Overview
ISO 10563:2023 - "Building and civil engineering sealants - Determination of change in mass and volume" defines a standardized test method for measuring the change in mass and change in volume of self‑levelling and non‑sagging sealants used in building joints. The procedure uses weighed test specimens (metal rings or moulds) measured in air and in a test liquid before and after controlled conditioning. NOTE: the test gives an indicative measurement under specified parameters and is not intended to determine the absolute maximum loss of mass or volume.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test specimens: metal rings for non‑sagging sealants and metal moulds for self‑levelling sealants (inner diameter ≈ 30 mm, depth/height ≈ 10 mm); three specimens per test.
- Apparatus: precision balance (0.01 g), ventilated oven (70 ± 2 °C), preconditioning chamber (23 ± 2 °C, 50 ± 10 % RH), immersion container and test liquid (water with low‑foam surfactant or iso‑octane for water‑sensitive products).
- Preparation: fill rings/moulds avoiding bubbles, tool flush with rim, and ensure intimate contact with metal surfaces.
- Conditioning:
- Preconditioning: 23 °C, 50 % RH for 28 days ± 3 h.
- Specific conditioning: ventilated oven at 70 °C for 7 days ± 2 h, followed by 24 h storage at 23 °C, 50 % RH.
- Measurements: weigh specimens in air and immersed in test liquid before and after conditioning; calculate percentage change in mass and percentage change in volume (arithmetic mean of three specimens, rounded per standard).
- Reporting: includes lab ID and date, reference to ISO 10563, sealant name/type/colour/batch, oven parameters, individual and mean values for mass and volume changes, and any deviations.
Applications and who uses this standard
- Sealant manufacturers - quality control, batch verification, and product data sheets.
- Independent testing laboratories - standardized comparative testing and certification.
- Specifiers, architects and engineers - assessing suitability of sealants for joints where shrinkage or mass loss could affect performance.
- R&D teams - formulation development and evaluation of solvent loss, shrinkage tendencies and thermal stability.
- Regulatory and procurement - supporting performance claims and contract specifications.
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Related standards
- ISO 6927 - Vocabulary for building and civil engineering sealants.
- Prepared by ISO/TC 59/SC 8 in cooperation with CEN (Vienna Agreement).