Two-part polysulphide-based sealants - Specification, Part 1: General requirements
1987 Edition

Overview of IS 12118 Part 1: Introduction and Key Specifications

Scope Details:

• Applies to two-component polysulphide sealants consisting of a polymer base and curing agent mixed before use.
• Designed for typical atmospheric conditions in building construction.

Important Notes:

• Derived from BS 4254:1983.
• Additional testing required for extreme conditions such as wide temperature/humidity ranges, water pressure exposure, or potable water contact.
• The standard is divided into:
  • Part 1: General specifications
  • Part 2: Test methods

Sampling Protocols (Clause 1.3, Table A-1):

Conformity Criteria (Clause 3.2, Table A-3):

• All test outcomes must meet the specified requirements to confirm lot conformity.

Rounding Rules (Clause 0.5):

• Numerical results are rounded according to IS 2-1960 to match required significant digits.

flowchart LR
    A[Sealant Components: Polymer & Curing Agent] --> B[Mixing Prior to Application]
    B --> C[Curing at Ambient Conditions]
    C --> D[Formation of Rubber-like Solid]
    D --> E[Application in Standard Atmospheric Environments]
    E --> F{Are Conditions Extreme?}
    F -- Yes --> G[Additional Testing Required]
    F -- No --> H[Standard Application]

This section summarizes the introductory aspects and the sampling requirements of IS 12118 Part 1.

Scope of IS 12118 Part 1 - Essential Details

Applicability:

• Pertains to two-component polysulphide sealants for general construction use.
• Components include:
  • Part A: Polysulphide polymer base.
  • Part B: Hardening agent.
• Components are blended before application and cure at room temperature forming an elastomeric material.
• The standard is based on BS 4254:1983.
• Intended for use in normal atmospheric conditions.
• For scenarios involving extreme temperatures, humidity, water pressure, or potable water storage, supplementary testing is mandated.

Sampling and Conformance

• A batch is deemed conforming only if every test result on the combined sample complies with the specifications.

Additional Information

• Test results must be rounded off in accordance with IS 2:1960.
• Detailed test procedures are described in IS 12118 Part 2.

flowchart LR
    A[Two-Component Polysulphide Sealant] --> B[Part A: Polymer]
    A --> C[Part B: Curing Agent]
    B & C --> D[Mix Before Use]
    D --> E[Cures to Rubber-like Solid at Ambient Temperature]
    E --> F[Used in General Building Applications]
    F --> G{Extreme Conditions Present?}
    G -- Yes --> H[Perform Additional Tests]
    G -- No --> I[Proceed with Standard Usage]

Refer to IS 12118 Part 2 for comprehensive test methods and criteria.

IS 12118 Part 1: Sealant Types

• Two Distinct Grades:
  • Pouring Grade: Intended for horizontal joints; designed to flow and level smoothly under ambient conditions.
  • Gun Grade: Designed for vertical or inclined joints; formulated to resist sagging and maintain the applied profile.

Specifications Summary

Important Details

• Gun grade sealant must not slump more than 1.0 mm vertically.
• Pouring grade is optimized for ease of leveling in horizontal joints.
• Testing methods are detailed in IS 12118 Part 2, Clause 2 for flow and slump assessments.

flowchart LR
    A[Sealant Grades] --> B[Pouring Grade]
    A --> C[Gun Grade]
    B --> D[Horizontal Joints]
    B --> E[Flows to Smooth Surface]
    C --> F[Vertical/Inclined Joints]
    C --> G[Slump ≤ 1.0 mm]
    C --> H[No Horizontal Protrusion]

Material Selection Guidelines per IS 12118 Part 1

1. Material Specifications (Clause 5.1):

• Materials must comply with requirements outlined in Clauses 5.1.1 through 5.1.7.
• Testing procedures are described in Part 2 of the standard.

2. Gun Grade Sealant Requirements (Clause 2.2):

• Sealants categorized as gun grade must resist slumping at ambient temperature regardless of joint orientation.

