SEDL / STP / STP1254-EB / STP13996S

Advances in Test Methods to Assess the Long-Term Performance of Sealants

Lacasse, MA
Research Associate, Building Science Engineer, National Research Council of Canada, Institute for Research in Construction, Materials Laboratory, Ottawa, Ontario

Pages: 16    Published: Jan 1994

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Abstract

In this review, a number of aspects related to sealant testing and evaluation will be addressed. Those factors that are most important in determining the useful life of sealants, as well as the choice of the most appropriate test methods to assess their performance are discussed. Some of the topics that are treated include, for example, studies undertaken to determine the amount and rate at which building joints move and their significance in relation to the effect of movement rate on the mechanical properties of sealants; the relevance of the failure envelope in evaluating the performance of sealants; the effect of daily cycling on the extended sealant; the use of strain-cycling movement when predicting sealant performance; the significance of light and moisture on the overall degradation of the sealant; the importance of movement in the deterioration of sealants joints. The nature of future research regarding the long-term performance of sealants is identified.