Introduction 2

Product Offering 3
Structural Glazing Sealants 3
Weatherproofing Sealants 3
High Performance Weatherproofing Sealants 4
Primers 4
Surface Preparation Guide 5
Structural Silicone Glazing 6
Introduction 6
Structural Joint Design 6
Structural Bite 7
Deadload 7
Glueline Thickness 8
Structural Glazing Guidelines 10
Substrate Suitability 11
Project Review Services 12
Product Recommendations 12
Classification of Silicone Structural Glazing 14
Application Methods for Structural Glazing Systems 16
Surface Preparation and Sealant Application 19
Replacement and Remedial Glazing 24
Quality Assurance - Structural Applications 25
Documentation 31
Weatherproofing 37
Introduction 37
Joint Movement 37
Joint Types 38
Joint Design 39
Moving Joint Considerations 40
Joint movement in Shear 41
Movement During Cure 41
Backer Materials 42
EIFS Consideration 43
Weatherseal Design Examples 43
Surface Preparation and Sealant Application 51
Removal and Replacement of Existing Weatherseals 55
Quality Assurance - General 57
Documentation 61
 Dow Corning Asia Technical Manual

Introduction

This manual is intended to provide instructions to the development of a quality assurance

program for the application of Dow Corning silicone sealants for structural and weathersealing

systems. As construction projects vary in many aspects, such as design, customer requirements,

and environment, this manual cannot be considered a comprehensive quality assurance program

for all situations.

Product Offering
Structural Glazing Sealants
Dow Corning has a full line of high performance silicone structural sealants. These sealants should be selected
based upon the unique properties that each has for specific applications:

DOW CORNING 983 Silicone Glazing and Curtainwall Adhesive/Sealant

Description

DOW CORNING 983 Silicone Glazing and Curtainwall Adhesive/Sealant for structural bonding of glass, metal,
and other building components. DOW CORNING 983 Silicone Glazing and Curtainwall Adhesive/ Sealant cures
to a high modulus adhesive sealant with excellent adhesion to a wide range of substrates. Available in black.

DOW CORNING 993 Structural Glazing Sealant

Description

DOW CORNING 993 Structural Glazing Sealant for structural bonding of glass, metal, and other building
components. Meets ASTM, ISO, GB and European standard for structural glazing applications. DOW CORNING
993 Structural Glazing Sealant cures to a high modulus adhesive sealant with excellent adhesion to a wide range of
substrates. Available in black.

DOW CORNING 995 Silicone Structural Sealant

Description

DOW CORNING 995 Silicone Structural Sealant is a one-part, medium modulus, neutral curing silicone sealant
with superior unprimed adhesion for structural glazing applications. Available in black, gray and white.

DOW CORNING 795 Silicone Building Sealant

Description

DOW CORNING 795 Silicone Building Sealant is a one-part, medium modulus, neutral curing silicone sealant for
structural glazing and weathersealing. Available in a wide variety of colors.

Weatherproofing Sealants
Dow Corning has a full line of high performance weatherproofing sealants. These sealants should be selected
based upon the unique properties that each has for specific applications:

DOW CORNING 791 Silicone Weatherproofing Sealant

Description

DOW CORNING 791 Silicone Building Sealant is a one-part, medium modulus, neutral curing silicone sealant for
general weathersealing applications. Available in a wide variety of colors.

DOW CORNING 790 Silicone Building Sealant

Description

DOW CORNING 790 Silicone Building Sealant is a one-part, low modulus, neutral curing silicone sealant for use
in high movement weathersealing applications. DOW CORNING 790 Silicone Building Sealant has excellent
primerless adhesion to concrete and most porous substrates. Available in a wide variety of colors.

DOW CORNING 793T Silicone Glazing Sealant

Description

DOW CORNING 793T Silicone Glazing Sealant is a one-part, neutral curing silicone sealant for use in bolted
glazing application or any non-structural applications that translucent color is required. Available only in
translucent color.

High Performance Weatherproofing Sealants

DOW CORNING 991 Silicone Building Sealant H. P.

Description

DOW CORNING 991 Silicone Building Sealant H. P. is a one-part, medium modulus, neutral curing silicone
sealant designed specifically for the weathersealing of sensitive substrates where the aesthetic performance of the
sealant is important. The sealant is intended for porous natural stone and panels systems where staining and
residue rundown streaking must be minimized.

Primers
Dow Corning has a full line of high performance primers for sealants. Primers are used to enhance adhesion of
sealants to specific substrates.

DOW CORNING 1200 Prime Coat

Description

DOW CORNING 1200 Prime Coat is a one part, solvent based, silane primer for use with Dow Corning Sealants in
many applications. Available in clear and red.

DOW CORNING 1205 Prime Coat

Description

DOW CORNING 1205 Prime Coat is a one part, solvent based, film-forming primer for use with Dow Corning
Sealant on plastics and other substrates.

DOW CORNING Primer C

Description

DOW CORNING Primer C is a one-part, film forming primer for use with Dow Corning Sealants on painted and
plastic surfaces to promote fast adhesion.
Surface Preparation Guide
Substrate DC791 DC795 DC991 DC983 DC993 DC995
Brick NP-1 NP-1 NP-1 NA NA NA
Concrete P-1 P-1 P-3 NA NA NA
Mortar P-1 P-1 P-3 NA NA NA
EIFS NP-1 NP-1 NP-1 NA NA NA
Granite NP-1 NP-1 NP-1 NP-1 NP-1 NP-1
Travertine P-1 P-1 P-1 NA NA NA
Marble P-1 P-1 P-1 NA NA NA
Limestone P-1 P-1 P-1 NA NA NA
Glass NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2
Ceramic Tile NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2
Reflective Glass NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2
Acrylic Paint NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2
Silicone Polyester NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2
Polyurethane Paint NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2
Polyester Powder Coating NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2
PVDF Paint NP-2 P-2 NP-2 P-2 P-2 NP-2
Alodine Aluminum NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2
Anodized Aluminum NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2
Mill Finish Aluminum NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2
Copper NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2
Lead NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2 NP-2
Stainless Steel P-1 P-1 NP-2 P-1 P-1 NP-2
Galvanized Steel P-1 P-1 NP-2 P-1 P-1 NP-2

Surface Preparation Guide

Note: Dow Corning must test all materials for adhesion in Structural applications
Note: Field Adhesion Tests must be performed at the jobsite to verify sealant adhesion
NP-1 = Abrade/Dust
NP-2 = Solvent Clean using the Two-Cloth Cleaning Method
P-1 = Prime with Dow Corning 1200
P-2 = Prime with Dow Corning 1200 or Primer C for Structural Applications/Test for Weatherseal
Applications
P-3 = Prime with Dow Corning 1205
NA - Not Applicable or Not Tested
DNU = Do Not Use
Structural Silicone Glazing
Introduction
Silicone structural glazing utilizes a high performance silicone sealant to attach glass, metal, or
other panel materials to a metal frame in lieu of gaskets and mechanical attachments. The
windload stresses on the facade are transferred through the structural silicone sealant to the
structure of the building. The structural silicone sealant must maintain its adhesive and cohesive
properties in order to support the panels under windload.

Only silicone sealants are suitable for use in structural glazing applications. A considerable
amount of time has been spent developing and testing silicone sealants to meet the needs of
structural glazing application. Whenever a silicone sealant is used to structurally bond facade
panels, a comprehensive quality control procedure must be established to assure the smooth,
efficient, trouble-free completion of the project.

