographic location, season, time of day, and cloud cover. into the joint movement apparatus. If primer is recommended
4.5 Variations in results may be expected when operating by the sealant manufacturer, it should be used in accordance
conditions are varied within the accepted limits of this test with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
method. Therefore, all test results using this test method must 6.2 Spacers, for the preparation of the specimens should be
be accompanied by a report of the specific operating conditions of a non-adherent material and of a shape to produce a sealant
as required in Section 11. Refer to Practice G151 for detailed joint as depicted in Test Method C719.
information on the caveats applicable to use of results obtained NOTE 2—If the spacers are made of a material to which the sealant
according to this test method. adheres, their surfaces should be made non-adherent, for example, by a
thin wax coating.
4.6 The results of laboratory exposure cannot be directly
6.3 Non-Adherent Substance, for the preparation of test
extrapolated to estimate an absolute rate of deterioration
specimens, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film
caused by natural weathering because the acceleration factor is
or vellum paper, preferably on the advice of the sealant
material dependent and can be significantly different for each
manufacturer.
material and for different formulations of the same material.
However, exposure of a similar material of known outdoor 6.4 Ventilated Convection-Type Oven, capable of being
performance, a control, along with the test specimens allows maintained at 50 6 2°C.
comparison of the durability relative to that of the control 6.5 Artificial Weathering Device—Choice of type of appa-
under the test conditions. Evaluation in terms of relative ratus and duration of exposure shall be by mutual agreement
durability also greatly improves the agreement in test results among the interested parties. Because of differences in test
among different laboratories. conditions, test results may differ with the type of apparatus
4.7 Results of this procedure will depend on the care that is used. Consult Practices G154 and G155 for differences in the
taken to operate the equipment according to Practices G154 spectral power distributions of the exposure sources and
and G155. Significant factors include regulation of the line Practice C1442 for the differences in test parameters in the two
voltage, freedom from salt or other deposits from water, types of apparatus specified.
temperature control, humidity control, where applicable, con- 6.5.1 Fluorescent UV/Condensation Apparatus—Operate
dition and age of the burners and filters in xenon arc the device in accordance with Practice C1442, Section 7.3.
equipment, and age of lamps in fluorescent UV equipment. 6.5.2 Xenon Arc Light Apparatus—Operate the device in
NOTE 1—Additional information on sources of variability and on accordance with Practice C1442, Section 7.2.
strategies for addressing variability in the design, execution and data
analysis of laboratory accelerated exposure tests is found in Guide G141. NOTE 3—The xenon arc ruggedness test was run at 70 % RH using an
exposure cycle of 2 h light followed by 2 h light plus water spray for more
5. Summary thorough wetting. The test results compared well with those of outdoor
exposures. Therefore, these conditions are considered an alternate to the
5.1 For this procedure, specimens are prepared in which the default parameters.
sealant to be tested adheres to two parallel contact surfaces.
This procedure uses the same type of specimens, in the same 7. Preparation of Test Specimens
dimensions, and the same preparation and cure as described in
7.1 Adhere the sealant to be tested to two parallel contact
Test Method C719. While any substrates can be specified and
surfaces as described in Test Method C719. The user is to
used, this procedure was developed with anodized aluminum
specify the number of specimens.
substrates. Following cure, the specimens are placed in an
artificial weathering chamber for 4 weeks. On removal from 7.2 Unless specified otherwise, use anodized aluminum
the weathering chamber, they are placed in a cyclic movement substrates.
machine and subjected to 6 cyclic movements of extension and 7.3 For each specimen, assemble two supports and two
compression at room temperature according to the method of spacers as shown in Test Method C719 and set up on the
C719. Any degree of extension and compression can be used. non-adherent substrate.
After the movement cycles the sealant is blocked open at the
recommended extension and examined for flaws. The cycle of 7.4 Follow the instructions of the sealant manufacturer, for
weathering followed by movement testing and examination is instance, whether a primer is to be used.
repeated as often as specified. After each cycle, the number of 7.5 Fill the hollow space formed by supports and spacers
cycles is recorded as well as the mode of failure, that is, shall be with sealant previously conditioned for 24 h at 23 6
cohesive or adhesive, amount of failure, the depth of any 2°C. The following precautions shall be taken:
cracks or breaks and other pertinent observations, such as 7.5.1 avoid the formation of air bubbles;
sealant deformation and bubble formation. 7.5.2 discard the first 5 g of sealant out of the tube, cartridge
or dispenser;
6. Apparatus 7.5.3 press the sealant towards the contact surface of the
6.1 Aluminum Supports, for the preparation of test speci- supports; and
mens (two supports for each specimen). Anodized aluminum is 7.5.4 trim the sealant surfaces so that they are flush with the
the standard substrate, but this method can be used with other face of the supports and spacers.