3. Sampling & Lot Testing (Clauses 1.3 & 3.2):

• The number of packages to be sampled depends on the size of the lot, as shown in Table 1 (not fully excerpted).
• Lot acceptance requires all samples to meet the specified standards.
• Refer to Table A-3 for detailed testing and conformity criteria.

Example Sampling Table:

(Consult the full IS 12118 standard for precise values.)

Quick Reference Checklist for Selection:

• Verify that the sealant meets gun-grade slump resistance.
• Confirm compliance with Clauses 5.1.1 to 5.1.7.
• Conduct sampling according to lot size.
• Perform all prescribed tests per Part 2 methods.
• Declare lot conformity only if all tests are successful.

flowchart TD
    A[Start Material Selection] --> B{Is Sealant Gun Grade?}
    B -- Yes --> C[Verify Compliance with Clauses 5.1.1 - 5.1.7]
    C --> D{Do Tests Pass?}
    D -- Yes --> E[Approve Material]
    D -- No --> F[Reject Material]
    B -- No --> F

For complete information, consult IS 12118 Part 1 and Part 2.

Summary of Testing Conditions per IS 12118 Part 1

Essential Test Environment Parameters

• Curing Conditions:

  • Sealants cure at ambient temperature and humidity following manufacturer directions (Clause 3.1).
  • Application of primer systems is required where specified for particular substrates.

• Sample Handling:

  • Referee samples must be sealed by both purchaser and supplier.
  • Samples are stored in a cool, dry location mutually agreed upon (Clause 2.3).

• Storage and Mixing:

  • Components must remain mixable into compliant sealant prior to expiry under the stated storage conditions (Clause 4.2).

• Test Material:

  • Testing must use materials from unopened containers only (Clause 4.1).

Practical Test Parameters

flowchart TD
    A[Unopened Containers] --> B[Mix Components Before Testing]
    B --> C{Within Expiry Date?}
    C -- Yes --> D[Perform Tests]
    C -- No --> E[Reject Sample]
    D --> F[Sealant Cures Under Ambient Conditions]
    F --> G[Apply Primer if Specified]

This framework ensures test consistency aligned with IS 12118 Part 1.

Summary of Test Requirements per IS 12118 Part 1

Key Clauses and Testing Protocols

• Composite Sample Evaluation (Clause 3.1):
  All defined properties must be assessed on a composite sample representing the entire batch.

• Referee Sample Handling (Clause 2.3):

  • Must be sealed jointly by purchaser and vendor.
  • Stored in cool, dry conditions agreed upon for dispute resolution purposes.

• Shelf Life and Mixing (Clause 4.2):
  Sealant components must be mixable into compliant sealant prior to expiry under specified storage.

Sampling Quantities (Clause 1.3, Table A-1)

Testing Workflow Diagram

flowchart TD
    A[Lot of Packages] --> B[Select Sample Size per Table A-1]
    B --> C[Form Composite Sample]
    C --> D[Test All Required Properties]
    D --> E{Does Sample Meet Standards?}
    E -- Yes --> F[Lot Accepted]
    E -- No --> G[Dispute Resolution with Referee Sample]

This structure supports compliance with IS 12118 Part 1 testing mandates.

Marking and Packaging Details According to IS 12118 Part 1

Marking Requirements (Clauses 6.1 & 6.1.1)

• Sealants must display the manufacturer's name or trademark.
• Optionally, the BIS Standard Mark may be included to signify certification and quality assurance.

Packaging and Label Information (Clause 7.1)

Each container must be clearly labeled with:

• Manufacturer's name or trademark
• Net weight of each component
• Instructions for use and storage, including primer system details if applicable
• Sealant type and grade
• Date of manufacture
• Expiry date

Conformity Declaration (Clause 3.2)

• A lot is only declared conforming if all sample tests comply with the specified criteria.