Specific quality control procedures must be followed on all structural glazing projects in order to
obtain a Dow Corning Structural Warranty.
Structural Joint Design
Structural Bite
Structural bite is the minimum width or contact surface of the silicone sealant on both the panel
and the frame. The structural bite requirement is directly proportional to the windload on the
building and the size of the glass. The higher the design windload and the larger the size of
the glass, the greater the structural bite requirement. The structural bite must be sized
appropriately to allow the windload on the glass or panel to be transferred to the structure.
The structural bite for windload (live load) is calculated using the specified windload, glass or
panel dimension and sealant design strength of 20 psi (140 kPa).

Structural Bite Calculation

Following is the calculation used to determine the required structural bite dimension:

Bite (in) = 0.5 x short span length (ft) x windload (psf)

12 in/ft x sealant design strength (20 psi)

For example, a 4' x 8' lite of glass, exposed to a 60 psf windload requires a silicone bite of 1/2".
Always round up to the nearest 1/16" and never round down.

Bite (mm) = 0.5 x short span length (mm) x windload (kPa)

Sealant design strength (140kPa)

For example, a 1219 mm x 2438 mm lite of glass, exposed to a 2.87 kPa windload requires a
silicone bite of 13 mm. Always round up to the nearest millimeter and never round down.

Deadload

In unsupported deadload designs, the weight of the panel places constant load on the sealant.
Dow Corning structural sealants can support the weight of the panel or glass when used within
the following guidelines:

* For DOW CORNING 795 Silicone Building Sealant, DOW CORNING 983 Silicone Glazing
and Curtainwall Adhesive/Sealant, DOW CORNING 993 Structural Glazing Sealant and DOW
CORNING 995 Silicone Structural Sealant the allowable deadload design strength is 1 psi or 7
kPa (700kg/m2)

The weight of the panel divided by the total silicone contact area must not exceed 1
psi, the deadload design strength of the sealant. Insulating glass unit
manufacturers require deadload support for their insulating glass units.
The deadload structural bite requirement (for 4 sided structural glazing case) is calculated as
follows:

Bite= weight of glass in lbs

glass perimeter in inches x sealant deadload design strength (1 psi)

For example, a 4' by 8' lite of monolithic glass at a weight of 3.3 psf will have a weight of 105.6
lbs and a glass perimeter 288 inches. Based on a 1 psi deadload design strength, a bite of 3/8"
is required.

Bite= weight of glass in kg

glass perimeter in meters x sealant deadload design strength (700 kg/m2)

For example, a 1.219 meter by 2.438 meter lite of monolithic glass at a weight of
14.8 kg/m2 will have a weight of 43.97 kg and a glass perimeter of 7.314 meters.
Based on 700 kg/m2 deadload design strength, a bite of 9 mm is required.

DEAD LOAD FORCE

Glueline Thickness

Proper glueline thickness facilitates the installation of sealant and allows reduced stress on the
structural joint resulting from differential thermal movement. A minimum glueline of 6mm (1/4")
is required, but as the structural bite increases, the glueline should be increased to allow the
sealant to be applied easily and the panel to expand and contract when subjected to thermal
movement. If structural bite requirements exceed 19mm (3/4") , the glueline thickness should
be increased to a dimension greater than 6mm (1/4"). To facilitate filling of the structural joint,
the bite to glueline thickness ratio should be maintained at 3 to 1 or less.

All panels that are structurally glazed undergo repeated expansion and contraction due to
variation in temperature. Glueline thickness must be properly designed to accommodate these
movements. The thermal movement can be calculated for any panel or framing member if the
length of the material, material type, (e.g. glass, aluminum) and coefficient of thermal expansion
(CTE) is known.

Joint movement for a particular panel can be calculated as follows:

Movement (mm) = panel length (mm) x CTE (mm./mm./ oC) x temperature change (oC)

For example, for a 2000mm by 2000mm high lite of glass fixed at the sill and a temperature
change of 60oC, glass with a CTE of 9 x 10 -6 will show movement of 1.08 mm. Aluminum
with a CTE of 23.2 x 10 -6 will move 2.78mm Differential movement between the glass and
aluminum will be 2.78mm minus 1.08mm or 1.7mm.

The dimension of glueline required (a) for the differential movement (b) can be calculated using
the Pythagoras Theorem. Likewise, the allowable movement (b) for a particular glueline
dimension (b) can also be calculated. The new glueline thickness (c) is limited by the
movement capability of the sealant in shear in a structural joint configuration
For the example discussed above where differential movement of 1.7mm (b) is expected, and the
sealant has an original glueline thickness of 6mm (a), the sealant will elongate to a new glueline
thickness of 6.236mm (c). Extension of the sealant from 6mm to 6.236mm will be 4%.

For DOW CORNING 995 Silicone Structural Adhesive and DOW CORNING 795 Silicone
Building Sealant, maximum extension from thermal expansion is 15% in any structural silicone
joint. For Dow CORNING 983 Silicone Glazing and Curtainwall Adhesive/ Sealant and Dow
CORNING 993 Structural Glazing Sealant, maximum extension from thermal expansion is 10%
in any structural silicone joint. The lower allowable movement capability in structural joints is
due to the joint design, where the joint width, or glueline is less than the joint depth or structural
bite. This is the reverse situation to weatherseals, which have higher movement capability.

Note: Coefficients of Thermal Expansion Values for common building materials are
available in the weatherproofing section of this technical manual.

Note: The direction of the panel movement would also need to be considered. Consider whether
thermal movement will take place in one direction due to the setting blocks preventing any
downward movement of the glass panel or in the case of an unsupported system where the
thermal movement can be taken by the glass in both directions. This will need to be taken into
consideration when designing the sealant joint dimensions.
Structural Glazing Guidelines

Following are general guidelines that should be followed for all structural glazing applications.
All exceptions must be handled on a project specific basis and documented in writing by the
Dow Corning Technical Service Representative.

* The structural bite must be a minimum of 6mm (1/4").

* The glueline thickness must be a minimum of 6mm (1/4").
* The structural bite must be equal to or greater than the glueline thickness.
* The bite to glueline ratio must be between 1:1 and 3:1.
* The structural sealant joint must be able to be filled using standard sealant application
procedures.
* The joint design must allow the sealant exposure to air so that it can cure and obtain its
ultimate physical properties.
* The structural sealant joint must be fully cured and adhered prior to removing temporary
fasteners in the field or moving curtainwall units in the shop.

All exceptions to these guidelines must be reviewed and approved by a Dow Corning
Technical Service Representative.

Substrate Suitability
When selecting aluminum substrates for structural glazing, the joint design and adhesion of the
structural silicone must be considered. A flat surface with no gasket races, key slots, serrations
or other irregularities is required. Some off-the-shelf extrusions may not be suitable for all
structural glazing applications. The width of the extrusion must be adequate to achieve the
calculated minimum structural bite with a suitable spacer attached.

Extruded mill finish aluminum is not an appropriate surface for structural silicone application
due to poor adhesion. The graphite lubricant used in the extrusion process causes a highly
variable surface to which adhesion is not always predictable. Therefore, aluminum must have a
minimum of an alodine finish for structural glazing applications. Anodizing and thermal set
paints such as fluorocarbon and polyester powder coat, are also suitable aluminum finishes. In
addition high-grade stainless steel (316) can also be specified, as verified by past adhesion tests
and actual projects.

