Designation:D2377-14 StandardTestMethod for Tack-Free Time of Caulking Compounds and Sealants This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2377; 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 (s) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval. 1. Scope 4.4 Steel Sheets-Two rectangular tin-plated steel sheets approximately 3by5 in.(76by127mm),and of a convenient 1.1 This test method describes the determination of the thickness. tack-free time property of caulking compounds and sealants. This test method is applicable to both gun and knife grades. 4.5 Plastic Strips—Two,clear,low-density polyethylene strips, 1by 5 in.(25.4 by 127 mm)by 0.004 ± 0.001 in. 1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded (0.1016±0.0254mm)thick. as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. 4.6 Spatula, steel, having a 4 to 5-in. (102 to 127-mm) long 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the narrow blade. safety concerns,if any,associated with itsuse.It is the 4.7ThinKnifeBlade. responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 5. Solvent priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- bility of regulatory limitations priortouse. 5.1 Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Ethylene Dichloride, or similar 1.4 The committee with jurisdiction over this standard is not solvent. aware of any comparable standard published by other organi 6. Conditioning zations. 2. Referenced Documents 6.1 Condition the sample in the original closed container for at least 5 h at Standard Conditions as defined in Terminology 2.1 ASTM Standards:2 C717. C717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants 7. Sampling 3. Terminology 7.1 Take the sealant from a previously unopened container 3.1 Definitions-—Refer toTerminologyC717for definitions and thoroughly mix before using. of the following terms: caulking compound, compound, seal ant. 8. Test Specimens 4.Apparatus 8.1Prepare twotest specimens as follows: 8.1.1 Thoroughlymixthe conditioned compound and com 4.1 Cabinet or Room, capable of maintaining Standard pletely clean the template and steel sheets with solvent. Conditions as defined in Terminology C717. 8.1.2 Center the template on the tin panel and carefully fill 4.2 Brass Sheet, 3/4by 1/2 in. (19 by 38 mm), approximately it, avoiding air pockets. Strike off the surface of the compound /4 in. (6.4 mm) thick. flat to a uniform /s-in. (3.2-mm) thickness. With a thin knife 4.3 Template—A rectangular template of steel or brass, /s blade, cut all around the outside edge of the compound and lift in. (3.2 mm) thick, 1 by 33/4 in. (25.4 by 95.1 mm) inside, and the template straight up and off. approximately 2 by 4/4 in.(51 by 121 mm) outside. 9. Procedure(Fig. 1) 9.1 For gungrade compounds, expose the specimen for 72 1 This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C24 on Building h at Standard Conditions as defined in Terminology C717. For Seals and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.20 on General Test Methods knife grade compounds,expose for 120 h under the same approved Feb. 1, 2014. Published March 2014. Originally conditions. approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D237700(2008). DOI: 10.1520/D2377-14 9.2 At the end of the exposure period, center the polyeth- enced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org,o ylene strip lengthwise along the top surface of the compound. contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of A.STM Set the brass weight in the center on top of the polyethylene Standards volume information, refer to the standard's Document Summary page on the ASTM website. strip and allow it to remain there for 30 s. Copyright @ ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C70o, West Consh n, PA 19428-