Designation: C 661 06

Standard Test Method for

Indentation Hardness of Elastomeric-Type Sealants by
Means of a Durometer1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 661; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope indentor under load; they are not generally considered a

1.1 This test method describes a laboratory procedure for measure of abrasion or wear resistance of the sealant.
determining indentation hardness of joint sealing compounds, 5. Apparatus
(single- and multicomponent), intended for use in building
construction. 5.1 Durometer, Type A-2, with a dial graduated in units from
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 0 to 100. (See Test Method D 2240 for a description of the
standard. The values in parentheses are for information only. indentor and a method of calibration of the durometer.)
1.3 The committee with jurisdiction over this standard is not 5.2 Rectangular Brass Frame, with inside dimensions 130
aware of any comparable standards published by other orga- by 40 by 6 mm (approximately 5 by 112 by 14 in.).
nizations. 5.3 Aluminum Plates, two 16 to 24 gage, 80 by 150 mm
1.4 This standard does not purport to address the safety (approximately 3 by 6 in.).
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility 5.4 Thin-Bladed Knife.
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and 5.5 Chamber, capable of maintaining 38 6 2C (100 6
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory 3.5F) and 95 % relative humidity.
limitations prior to use. 5.6 Metal Straightedge.

2. Referenced Documents 6. Standard Test Conditions

2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 6.1 Unless otherwise specified by those authorizing the
C 717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants tests, standard conditions for test are room temperature: 23 6
D 2240 Test Method for Rubber PropertyDurometer 2C (73.4 6 3.6F) and 50 6 5 % relative humidity.
Hardness 7. Procedure
3. Terminology 7.1 Test for Hardness of Multicomponent Sealants:
3.1 DefinitionsSee Terminology C 717 for applicable 7.1.1 Condition at least 250 g of base compound and
definitions of the following terms: compound; elastomeric; appropriate amounts of curing agent for at least 24 h at
hardness; joint; sealant, non-sag; sealant, self-levling. standard conditions; then mix the components thoroughly for 5
min.
4. Significance and Use 7.1.2 Fill the brass frame, after centering it on the aluminum
4.1 The results obtained by this test method are simply a plate, with a portion of the conditioned compound and strike it
measure of the indentation into the sealant material of the off flat with a metal straightedge. Lift the frame from the
sealant after separating it by running a thin-bladed knife along
the inside of the frame. Prepare two such specimens and cure
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C24 on Building them for 14 days at standard conditions.
Seals and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.20 on
General Test Methods.
NOTE 1In the case of a self-leveling sealant or compound, do not lift
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2006. Published February 2006. Originally the brass frame until the sealant is sufficiently cured so that it will not
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as C 661 98. spread on the plate.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
7.1.3 At the end of the curing period, take three hardness
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page on readings on each specimen at standard conditions. Hold the
the ASTM website. durometer on the surface of the specimen and press it firmly

Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

1
 C 661 06
against the surface using a force of about 1.3 kgf (3 lbf). Keep 7.2.1 Condition at least 250 g of compound for a minimum
the pressure foot parallel to the surface of the specimen. Take of 24 h at standard conditions before starting the test.
the instantaneous indentation reading immediately after mak- 7.2.2 Center the brass frame on the aluminum plate and fill
ing firm contact between the pressure foot and the specimen. the opening with a portion of the conditioned compound,
After taking the first reading, shift the durometer (or specimen) striking the compound off flat with a straightedge. Lift the
to a new position in order to avoid errors due to fatigue and frame from the sealant after separating it by running a
surface effects from the previous indentation. Take readings on thin-bladed knife along the inside edge of the frame. Two such
smooth portions of the surface no closer than 13 mm (12 in.) specimens shall be prepared.
from the edges of the sealant pat and also no closer than 25 mm 7.2.3 Cure the test specimens for a total of 21 days as
(1 in.) from each other. Note the individual values, each follows: 7 days at standard conditions; 7 days in a chamber
rounded off to the nearest unit on the scale. controlled at 38 6 2C (100 6 3.5F) and 95 % relative
humidity; and 7 days at standard conditions.
NOTE 2The highest precision in this test can be obtained when the
durometer is supported by a rigid stand and a dead weight is fastened NOTE 4The manufacturer may request combinations of temperature
directly to the instrument with the center of gravity of the weight acting and relative humidity for curing purposes other than those specified,
in line of the indentor point. A freely acting total deadweight load of provided that (1) the curing period is not longer than 21 days and (2) the
approximately 1.3 kgf (3 lbf) has been found satisfactory for the testing of temperature does not exceed 50C (122F).
various sealants (Fig. 1).
NOTE 3The values obtained in the test method described in 7.1.3 are 7.2.4 At the end of the 21-day curing period, proceed as
known as instantaneous values. Occasionally a purchaser may request described in 7.1.3. (See Notes 2 and 3.)
delayed values such as these taken after a 5 or 10-s delay. To obtain a
delayed value the same procedure is followed, except that the pressure 8. Report
foot is allowed to rest on the surface of the sealant under the fixed load for
8.1 Report the following information for each specimen
the additional time requested and a reading is taken at the specified time,
for example, after 5 s, 10 s, or other specified period. Delayed readings are tested:
taken in addition to the instantaneous reading. An instrument with a 8.1.1 Tradename or other identification of the sealant.
maximum reading hand is helpful in making such determinations. 8.1.2 Description of the type of compound, such as whether
7.2 Test for Hardness of Single-Component Sealants: non-sag, self-leveling sealant, single- or multi-component,
color, etc.
8.1.3 Description of the curing conditions used in test.
8.1.4 Name and description of the durometer.
8.1.5 The six individual hardness values and the mean
value.
8.1.5.1 To determine the mean value, individual readings
with a variation of 15 % from the average value of the six
readings shall be discarded. If more than two readings are thus
discarded, a completely new set of six readings shall be taken.
8.1.6 The delayed reading values, if they are specified by
the purchaser.

9. Precision and Bias 3

9.1 The precision and bias calculations for this test method
are based on the results of four laboratories testing five sealants
performing the test five times for each sealant. The results are
given in Table 1.
9.2 In another series, ten laboratories tested three well-cured
sealants. All were cured by one laboratory and distributed and
tested on the same day by all ten laboratories. Two testing
devices were used on all three sealants (one hand held, one
fixed to a stand); all were calibrated. The results are given in
Table 2.
NOTE 5The key to the reproducibility between laboratories improv-
ing in 9.2 over 9.1 is the elimination of the variability of the cure cycle
from laboratory to laboratory. The data in 9.2 indicates the test can be
relatively precise if the cure cycle is identically repeated in each
laboratory. The usual case between laboratories may more closely be
represented by the statistics in 9.1.

FIG. 1 Type of Durometer Used to Measure Indentation Hardness 3

Supporting data are available from ASTM Headquarters. Request RR:
of Joint Sealants C241012 and C241015.

2
 C 661 06
TABLE 1 Precision and Bias Data from Four Laboratories for Five SealantsA
Estimated Standard Estimated Standard
Repeatability Reproducibility
Material Average Deviation Within a Deviation Between
(Internal) (Internal)
Laboratory Laboratories
G1 12.8 1.4 2.4 4.4 18.1
G2 36.2 3.5 4.0 6.2 16.0
G3 43.8 1.6 6.4 4.0 6.8
G4 25.7 3.6 7.8 10.1 22.0
G5 38.2 2.2 5.6 9.9 11.2
A
At 95 % confidence, the durometer as measured by this test method can vary 10 points within a laboratory and 22 points between laboratories.

9.3 The data using four test machines (two hand held, two 10. Keywords
on a stand), all on the same cure sealant in each at ten
10.1 elastomeric sealant; hardness
laboratories, is given in Table 3.

TABLE 2 Precision and Bias Data from Ten Laboratories for

Three Cured SealantsA
Estimated Standard Estimated Standard
Material Average Deviation Within a Deviation Between
Laboratory Laboratories
G2 40 2.3 2.6
G1 41 2.3 2.8
G3 71 1.4 2.0
A
At 95 % confidence a durometer can vary6 6 points within a laboratory and 68
points between laboratories.

TABLE 3 Precision and Bias Data from Ten Laboratories with

One Cured Sealant and Two Testing InstrumentsA
Estimated Standard
Material Average Deviation Between
Laboratories
G4 67 1.1
G2 70 2.1
G3 71 0.6
G1 71 1.6
A
At 95 % confidence, a durometer can vary6 6 points between laboratories
when different test machines are used.

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