Where substrates with non-typical surface finishes are specified, the customer should contact
Dow Corning for specific advice. Discussion will need to take place on the durability of any
substrate finish prior to its acceptance and use in structural applications. Independent
confirmation of the substrates stability/durability may be required. Dow Corning's adhesion
testing procedures, which confirms the adhesion characteristics of the sealant to the substrate,
does not in any way verify the durability of that substrate. Contact your Dow Corning
representative for further information.
In addition to suitability of substrates for adhesion, gasket and accessory materials
must be compatible with Dow Corning Sealants. The spacer material used in
structural glazing must be fully compatible with the structural silicone. Based on
historical testing, materials such as silicone, alcryn, polyurethane foam tape and
many vinyl extrusions are found to be compatible for full contact with structural
silicone. Other materials such as EPDM, neoprene, santoprene, krayton and other
similar organic materials are found to cause discoloration of light colored sealant.
These materials are often approved for incidental contact with the structural silicone
but are not approved for full contact as a structural spacer material. Because slight
discoloration of the lighter colored sealant will occur, typically only dark colored
sealants will be recommended for contact with these organic extrusions. Where
discoloration is severe, even incidental contact may not be approved

Project Review Services

Dow Corning professionals are available to assist you in selecting the best sealant for your
specific application. All Silicone Structural Glazing applications using DOW CORNING
Adhesive/Sealants must be reviewed on a project specific basis by our technical service staff
prior to any product selection. The review and testing must be successfully completed along
with factory or site QA documentation before Dow Corning will issue a warranty. A project
submission form is included with this manual for your use. Additional forms are available from
any Dow Corning representative. The following services are offered by Dow Corning.

Product Recommendations
After reviewing project drawings and specifications and having performed laboratory testing,
Dow Corning will assist in the selection of the correct DOW CORNING sealant/primer and/or
surface preparation for the specific application.
Print Review

Guidelines for silicone structural glazing details are provided in this section. Dow Corning must
review all structural details before any approval or acceptance is given. Typical horizontal and
vertical details, plus any non-typical details should be submitted for review. Also provide
elevations indicating glass dimensions and design windload values for the building. Dow
Corning has found that a few underlying principles are critical to consider in virtually all joint
designs using silicone sealants. Dow Corning will review joints for compliance with these
underlying design principles, provide suggestions or changes and/or identify limitations of the
designs. It will also allow Dow Corning's technical staff to check that all components that will
need to be tested as part of the project review have been supplied. This will include bonding
substrates, spacers, setting blocks, gaskets etc.
Adhesion Testing
Dow Corning will evaluate the adhesion of our product to materials representative
of those to be used on the job (i.e., glass, metal, masonry, composites, etc.) using a
modified ASTM C794 peel adhesion test. All samples submitted for testing should
be a minimum of 200mm (8 in) in length. For example, for aluminum extrusions,
supply one 200mm (8 in) sample for each sealant to be tested. For glass, one
standard 300mm by 300mm (12" by 12") sample is sufficient. Upon completion of
this testing, Dow Corning will forward in writing, product recommendation, surface
preparation, and primer recommendation (if needed). Testing takes 4 weeks from
receipt of samples.

Compatibility Testing
Chemically incompatible glazing accessories (gaskets, spacers, setting blocks, etc.) can lead to
sealant discoloration and/or loss of sealant adhesion to the substrate. To ensure a product's
suitability, Dow Corning tests the compatibility of job site representative accessory materials
with its silicone sealants using ASTM Cl087. For each sealant to be tested, supply 100 mm (4 in.)
minimum length of the gasket, spacer or setting block. Results of the compatibility test will be
forwarded in writing. Testing takes 4 weeks from receipt of samples.

Non-Stain Testing
If natural stone is being used on the project, Dow Corning can test and evaluate the performance
of its sealants to determine if fluid in the sealant has the potential to migrate into porous
substrates such as granite, marble, travertine and limestone. Job site representative samples of
the stone need to be tested using a modified ASTM C1248 procedure. For each stone type and
sealant to be tested, supply two samples of the dimension 25mm by 75mm (1" by 3") the
thickness of the stone. Larger samples can be cut for testing. Testing takes approximately 35
days from receipt of samples.

Other Test Requirements

Dow Corning can accommodate special, non-standard testing requirements. Please consult your
local Dow Corning Representative at the beginning of the project to determine whether Dow
Corning is capable of such testing services. Dow Corning may charge a service fee for
non-standard testing.

Any review, recommendation, or statement, made on behalf of Dow Corning relating to an

engineering design, architectural drawing, product formulation, end-use specification, or similar
document is limited to the knowledge of product properties as determined by laboratory testing
of material produced by Dow Corning. Any comments or suggestions relating to any subject
other than such product properties are offered only to call to the attention of the engineer,
architect, formulator, end-user or other person, considerations that may be relevant in his/her
independent evaluation and determination of the appropriateness of such design, drawing,
specifications, document or formula. Dow Corning assumes no responsibility for the comments
or suggestions relative to subjects other than such product properties, and expressly disclaims
any warranty or responsibilities for them.

Classification of Silicone Structural Glazing

2-Sided Structural Glazing

This method uses structural silicone sealant to support the glass on two sides (either
vertical or horizontal edges) and utilizing mechanical support on the other two sides.
Two-sided structural glazing can be fabricated in factory or on site.
4-Sided Structural Glazing

Glass is supported on all four sides with structural silicone. Structural silicone is used for
bonding all four edges of the glass to the support frame, and the deadload can either be
supported mechanically by a fin and setting block or by the structural silicone. It is generally
recommended that four-sided structural glazing be performed in shop.
Application Methods for Structural Glazing Systems
Factory (Shop) Glazing
Curtain walls assembled in a factory environment are assembled in individual units. This system
is referred to as unitized curtainwall. Factory construction of the curtainwalls provides a
controlled environment where proper surface preparation and sealant application procedures can
be maintained, and quality control programs can be implemented and documented. After the
units are assembled and sealant has been allowed to fully cure and develop adhesion, units are
shipped to the construction site where they are erected onto the building structure.

Site (Field) Glazing

Site glazing is a method that applies structural sealant directly at the construction site. Panels are
attached to the mullions and transoms, which are already attached to the structure. Site glazing
is suitable for 2-sided structural systems, but it is generally recommended that 4-sided systems
are factory glazed.

Temporary mechanical fasteners are required to firmly hold and prevent movement of the panels
until the structural sealant is fully cured and adhered.

NOTE: Special attention to cleaning and sealant application is required under the following
conditions:

* Occurrence of severe wind during application may cause undue stress on the curing structural
silicone
* Extremely high or low temperatures - optimum application temperature range is 10-35oC
(50-95oF). For applications below 10oC (50oF), the potential for dew point and frost must be
considered. For application in higher temperatures, sealant must not be applied when substrate
temperatures are in excess of 50oC (120oF)
* Rain contaminated joints - remove all moisture from the substrate surface, then solvent clean,
prior to glazing.

Structural Glass Systems (Bolted Glazing)

The structural glass or bolted glass system generally has holes drilled at each corner of a glass
element and a bolt is used to provide mechanical support for the glass and fixes the glass facade
to a metallic structure which is secured to the main structural member of the building. A high
quality silicone sealant is then used to provide the weatherseal between the glazing elements.