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 C1519 − 10 (2017)
7.6 Backing materials and other joint formation aids should 10. Periods of Exposure and Evaluation of Results
be removed as soon as possible, consistent with no deformation 10.1 In most cases, periodic evaluation of materials is
of the sealant, to assist in the curing process. necessary to determine when significant changes occur.
8. Conditioning 10.2 The time of radiant exposure necessary to produce a
defined change in a material property can be used to evaluate
8.1 The specimens shall be conditioned or cured following or rank the stability of materials. This method is more reliable
the procedures of Test Method C719, Section 8. than evaluating materials after an arbitrary exposure time or
radiant exposure.
9. Test Procedure 10.2.1 Exposure to an arbitrary time or radiant exposure
9.1 After completion of 7.6 process, place the test speci- may be used for the purpose of a specific test if agreed upon by
mens in an artificial weathering device so that the sealant the parties concerned or if required for conformance to a
surface (top of the joint) faces the exposure source. The face of particular specification. When a single exposure period is used,
the samples are positioned at the specified distance from the select a time or radiant exposure that will produce the largest
exposure source. performance differences between the test materials.
9.1.1 If the specimens do not completely fill the racks, fill 10.2.2 In the development of a specification, the minimum
the empty spaces with blank metal panels to maintain the test exposure time shall be that necessary to produce a substantial
conditions within the chamber. change in the property of interest for the least stable material
being evaluated. An exposure time that produces a significant
9.1.2 Specimens should be confined to an exposure area
change in one type of material cannot be assumed to be
where the irradiance is at least 90 % of that measured at the
applicable to other types of materials.
center of the exposure area. Unless it is shown that irradiance
uniformity meets the requirements of Practice G151, section 11. Report
5.1.3 for no repositioning, use one of the procedures described
in section 5.1.4 to insure that all specimens receive radiant 11.1 The report shall make reference to this test method and
exposures that are as similar as possible. Irradiance uniformity shall include the following information:
can be determined in accordance with Practice G151, Section 11.1.1 The name and type of sealant;
A1. 11.1.2 The batch of sealant from which the specimens were
9.1.3 Operate the artificial weathering device according to produced, if possible;
the specifications in 6.5 for 4 weeks. 11.1.3 The type of support material if different than the
standard of anodized aluminum;
NOTE 4—If the irradiance level of the xenon arc apparatus is set at 0.35
rather than 0.51 W/m2.nm) at 340 nm, operate it for 5.8 weeks instead of 11.1.4 The primer used, if applicable;
4 weeks. (See Annex A1.2.1 in C1442 for determination of exposure time 11.1.5 Weathering information to conform to the Report
at other irradiance levels. section of Practice G151 plus the following:
9.2 At the end of the 4 weeks in the artificial weathering 11.1.5.1 Type, manufacturer and model of artificial weath-
machine, test the sealant to 6 movement cycles as described in ering apparatus used,
Test Method C719, sections 9.4 and 9.5 (room temperature 11.1.5.2 Irradiance level and actual time (number of hours)
movement), at the prescribed movement amplitude. in weathering apparatus.
9.2.1 Extend the specimen to the prescribed maximum 11.1.6 The amplitude of extension/compression used for the
extension and block open with appropriate spacers. Examine movement cycles;
the sealants for any flaws. Flaws include any cracks, breaks, 11.1.7 Whether or not flaws occurred, and, if the affirmative,
adhesive or cohesive loss. Measure and record the depth of any the cycle at which they occurred, types of flaws (adhesion or
crack or flaw and any pertinent observations. Observations cohesion or other types), and depth of any flaws; and
should be recorded on a scale of 0 to 5, with 0 indicating no 11.1.8 Any deviations from the specified procedures and
observed change, and 5 indicating excessive change. Remove conditions.
the blocks and allow the samples to recover to the dimensions
12. Precision and Bias4
of the sealant at initial cure.
12.1 The precision of this test method is based on an
NOTE 5—A rating of 0 to 5 is a subjective evaluation and is useful for interlaboratory study of Practice C1519-04, conducted in 2009.
an individual laboratory to compare surface appearance but is less useful
for comparing results between laboratories.
A total of three laboratories participated in this study, recording
observations of the total loss of bond in adhesion and cohesion,
9.3 Other measurements such as hardness, tensile strength, cracking, crazing, chalking, and discoloration. Observations
elongation and modulus can also be made, if specified. were recorded on a scale from 0 to 5, with 0 indicating no
9.4 The artificial weathering exposure, the movement test, observed change, and 5 indicating excessive change. Observa-
the examination and measurements of any flaws represent one tions on triplicate specimens of four different sealant materials
cycle of this durability procedure. were made regularly every 4 weeks beginning with the “4 week
9.5 The cycle is to be repeated as often as is specified.
Observations and measurements are to be made and recorded at 4
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
the end of each cycle. be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:C24-1057.

