Joint sealants

Roads and airfields

Sealants in road and airfield pavings are used to seal joints and cracks against water penetration, which in turn by freezing can cause cracking of the surface. Loose paving material that is sucked into an airplane engine can cause serious damage or accidents.

Research

During the period from 1981 to 1988, an extensive research in the field of sealants for roads and airfields has been conducted by SP. The project has resulted in a performance test method, SP-method 0759, which simulates reality with regard to cold, heat, rain and associated synchronized movements. The method can be modified and can be an excellent tool for product development of new sealants for roads, bridges and airfields.

Test Method and Standard

The function test method (SP-method 0759) is since 2003 a European standard, EN 13880-7 for hot-applied sealants and EN 14187-9 for cold applied sealants. We have the opportunity to assist manufacturers and importers of these tests. We also perform according to the other methods in EN 14188-1 and EN 14188-2.

CE marking

The EN 14188 series of standrads contain specifications for CE marking of hot- and cold-applied sealants. In 2006, CE marking became mandatory for these products in several European countries and will be in the near future for the entire EU. The specifications contain a dozen different characteristics the producer / seller should state on the product data sheet.

The CE marking is of conformity system 4, which means that the producer / importer / marketer can perform all the required tests himself. However, a full documentation must be available at the time of sale.

Specifications for CE marking of preformed joint profiles are found in EN 14188-3. These products are unusual in Sweden but more common in central Europe.

Adhesion and cohesion

SP has specialized in the more technologically advanced tests for adhesion and cohesion properties, where we believe that many need support. Tests we perform by routine is:

• Functional Testing: EN 13880-7, EN 13880-10, EN 14187-9 and EN 14840 (section 4.8)
• Adhesion and bonding strength: EN ISO 9047, EN 28,340, EN ISO 8340 and EN 13880-13
• Chemical resistance: EN 14187-6 and EN 13880-8
• Ozone resistance: EN 14840 (ISO 1431-1)

Properties of joint sealants

Anyone who sells a product of joint sealant for roads or airfields at the European market should account for product characteristics. Download the list of required tests to the right of this page.

Construction industry

Joint sealants has a range of applications in the construction industry, for example:¨

• Joint sealants for expansion joints in facades and floor structures
• Roof waterproofing
• Installation of windows
• Wet areas
• Fire seals
• Sealing for insulating windows

Test Method and Standard

Requirements of joint sealants for construction applications are stated by the international standard ISO 11600. This standard includes a variety of tests we can perform. Since ISO 11600 do not contain any long-term durability, we have supplemented this with the SP method 4372. The method includes a test procedure to ensure the joint sealants function in different environments in a 25-year perspective and is primarily designed for our P-marking third part quality system.