As a result of recent developments in silicone sealant technology insulating glass units can also
be installed using bolted glass technology. In this system a high performance silicone insulating
glass sealant is used to produce the hermetic edge seal of the insulating glass units. Silicones are
used due to their excellent resistance to ultra violet, which would attack organic based sealants.
Furthermore, high performance, structurally capable silicone insulating glass sealants used as
the hermetic edge seal can dispense with the need to drill the external glass element of the
insulating glass unit. In this design the internal glass is bolted back to the main structure, while
the external glass is structurally bonded to the inner glass around its perimeter.

One of the latest developments in structural glass design is the elimination of the bolted system
and the need to drill the glass by using structurally bonded patch plates as an alternative. Dow
Corning's range of structural adhesive sealants enable the designer to do away with the cost of
drilling of holes in glass and the use of very expensive stainless steel spider systems. This results
in a system that has a reduced cost of manufacture, increased visibility and improved aesthetics.
Structural Glass Systems are often referred to as structural glazing, which is often
confused with structural silicone glazing, as both techniques use this generic term.
Therefore, architects and specifiers should be sure of which system is being offered.
Total Vision Systems (Fin Glazing)
Total Vision or fin glazing is a system that is used to maximize the area of glass at the front of
the building, reducing the visible mechanical fixings and increasing the unobstructed vision area
of the facade. Total vision glazing is a two-sided structural glazing system, in which the glass is
normally mechanically fixed at head and sill and the vertical edges are structurally attached to
glass fins or mullions. The glass is bonded to the glass fin using Dow Corning structural silicone
sealants. The structure is then made watertight using Dow Corning weathersealing sealants. This
technique is widely used for lobbies, showrooms and racetracks where the unobstructed
visibility is an advantage.

Structural Attachment of Non-Glass Materials

Materials besides glass have been successfully attached to buildings with silicone sealants for
many years. The benefits of structural silicone have been used with materials such as thin
stone panels including granite or marble, ceramic tile, plastic and aluminum composite materials.
In all cases, Dow Corning has performed extensive testing of specific materials prior to
approving the use if its sealant as a structural adhesive. The durability of the non-glass
material must be evaluated to determine its suitability for this application.

Certain materials such as plastics may have high coefficients of thermal expansion that may
cause undue stress on the structural silicone and/or bowing of the panels. Dow Corning must
review all designs whether glass or non-glass materials where its sealants are used as structural
adhesives.

For aluminum composite materials that are mechanically attached around the perimeter and the
sealant is used to attach an aluminum stiffener, Dow Corning permits glueline thickness
dimensions of less than 6 mm (1/4"). In this application, there is a negligible amount of
differential movement between the two aluminum components and shear stress on the sealant is
minimal.
Sloped Glazing
Sloped glazing is a form of structural glazing used in skylights and similar non-vertical
applications. Conventional structural glazing guidelines can be followed for slope glazing with
few modifications. The structural glazing calculation takes into account the weight of the glass
counteracting the negative design windload on the building (inward sloping). The flatter the
slope of the glazing system, the greater the reduction in the windload effect on the structural
joint.

Local codes typically require the use of laminated glass to protect individuals within the
structure. Edge delamination of laminated glass with polyvinyl butyrol (PVB) may delaminate
up to 6 mm (1/4") from contact with any sealant. Please contact the laminated glass
manufacturer for more information on this matter.

For many slope-glazed systems, the glass sets on a gasket and the structural joint is installed to
the edge of the glass. The sealant in this application acts as both the structural seal and the
weatherseal. Dow Corning permits the use of its sealants in this manner provided that the joint
maintains an aspect ratio of 1 to 1 where the depth of the sealant is equal or greater than the
width of the joint opening. The structural bite in this design is the depth of the joint along the
edge of the glass. The sealant in this design must be structurally attached to a fin that can
support the structural load on the glass. Glass tolerances must be considered.

Protective Glazing Systems

Dow Corning offers products that have successfully been used in protective glazing systems
designed to meet the demands of missile impact and bomb blast testing. The demands of
missile impact and bomb blast testing are great on any sealant. The sealant is only one
component of a glazing system that includes the framing system, glass and laminate. In missile
impact testing required to withstand flying debris from hurricanes and windstorms, the glazing
must stay intact through either a small or large missile impact. The sealant then must "anchor"
the laminated glass through repeated wind cycles that duplicate a hurricane. For bomb blast
glazing, the sealant must also anchor the laminated glass through an air blast explosion.

Both DOW CORNING 983 Silicone Glazing and Curtainwall Adhesive/Sealant, Dow
CORNING 993 Structural Glazing Sealant and Dow CORNING 995 Silicone Structural Sealant
have the high strength and tear propagation properties required to pass either missile impact or
bomb blast test requirements. Numerous glazing systems have successfully passed both tests
with these three products. Due to the complexity of the designs of these protective glazing
systems, please contact Dow Corning Technical Service for assistance in how to best use Dow
Corning sealants in these systems.
Insulating Glass
Insulating glass units are widely used in structurally glazed facades to improve the thermal
performance of a facade. By using insulating glass units architects and specifiers can increase
the areas of glass that can be used on a facade without compromising the thermal performance
of the building. This allows the designer much greater scope when designing a building facade,
using the latest building materials and concepts.

When using IG units in any structurally glazed façade, specifically developed Dow Corning
silicone IG sealants should be used. These sealants provide a hermetic seal that is resistant to
attack from ultra violet light while at the same time providing a structural seal that structurally
bonds the outer glass of the IG unit to the inner glass. Therefore, providing a system that is
structurally bonded from the outer glass of the IG unit through to the building structure. Silicone
sealants are the only products that are specified in national and international standards for this
application. Not only does the silicone IG sealant provide structural integrity for the IG unit it
also firmly holds the two glass elements together and prevents damage to the primary PIB
(polyisobutylene) seal, which controls the ingress of moisture into the unit. Dow Corning
products have a proven track record in this application.

Surface Preparation and Sealant Application

Introduction
The Dow Corning application procedures outlined in this manual describe the general
requirements for installing DOW CORNING Silicone Building Sealants. By following these
procedures closely, you will help ensure good sealant performance. To be eligible to receive a
Dow Corning warranty, these procedures must be followed. Since DOW CORNING Silicone
Building Sealants are applied in many different environments and situations, these procedures
are not intended to be a complete and comprehensive quality assurance program.

Following are the basic steps required for proper structural sealant joint preparation and sealant
installation:

1. Cleaning - joint surfaces must be clean, dry, dust free, and frost free
2. Priming - if required based on testing, primer must be applied to the cleaned surfaces
3. Applying Sealant - sealant is applied by "pushing the bead" into the structural joint cavity.
4. Tooling Sealant - sealant is tooled into the structural joint to ensure it wets out
and contacts both sides of the joint and the spacer without any voids in the sealant
joint
Substrate Cleaning Procedure
This section provides information on cleaning solvents and general cleaning procedures for
porous and non-porous substrates. One of the key requirements of good sealant adhesion is a
clean surface. Proper cleaning is accomplished through the use of the "two-cloth" cleaning
method. Always confirm with the supplier of the each substrate that the cleaning procedures and
solvents are compatible with their material.

Organic Solvent Usage

The proper use of solvents is an important part of the surface preparation requirements for
substrates that are to be structurally bonded. Solvents all differ in their effectiveness in removing
certain contaminants. Dow Corning will test with the specific solvents selected and cleaning and
priming recommendations will be based on the use of this solvent.

Please be aware that certain aggressive solvents can adversely affect finishes such as polyester
powder coated aluminum. Therefore, mild and high quality white spirit (greater than 98% pure)
can be used without damaging the substrate surface. Check with the substrate supplier for
solvent compatibility with their materials.