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 C1519 − 10 (2017)
weathering/movement cycle,” continuing through the “48 TABLE 3 Crazing at 28 weeks (3 laboratories)
week weathering/movement cycle,” and then less frequently Sample Average Repeat- Reproduc- Repeat- Reproduc-
afterwards. One of the three participating laboratories stopped ability ibility ability ibility
Standard Standard Limit Limit
reporting all observations after Week 28, and another labora- Deviation Deviation
tory stopped reporting data after Week 32. Details of every x̄ sr SR r R
rating reported in this study can be found in ASTM Research Water-
Report No. RR:C24-1057. borne
Acrylic 1.7 0 1.5 0 4.3
12.1.1 Repeatability limit (r)—Two test results obtained Silicone 0 0 0 0 0
within one laboratory shall be judged not equivalent if they MS Seal- 0 0 0 0 0
differ by more than the “r” value for that material; “r” is the ant
Polyure- 0.5 0 0.7 0 2.0
interval representing the critical difference between two test thane
results for the same material, obtained by the same operator
using the same equipment on the same day in the same
laboratory. TABLE 4 Discoloration at 28 weeks (3 laboratories)
12.1.1.1 Due to a lack of significant and consistent observ- Sample Average Repeat- Reproduc- Repeat- Reproduc-
able change in most of the selected analyses, little repeatability ability ibility ability ibility
Standard Standard Limit Limit
data is available for the time periods from 4 to 24 weeks. Deviation Deviation
(1) Repeatability limits for ratings reported at 28 weeks are x̄ sr SR r R
listed in Tables 1-5. Waterborne
Acrylic 0.3 0 0.6 0 1.6
Silicone 0 0 0 0 0
TABLE 1 Chalking at 28 weeks (3 laboratories) MS Sealant 0 0 0 0 0
Sample Average Repeat- Reproduc- Repeat- Reproduc- Polyure- 3.5 0 0.7 0 2.0
ability ibility ability ibility thane
Standard Standard Limit Limit
Deviation Deviation
x̄ sr SR r R
TABLE 5 Total Loss of Bond at 28 weeks (3 laboratories)
Water-
borne Sample Average Repeat- Reproduc- Repeat- Reproduc-
Acrylic 0 0 0 0 0 ability ibility ability ibility
Silicone 0 0 0 0 0 Standard Standard Limit Limit
MS Seal- 0 0 0 0 0 Deviation Deviation
ant x̄ sr SR r R
Polyure- 0 0 0 0 0 Waterborne
thane Acrylic 0.2 0.7 0.7 1.9 1.9
Silicone 0.3 0 0.6 0 1.6
MS Sealant 0 0 0 0 0
Polyure- 1.2 1.1 1.9 3.0 5.0
TABLE 2 Cracking at 28 weeks (3 laboratories) thane
Sample Average Repeat- Reproduc- Repeat- Reproduc-
ability ibility ability ibility
Standard Standard Limit Limit
TABLE 6 Chalking (> 28 weeks) (1 laboratory)
Deviation Deviation
x̄ sr SR r R Sample Average Repeatability Repeatability
Standard Limit
Water-
Deviation
borne
x̄ sr r
Acrylic 0.6 0.9 1.2 2.5 3.4
Silicone 0.7 0 1.2 0 3.2 Waterborne Acrylic @ 69 weeks 0 0 0
MS Seal- 0 0 0 0 0 Silicone @ 69 weeks 0 0 0
ant MS Sealant @ 69 weeks 0 0 0
Polyure- 1.7 0.4 2.4 1.1 5.0 Polyurethane @ 48 weeks 0 0 0
thane