Marking and Packaging Summary Table

flowchart TD
    A[Sealant Packaging] --> B[Display Manufacturer Name/Trademark]
    A --> C[Include BIS Standard Mark (Optional)]
    A --> D[Mark Component Weight]
    A --> E[Provide Usage and Storage Instructions]
    A --> F[Specify Sealant Type and Grade]
    A --> G[Indicate Manufacture Date]
    A --> H[Indicate Expiry Date]

For Standard Mark licensing, contact the Bureau of Indian Standards as referenced in the standard.

Packaging and Sampling Essentials from IS 12118 Part 1

Sampling of Packages (Clause 1.3 & Table A-1.3)

Sample quantities are determined by lot size:

• Sampling must be conducted randomly as per IS 4905:1968.

Packaging Label Requirements (Clause 7.1)

Packages must clearly state:

• Manufacturer’s name or trademark
• Component weights
• Usage and storage instructions, including primer system details
• Sealant type and grade
• Date of manufacturing
• Expiry date

Process Diagram for Packaging and Sampling

flowchart TD
    A[Package Lot] --> B[Identify Lot Size]
    B --> C{Lot Size Range}
    C -->|Up to 25| D[Select 2 Packages]
    C -->|26 to 50| E[Select 3 Packages]
    C -->|51 to 150| F[Select 5 Packages]
    C -->|Above 150| G[Select 8 Packages]
    D & E & F & G --> H[Random Selection per IS 4905:1968]
    H --> I[Verify Package Markings and Instructions]

This process supports quality control and traceability of sealant packaging.

Key Sampling Guidelines from IS 12118 Part 1

Sampling Scale (Clause 1.3, Table A-1)

Sampling Procedure (Clause A-2.1)

• From each selected package, obtain approximately equal amounts using appropriate sampling tools.
• Mix these to create a composite sample.
• The composite sample volume should suffice for conducting triplicate tests on all parameters.

Random Selection (Clause A-1.3.1)

• Packages must be chosen randomly following procedures specified in IS 4905:1968 to avoid bias.

flowchart TD
    A[Package Lot] --> B[Determine Sample Size per Table A-1]
    B --> C[Randomly Select Packages (IS 4905)]
    C --> D[Extract Equal Quantities from Each Package]
    D --> E[Combine into Composite Sample]
    E --> F[Conduct Triplicate Tests]

Summary: Sampling size is based on lot size, packages are randomly selected, equal amounts combined, and triplicate tests performed to ensure reliable results.

IS 12118 Part 1: Detailed Sampling for Two-Component Polysulphide Sealants

Highlights from Clause 8.1 and Appendix A:

• Sampling procedures are specified in Appendix A to guarantee representative testing.
• Samples must accurately reflect the batch composition.
• The sampling scale and methods ensure statistically valid results (refer to Appendix A for specifics).

Sampling Scale (Appendix A):

(Numbers may vary; consult the official standard for precise figures.)

Additional Details:

• Sealants should be tested with primer application if the manufacturer recommends it (Clause 3.1).
• Sealants are classified as:
  • Pouring Grade: For horizontal joints.
  • Gun Grade: For vertical or inclined joints such as glazing.

Process Summary:

• Collect representative samples according to batch size.
• Apply primer during testing if specified by the manufacturer.
• Follow curing instructions provided by the manufacturer.

flowchart TD
    A[Sealant Batch] --> B[Identify Batch Size]
    B --> C{Batch Size}
    C -->|≤50| D[Collect 2 Samples]
    C -->|51-150| E[Collect 3 Samples]
    C -->|151-500| F[Collect 5 Samples]
    C -->|>500| G[Collect 8 Samples]
    D & E & F & G --> H[Conduct Tests on Samples]
    H --> I{Is Primer Recommended?}
    I -->|Yes| J[Apply Primer per Manufacturer Instructions]
    I -->|No| K[Proceed Without Primer]
    J & K --> L[Perform Compliance Testing]

Refer to Appendix A of IS 12118 Part 1 for comprehensive sampling and testing instructions.