Please follow the solvent manufacturer's safe handling recommendations and local, state and
national regulations regarding solvent usage

Non-Porous Substrate - Solvent Considerations

Non-porous surfaces must be cleaned with a solvent before the sealant is applied. The solvent
used will depend on the type of dirt or oil to be removed and the substrate to be cleaned.
Non-oily dirt and dust can usually be removed with a 50 percent solution of isopropyl alcohol
(IPA) and water, pure IPA or methylated spirit. Oily dirt or films generally require a degreasing
solvent such as xylene, or white spirit.

Porous Substrates - Solvent Considerations

Porous stone substrates such as granite or marble might not be sufficiently cleaned by solvent
cleaning. Depending on the condition of the surface, porous substrates may require abrasion
cleaning, solvent cleaning or both. Laitance and surface dirt must be completely removed.

High pressure water blasting is an effective cleaning method, or a bristle brush with running
water may suffice. Porous materials will trap water or solvents after cleaning or priming. Hence
water or solvents used for cleaning must be allowed to evaporate completely before sealant is
applied.
"Two-Cloth" Cleaning Method
Clean, soft, absorbent, lint-free cloths along with the appropriate choice of solvent must be used.
The two-cloth cleaning method consists of a solvent wipe followed by a dry cloth wipe to lift
and remove the solvent and contaminants suspended in the solvent. Multiple cleanings may be
required to properly clean a substrate.

1. Pour or dispense an acceptable cleaning-grade solvent onto the cloth. A plastic

(solvent-resistant) squeeze bottle works best for organic cleaning solvents. Do not dip the cloth
into the container of solvent, as this will contaminate the cleaning agent.
2. Wipe vigorously to remove contaminants. Check the cloth to see if it has picked up
contaminants. Rotate the cloth to a clean area and re-wipe until no additional dirt is picked up.
3. Immediately wipe the cleaned area with a separate clean, dry cloth before the solvent has
evaporated. This technique will allow dirt and contaminants suspended in the solvent to be lifted
and removed with the second dry cloth. Multiple cleanings may be required to adequately clean
a substrate.

Organic solvent must be removed with the dry cloth before the solvent evaporates
or the cleaning will be less effective. Some surfaces or weather conditions will
allow a small amount of residual organic solvent to remain. If this is the case, the
surface must be allowed to dry before continuing with the sealant installation.

Primer Application Procedure

DOW CORNING Primers should be applied in the following manner only to surfaces that have
been properly cleaned and are dry and free of frost:

1. Apply masking tape to the surfaces next to the joint to keep excess primer and sealant off
areas where they are not intended.
2. Pour primer into a small, clean container and replace and tighten the cap on the primer can to
prevent exposure to atmospheric moisture that will contaminate the primer. Do not pour more
than a 10-minute supply into the container at a time to ensure that primer does not get
contaminated.
3. Depending on the substrate and job conditions, two different methods can be used to apply
the primer. The preferred application is to dip a clean, dry, lint-free cloth into the small
container of primer and gently wipe a thin film onto the surface. For "hard-to-get-to" areas and
rough surfaces, apply the primer in a thin film with a clean brush.
Caution: Over priming can cause adhesion loss between the sealant and the primer. If too much
primer has been applied, a powdery, chalky, dusty film will form on the surface. Excess primer
should be removed by dusting the joint with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth or a non-metallic bristle
brush
4. Allow the primer to dry until all the solvent evaporates. This typically takes 5 to 30 minutes,
depending upon the temperature and humidity.
5. Inspect the surface for dryness. If too much primer has been applied, a powdery, chalky, dusty
film will form on the surface. In this case, remove excess primer with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth
or a non-metallic bristle brush before applying sealant.
6. The surface is now ready for application of the sealant. Sealant must be applied
the same day the surfaces are primed. Any surfaces primed but not sealed on the
same day must be covered to prevent contamination or re-cleaned and re-primed
before applying sealant.

Sealant Application Procedure

After cleaning and priming (if required), the sealant may then be gunned into the sealant joint.
The spacer may already be in place during the cleaning and priming process or it may need
to be installed after the metal substrate has been cleaned and primed. The glass is typically
cleaned before it is put in position. It is critical that the sealant fills the entire joint or
cavity and firmly contact all surfaces intended to adhere to sealant. If the joint is improperly
filled, good adhesion will not be achieved, and sealant performance will be weakened. This
is critical since the effectiveness of the silicone in structural applications is largely
dependent on the sealant bite (contact area).

Sealant should be applied as follows:

1) Masking tape should be used to keep excess sealant from contacting adjacent areas where it is
not intended to ensure an aesthetically pleasing job.
2) Apply the sealant in a continuous operation using a caulking gun or pump. A positive
pressure, adequate to fill the entire joint width, should be used. This can be accomplished by
"pushing" sealant ahead of the application nozzle. Care must be taken to ensure complete fill of
the sealant cavity. This is critical since the effectiveness of the silicone in structural applications
is largely dependent on the sealant bite (contact area).
3) Tool the sealant with firm pressure before a skin begins to form (typically 10 to 20 minutes).
Tooling forces the sealant against the spacer and the joint surfaces.
Do not use liquid tooling aids such as water, soap or alcohols. These materials may interfere
with sealant cure and adhesion and create aesthetic issues.
4) Remove the masking tape before the sealant skins over (within about 15 minutes of tooling).

Setting Procedure
Many of the specific requirements of glazing are beyond the scope of this guide. For detailed
information, a guide such as the Glazing Association of North America (GANA) Glazing
Manual should be consulted. Some general rules to follow when using silicone sealant in glazing
applications are as follows:

1. Care must be taken to ensure that joint surfaces that have been prepared are not contaminated

2. In some field glazing applications, the silicone may not be applied the same day the glass is
set. Joint preparation (cleaning and priming) must be accomplished immediately prior to
applying the silicone.
3. Temporary fasteners or clips must be used to retain the structurally glazed lites or
panels until the silicone has fully cured. A two-sided adhesive tape, used as the
structural spacer, may be considered sufficient temporary support provided the tape
manufacturer has approved the use of their product for this application.

Sealant Cure Requirements

In all silicone structural glazing applications, the silicone must be fully cured and adhered before
the adhesive is stressed. The exact time can be determined by fabricating several small samples
that replicate the joint design of the units. These test specimens should be cured along the
curtainwall units. These samples can be cut apart to determine the degree of cure as a function of
time. These samples would also be used to check the adhesion of the sealant to the substrates.
Full frame deglazes are also used to determine time to full cure, plus to test adhesion and joint
fill (structural bite).

Construction Site (field) Glazing

Temporary support of adjoining materials must be used during the cure of the structural silicone
sealant. This is to prevent any stress on the sealant prior to full development of sealant adhesion
and strength. DOW CORNING 995 and DOW CORNING 795 typically require up to 28 days
cure depending on joint size, temperature, and relative humidity.

Factory (shop) Glazing - One Component Silicone

If DOW CORNING 995 or DOW CORNING 795 is used, complete cure of the silicone must be
achieved before the units are moved or stressed in any way. This will require up to 28 days.