12.1.1.2 Repeatability limits for ratings reported by a single 12.1.2.2 Reproducibility limits for ratings reported at 28
laboratory after Week 28 are listed in Tables 6-10 for compari- weeks are listed in Tables 1-5.
son. 12.1.3 The terms (repeatability limit and reproducibility
12.1.2 Reproducibility limit (R)—Two test results shall be limit) are used as specified in Practice E177.
judged not equivalent if they differ by more than the “R” value 12.1.4 Any judgment in accordance with statements 9.1.1
for that material; “R” is the interval representing the critical and 9.1.2 would normally have an approximate 95 % probabil-
difference between two test results for the same material, ity of being correct, however the precision statistics obtained in
obtained by different operators using different equipment in this ILS must not be treated as exact mathematical quantities
different laboratories. which are applicable to all circumstances and uses. The limited
12.1.2.1 Due to a lack of significant and consistent observ- number of laboratories reporting results guarantees that there
able change in most of the selected analyses, little reproduc- will be times when differences greater than predicted by the
ibility data is available for the time periods from 4 to 24 weeks. ILS results will arise, sometimes with considerably greater or

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 C1519 − 10 (2017)
TABLE 7 Cracking (> 28 weeks) (1 laboratory) TABLE 9 Discoloration (> 28 weeks) (1 laboratory)
Sample Average Repeatability Repeatability Sample Average Repeatability Repeatability
Standard Limit Standard Limit
Deviation Deviation
x̄ sr r x̄ sr r
Waterborne Acrylic @ 69 weeks 2.3 0.6 1.6 Waterborne Acrylic @ 69 weeks 1.0 0 0
Silicone @ 69 weeks 2.0 0 0 Silicone @ 69 weeks 0 0 0
MS Sealant @ 69 weeks 1.0 0 0 MS Sealant @ 69 weeks 0 0 0
Polyurethane @ 48 weeks 4.0 0 0 Polyurethane @ 48 weeks 4.0 0 0

TABLE 8 Crazing (> 28 weeks) (1 laboratory) TABLE 10 Total Loss of Bond (> 28 weeks) (1 laboratory)
Sample Average Repeatability Repeatability Sample Average Repeatability Repeatability
Standard Limit Standard Limit
Deviation Deviation
x̄ sr r x̄ sr r
Waterborne Acrylic @ 69 weeks 3.0 0 0 Waterborne Acrylic @ 69 weeks 2.3 0.6 1.6
Silicone @ 69 weeks 0 0 0 Silicone @ 69 weeks 2.5 0.7 2.0
MS Sealant @ 69 weeks 0 0 0 MS Sealant @ 69 weeks 2.0 0 0
Polyurethane @ 48 weeks 2.0 0 0 Polyurethane @ 48 weeks 4.0 0 0

smaller frequency than the 95 % probability limit would imply.

Consider the repeatability limits and the reproducibility limits
as general guides, and the associated probability of 95 % as 13. Keywords
only a rough indicator of what can be expected.
13.1 artificial aging; artificial weathering; building sealants;
12.2 Bias—At the time of the study, there was no accepted durability; joint movement; sealants; weathering
reference material suitable for determining the bias for this test
method, therefore no statement on bias is being made.

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