Overview
ISO 19863:2016 specifies a laboratory method for the determination of tear resistance of sealants used in joints in building and civil engineering works. The standard defines specimen preparation, conditioning, test apparatus and the procedure to measure tear propagation in sealant joints. Results are reported as the increase in incision length (final − initial) and expressed to the nearest 0.5 mm, with the mean of three specimens recorded.
Key topics and requirements
- Principle: Sealant is bonded between two parallel substrates, an incision is made through the sealant thickness, the specimen is extended and held under defined elongation while tear propagation is measured.
- Apparatus and dimensions: Substrates per ISO 13640, spacers (12 mm × 12 mm), anti-adherent film (e.g., PE), tensile test machine (extension rate (5.5 ± 0.7) mm/min), knife blade (6 mm or 9 mm width), separators to hold elongation (25 %, 40 %, 50 % or agreed values).
- Specimen preparation: Work at (23 ± 2) °C, follow manufacturer instructions (primers, mixing), avoid air bubbles, tool surfaces flush with substrates, maintain spacers during curing.
- Conditioning methods:
- Method A: 28 days at (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 10) % RH.
- Method B: Method A followed by three cycles of heat and water exposure (oven at (70 ± 2) °C and distilled water at (23 ± 2) °C) - note: Method B is a standardized heat/water influence cycle and is not suitable for assessing long-term durability.
- Test procedure: Remove spacers, make incision through full sealant thickness (typically 12 mm), extend specimen to a defined width (e.g., to 15 mm, 16.8 mm or 18 mm for 25/40/50 % elongation), maintain for 24 h, measure incision length to 0.5 mm accuracy.
- Expression of results: Tear propagation = final length − initial length; report mean of three specimens to nearest 0.5 mm.
- Test report: Must include lab name/date, reference to ISO 19863, sealant name/type/colour/batch, substrate and primer, conditioning method, elongation, test duration, incision width and propagation per specimen, mean value, and deviations from the standard.
Applications and users
ISO 19863 is used to:
- Evaluate mechanical resistance to tear of sealants for building joints.
- Support product development, quality control and comparative testing by manufacturers.
- Provide standardized test evidence for specifiers, façade engineers, testing laboratories and certification bodies.
Typical users: sealant manufacturers, independent test labs, façade consultants, building product certifiers and procurement teams specifying jointing materials.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 19863, tear resistance, sealants, building construction, joint testing, conditioning, tear propagation, test procedure.