Factory (shop) Glazing - Two Component Silicone

DOW CORNING 983 and DOW CORNING 993 cures in deep section within 3 hours and
generally achieves full adhesion within 24 hours. However, time to full cure depends on joint
design, substrate type, temperature and humidity. For example, adhesion to a metallic
fluorocarbon may take several days to achieve full adhesion. Another consideration is the effects
of temperature over the course of a large project. Full adhesion may occur in 24 hours when the
project starts in mid summer, but may drift out to 48 hours as the temperature decreases in
winter. Cure and adhesion rate development can be improved through the use of specific primers,
such as DOW CORNING 1200 Primer or Primer C on fluorocarbon paints, the silicone must not
be stressed until full adhesion has developed. It is preferable to allow horizontally glazed units
to remain on the fabrication tables until full adhesion develops. Adhesion testing should be
carried out to confirm that full adhesion has been achieved. Once full adhesion is verified, units
may be moved.

When multiple substrates are glazed on one unitized panel, special attention must be
given to the support requirements of each substrate.
Replacement and Remedial Glazing
Glass breakage may occur during any phase of construction or long after a building is completed.
How a system will be reglazed is an important design consideration.

The specifics will vary from project to project. Always contact your Dow Corning representative
for specific advice. Following are some general guidelines regarding the silicone that should
remain common to most of the projects.

Replacement Glazing Due to Individual Unit Breakage

The following procedure assumes that a DOW CORNING structural adhesive was originally
used on the project, and that the original recommendations are available to the contractor
performing the repairs.

If this information is not available, contact your Dow Corning representative, who may need to
determine whether Dow Corning products have been used on the site.

1. Perform a field adhesion test to confirm the adhesion of the existing silicone to the substrates.
If excellent adhesion is not observed, contact your Dow Corning Representative immediately.

2. Deglaze the area. Depending on the joint design, this may require specially designed tools or
piano wire to cut behind the silicone.

3. Cut away the silicone, leaving a thin film (approximately 0.5-1mm thick) of adhesive on the
frame. Do not damage the surface finish of the substrate.

4. Clean the residual sealant with solvent using the two-cloth cleaning technique described
previously. If fresh sealant will be applied immediately after cutting the cured sealant, then
cleaning of the residual cured sealant may not be necessary.

5. Fresh sealant will adhere to cured sealant without primer.

6. The silicone may absorb some solvent. Allow this solvent to evaporate so the existing cured
sealant is completely dry before applying additional sealant.

7. Clean the new glass or panel and set in place. Install temporary fasteners. Mask the joint.

8. Fill the joint with a bead of fresh structural sealant. Refer to the sealant application procedures
section of this manual.

9. After the sealant has fully cured, check that full adhesion has been achieved and then remove
the temporary fasteners.

Note: In some instances, the structural joint cannot be accessed once the glass has
been set. In such instances, the sealant can be applied directly to the frame and the
glass set in place compressing the sealant in the joint. The joint must be filled in
excess with sealant and the glass must be set within 10 minutes or before the sealant
begins to skin. Under filled structural joints are workmanship issues. It is the
responsibility of the sealant applicator to ensure proper joint fill. Dow Corning will
review and comment upon reglazing procedures.

Replacement Glazing Due to System Failure

If the scope of reglazing involves a major remedial operation, please consult with your Dow
Corning Representative as early in the planning process as possible. Remedial glazing utilizing
silicone structural adhesives most typically occurs when a conventionally glazed building has
experienced leakage problems and the entire curtain wall is refaced. In any major remedial
situation, it is very important to assess the problem with the system and carefully record dates
and locations of specific failures.

Quality Assurance - Structural Applications

Dow Corning performs extensive quality assurance testing in our manufacturing facilities in
accordance with rigid ISO 9000 standards. This section is intended to provide the end-user with
simple screening tests to verify that the material, as received at the job site, has not been abused
or damaged in transit.

One-Part Sealants
The following procedure outlines a series of steps to ensure that the quality of the DOW
CORNING 995 Adhesive or DOW CORNING 795 Adhesive is adequate for structural sealant
applications.

Shelf Life and Storage Conditions

DOW CORNING 995 Adhesive must be stored at temperatures below 32oC (90oF). The "use
by" date is clearly displayed on the product packaging.

DOW CORNING 795 Adhesive must be stored at temperatures below 27oC (80oF). The "use
by" date is clearly displayed on the product package.

Skin-Over Time/Elastomeric Test

For one-part sealants, a skin-over and elastomeric test should be performed once per week and
on every new lot of sealant used. The purpose of the test is to check the sealant's working time
and to ensure the sealant cures fully. Any great variation (excessively long times) in the
skin-over time may indicate an out-of-shelf life sealant.

This test is performed as follows:

a) Spread a bead of sealant into a 1 mm film on a polyethylene sheet.

b) Every few minutes, touch the sealant film lightly with a tool.
c) When the sealant does not adhere to the tool, the sealant is said to have skinned over. Note the
time required to reach this point. If a skin has not formed within 3 hours, do not use this material
and contact your Dow Corning representative.
d) Allow the sealant to cure for 24 hours. After 24 hours, peel the sealant off the polyethylene
sheet. Stretch the sealant slowly to see that it has cured. Release the stretched sealant and check
to approximately the original length. If the sealant has not cured, contact your Dow Corning
Project Manager.
e) Record the results in the project log book. This testing must be completed and
results recorded, retained and available for review upon request. A project quality
control log for recording test results is available at the end of this manual.

Multi-Component Sealants

Shelf Life and Storage Conditions

DOW CORNING 983/993 Structural Glazing Silicone Sealants must be stored at temperatures
below 32oC (90oF). A "use by" date is clearly displayed on both the base and catalyst
packaging.

Application Temperatures: DOW CORNING 983/993 Silicone Glazing and

Curtainwall Adhesive/Sealants
DOW CORNING 983/993 Silicone Glazing and Curtainwall Adhesive/Sealants is a two part
structural glazing adhesive intended for in-shop fabrication of structurally glazed curtainwall
units and panel systems. The product has an adjustable cure rate to compensate for handling
difficulties during gradual cooling or warming trends due to seasonal changes. However this
product should not be used in unheated shops during the winter.

Hence, it is recommended that DOW CORNING 983 /993 Silicone Glazing and Curtainwall
Adhesive/Sealants be applied between temperatures of 12 to 35oC (50 to 95oF). Variable
adhesion properties have resulted when the product was applied to curtainwall units in an
unheated shop during the winter. The variable adhesion resulted in the reglazing of hundreds of
frames at an exorbitant expense of both time and money.

Mix Ratio for DOW CORNING 983/993 Silicone Glazing and Curtainwall
Adhesive/Sealant
The recommended mix ratio for DOW CORNING 983 Silicone Glazing and Curtainwall
Adhesive/Sealant is between 12:1 to 14:1 by weight or 8.8:1 to 10:1 by volume.

The recommended mix ratio for DOW CORNING 993 Silicone Structural Glazing Sealant is
between 9:1 to 12:1 by weight or 7.1:1 to 9.5:1 by volume.
Dispensing Equipment for DOW CORNING 983/993 Silicone Glazing and Curtainwall
Adhesive/Sealant

DOW CORNING 983/993 Silicone Glazing and Curtainwall Adhesive/Sealants requires a plural
component meter-mixing device. This two-part sealant pump is available from Graco, H&G
Industries, Reinhardt Technik and Lisec. For further information on the advantages and
disadvantages, the reader is encouraged to discuss this with the distribution network of each of
these pump manufacturers.

The two-part sealant pumps available all require maintenance and trained operators. It is beyond
the scope of Dow Corning as a sealant supplier to provide pump maintenance, spare parts and
troubleshooting. The quality control program recommended by Dow Corning, including snap
time, butterfly test, shop adhesion testing and deglazing will show pump problems. Sporadic cure
rate, non- uniform color, and uneven hardness of the finished sealant are issues generally
associated with the pump.

DOW CORNING 983/993 Silicone Glazing and Curtainwall Adhesive/Sealant will work only
when it is metered and mixed without incorporation of air. This requires a properly maintained
pump with qualified trained operators.

If a pump has been idle between projects, it is suggested that a thorough cleaning and refurbishing
of maintenance items be performed. This can be done with the assistance of the pump
manufacturer or their distributor.

Dispensing equipment must be used to airlessly meter and mix DOW CORNING 983/993
Silicone Glazing and Curtainwall Adhesive/Sealant. The specific operation and maintenance of
the pump is beyond the scope of this document. The applicator must have a start-up, shutdown,
and maintenance procedure for the pump to properly apply structural glazing adhesives.

When starting the pump, the curing agent line should be opened and material pumped through the
line until the sealant exiting the dispensing gun ceases to be white or streaked. Instead, it should
be a consistent black color, indicating a mix of the base and curing agent components.

Before shutting down the pump, the static mixer and hoses should be purged with base material
and cleaned with an approved cleaning solvent. The amount of wasted material resulting from the
start-up and shutdown of the pump varies with the type of pumping equipment used.

As the volume of the hose after the static mixer location decreases, so will the amount of wasted
material resulting from start-ups and shutdowns.

Quality control testing to be performed on start up of the equipment includes the butterfly test
and the snap-time test. Descriptions of each will follow. Results of these tests must be
recorded in a log similar to the example in the documentation section.
Butterfly Test
The butterfly test must be performed every time the pump is started up, including start-ups that
occur after extended breaks. The purpose of this test is to check for an adequate mix of base and
curing agent components.
The test is performed as follows:
a) Fold a piece of plain white paper.
b) Apply a minimum 150mm (6") bead of DOW CORNING 983/993 Structural Glazing
Silicone Sealant to the crease or fold in the paper.
c) Press the paper together, smearing the sealant bead to a thin film.
d) Pull the paper apart and visually inspect the sealant smear formed.
e) Properly mixed material should have no white streaks of unmixed base. If streaks are present,
then more material must be pumped through the lines to improve the mixing quality. If the
sealant smear is a consistent black color, the sealant is properly mixed and ready for use.
f) If gray or white streaks continue, equipment maintenance may be needed. Cleaning or
changing the mixing system, dispensing hose, dispensing gun, or ratio system ball check valves
can often correct this problem. Consult the equipment manufacturer for maintenance
requirements. Under no circumstances should streaked material be used for production.
Snap Time Test
Once full mix of the two-part sealant (as confirmed by the butterfly test) is achieved, a snap-time
test should be performed. This test must be performed on a daily basis. Snap time is an indicator
test that can vary from technician to technician. The snap-time test relates the base-to-catalyst
mix ratio to the cure rate of the sealant, and provides an indication of working time and deep
section cure. The snap-time test is performed as follows:

a) -Fill a small container with DOW CORNING 983/993 Structural Glazing Silicone Sealant.
b) -Place a stick, pencil, or spatula into the sealant. (Wooden chopsticks or paint stirring sticks
work well). Note the time.
c) -Every 5 to 10 minutes, pull on the stick. Do not stir the sealant or incorporate air into the
mixed sealant.
d) -If the sealant does not tear within itself (cohesively) when the stick is pulled out, the sealant
has not snapped. The time at which the sealant tears cohesively when the stick is pulled out
is termed the "snap time". Note the snap time in a log.
e) The snap time will vary depending on atmospheric conditions, temperature, humidity and the
individual doing the test. A snap time varying more than 45 minutes from what is expected
may indicate an equipment or sealant problem. Such problems include plugged hoses,
clogged filters, bad check valves or out-of-shelf-life sealant. Consult Dow Corning and the
pump manufacturer before continuing to use this material.
Note: The snap time listed above are tested under 25oC and 50% RH. Temperature and
humidity will have an effect on snap time.

Regardless of the results of the snap time tests, ultimately one should only be concerned if the
sealant does not cure. Assuming that the sealant does cure, it is most important that the sealant
develops adhesion to the substrate. Snap time test is an indicator and should be considered as a
part of an overall quality assurance program.

Movement of Structurally Glazed Units

Once a structurally glazed unit has been sealed it needs to be stored and left until the sealant has
cured and adhesion has been built up between the sealant and the substrates used. It must be
understood at this stage that the cure of the sealants and the adhesion build up are not linked.
Therefore if a sealant has reached full cure, this does not necessarily mean that full adhesion has
been achieved to the substrates. This is particularly true of two-part sealants. Therefore, it is
critical that the curtainwall units be allowed sufficient time for adhesion to develop before units
are subjected to stress.

Shop/Site Adhesion Testing

Dow Corning requires that adhesion tests be performed on representative production
substrates in the shop as a means to verify adhesion of actual production units.
Quality Control adhesion tests are not a substitute for unit deglazing but only provide
an ongoing means to continuously monitor adhesion in a non-destructive manner.

Peel-in-Adhesion Test
Peel-in-adhesion tests are required as a means to verify sealant adhesion on production materials.
Peel-in-adhesion testing should be performed as follows:

1. Prepare the substrate with the solvent and primer used in production.
2. Apply a 100 to 150mm (4 to 6 inch) bead of DOW CORNING 983/993 Silicone Glazing and
-------- Curtainwall Adhesive/Sealant.
3. Set a 25mm (1") wire mesh screen into the wet sealant. The thickness of sealant between the
screen and substrate should be maintained at approximately 3mm (1/8").
4. Apply a bead of sealant on the surface of the screen and tool the sealant to an approximate
3mm (1/8") thickness on the top surface of the screen. The total thickness of the sealant
should be approximately 6mm (1/4").

The sealant should be applied to each representative substrate. Sealant samples should be
peeled back at the time increment that the units are to be moved. Units may be moved in as
little as 4 hours but typically cure times are from 1 to 7 days. At the time that curtainwall units
may be subjected to stress on the structural silicone, either during transit in the shop or to the
jobsite, the sealant must have achieved 100% cohesive failure to each of the substrates that
adhesion is required. Only after the sealant has achieved 100% cohesive failure can significant
stress be applied to the structural joint. Peel-in-adhesion test results should be correlated with
results from deglazing of actual production units.

The tests described above must be performed to verify that adhesion of structural silicone is
obtained before curtainwall units are transported to a jobsite and erected on the building.
These are daily tests and are intended to verify that all surfaces that require structural adhesion
have obtained adhesion before units leave the factory. Adhesion time of two-component
structural sealants can vary with conditions of lower temperature and humidity and units that do
not have full adhesion can lose adhesion during transportation if adhesion is not verified prior to
shipment. Curtainwall units should not be subjected to stress unless the sealant has developed
full adhesion. Dow Corning should be consulted for recommendations in determining the
appropriate handling of structurally glazed curtainwall units.

Deglazing
Deglazing is carried out on glass or panel, and frame, which use structural silicone attachment.
Deglazing is a method of quality inspection used to confirm good adhesion and proper fill of the
structural joint. Deglazing on silicone structural glazing projects is an excellent quality control
procedure. Deglazing involves completely detaching the panel from the frame. The structural
silicone sealant should be tested for adhesion to both the panel and the frame. The surface of the
panel and/or frame must not be damaged to obtain the best inspection.

The inspection should include the following:

a) Size of Structural Bite

b) Size of Structural Glueline
c) Adhesion of Silicone Sealant with Panel and Frame
d) Joint type/Condition of Sealant applied
e) Appearance of the sealant/uniformity of color/bubbles, etc.
Deglazing Frequency
Deglazing should be performed according to the following schedule:

a) First Deglaze - 1 unit out of the first 10 units manufactured (1/10)

b) Second Deglaze - 1 unit out of next 40 units manufactured (2/50)

c) Third Deglaze - 1 unit out of next 50 units manufactured (3/100)

d) From the fourth deglaze, 1 unit out of every 100 units manufactured thereafter.

In other words, deglazing should occur at a rate of 3% for the first 100, and 1% thereafter.
Deglazing frequency can be changed under mutual agreement, on a case-by-case basis. The
terms and conditions of warranty are not affected by any mutually agreed upon change in
deglazing frequency.

Documentation
Suggested logs referred to in this manual are provided on the following pages. In the event of a
warranty claim or inspection, these must be available for review by Dow Corning, curtainwall
consultant and/or the local building official.

Therefore, it is suggested that these logs be kept together with the project file. A hard cover
logbook may be preferential to copies of the logs suggested here. A quality assurance engineer
should be responsible for documenting this data on a job-to-job basis. All curtainwall units must
be numbered so the sealant installation dates, sealant lot numbers, and quality assurance testing
can be obtained from the project log. The position of each panel on the building should be
marked on an elevation drawing so that it can be easily traced if required.

Dow Corning will be happy to assist you during the implementation of this quality control
program. If you have any questions, contact your local Dow Corning Representative.

Warranty
Dow Corning is prepared to issue a warranty in support of sealant products.

For details on how to obtain the applicable warranty, please consult your local Dow Corning
office or authorized building sealant distributor.
Dow Corning Project Checklist

The following items must be completed for silicone structural glazing projects. Check mark
and/or date these items as they are completed. Some items may not apply to all projects. In
that case, simply note NA, not applicable.

Design Details
_______ Submit prints to Dow Corning for review
_______ Include windload and maximum glass size
_______ Date(s) of Dow Corning print review
_______ Mock up drawings/ Final shop drawings

Adhesion Testing (testing time: 4 weeks)

_______ Submit jobsite representative metal (mullion and/or panel)
_______ Date of Dow Corning adhesion recommendation report
_______ Submit jobsite representative glass
_______ Date of Dow Corning adhesion recommendation report
_______ Submit jobsite representative stone
_______ Date of Dow Corning adhesion recommendation report

Compatibility Testing (testing time: 4 weeks)

_______ Submit jobsite representative structural spacer
_______ Date of Dow Corning compatibility recommendation report
_______ Submit jobsite representative setting block
_______ Date of Dow Corning compatibility recommendation report
_______ Submit jobsite representative setting gaskets that will contact structural silicone
_______ Date of Dow Corning compatibility recommendation report

Non-Staining Testing (testing time: 6 weeks)

_______ Submit jobsite representative sample of stones
_______ Supply 2 stone samples of the dimension 25mm by 75mm
(1" by 3") the thickness of the stone
_______ Date of Dow Corning Non-Staining recommendation report

Quality Assurance
_______ Perform daily product quality testing and document on log sheet(s)
_______ Perform daily field/shop adhesion testing and document on log sheet(s)
_______ Perform deglaze on mock up and document on log sheet(s)
_______ Perform deglaze on frame according to schedule
Weatherproofing

Introduction
The successful performance of a building exterior is frequently defined by its ability to keep rain
and the elements outside, away from the building's occupants. One of the critical links to
ensuring a weatherproof building is the joint sealant. Building joints can be sealed effectively
by following a few simple guidelines for designing workable joints, selecting the correct sealant,
performing appropriate surface preparation, and performing quality checks to ensure proper
performance. This section of the guide addresses design, sealant selection, surface preparation,
job site adhesion testing and remedial procedures.

Joint Movement
Regardless of the size and height of structures, joint movement inevitably occurs by various
factors such as: changes in temperature, seismic movement, elastic frame shortening, creep,
live loads, concrete shrinkage, moisture induced movements and design errors. Therefore, each
joint should be designed to absorb these movements, using the correct sealant.

When movement is caused by temperature change, the degree of joint movement for each
material should be considered since all materials have their own coefficient of linear thermal
expansion (CTE). Joint movement caused by thermal expansion can be calculated by the
following equation:

Movement (Mt)= CTE x Temp. Change x Length of Material

Examples are below
Average Coefficients of Linear Thermal Expansion for
Building Materials - Reference ASTM C-1193

Note: The coefficient of expansion for natural materials (brick, stone, wood, etc.) or
fabrications of natural materials can be highly variable. If a specific material is contemplated
then the coefficient for that material should be established and used rather than an average value.
Moisture induced movement of brick masonry will cause the brick to swell and reduce joint
sizes over the life of the project.

Joint Types
From a functional point of view, joints for construction can be put into two classes depending on
the degree of movement.

Working Joint
Working joint are joints in which the shape and size of the sealant joint changes dramatically
when movement occurs. Usually, a working joint occurs on the building envelope when
different materials abut each other or joints are designed to allow thermal expansion of materials.
Typical examples or working joints include:

* Control Joint
* Expansion Joint
* Lap Joint
* Butt Joint
* Stack Joint
Fixed Joint
Joints which are mechanically fixed to prohibit movement. Movements are generally less
than 10% of joint width. These joints are typically designed as air and/or water seals in
curtainwalls.

Joint Design
Dow Corning Sealants have been designed to perform when installed in compliance with
accepted weathersealing procedures. Industry guides documenting, in detail, the procedures
for designing weatherseal joints are available. Some good examples are included in the
reference section of this document.

Dow Corning has found that a few underlying principles are critical to consider in virtually all
joint designs using silicone sealants. This section is intended as a review of these underlying
design principles. When considering the design of weatherproof joints, the following basic
points must be addressed:

* In all cases, a minimum depth of 6 mm (1/4") sealant/ substrate bond is necessary to ensure
adequate adhesion.
* In most cases, a minimum width of 6mm (1/4") opening is necessary to ensure that sealant
applied from a caulking gun will flow into the sealant joints. Note: In some cases where the
sealant is used simply as a non-moving bedding compound and is applied to one substrate before
both substrates are pressed together, thinner joint dimensions are acceptable.
* One-part silicone sealants require atmospheric moisture to fully cure. Therefore, the sealant
joint must be designed to ensure that the sealant is not isolated from air.

Moving Joint Considerations.

When designing moving joints, the following points also need consideration:

* A minimum 6 mm (1/4") joint width is recommended. Wider joints accommodate more

movement than narrow joints.
* Three-sided adhesion limits the amount of movement that a joint can accept without inducing
a tear. Three-sided adhesion can be eliminated by the addition of a bond breaker tape or backer
rod. With three-sided adhesion, no more than +/-15 percent movement can be accommodated.
* A thin sealant joint (6 mm +/- 3 mm) will accommodate more movement than a thick joint.
Sealants are designed to deliver optimum performance when the joints are shaped like an
hourglass.
* As a practical matter, as the sealant joint width becomes larger than 25 mm (1"), the depth
should be held at approximately 9 to 12 mm (3/8 to 1/2"). There is no need for greater sealant
depth with a silicone sealant.

Minimum Joint Width = 100/X (Mt+Ml)+T

X = Sealant Movement Capacity (%)

Mt = Movement due to thermal expansion
Ml = Movement due to Live loading
T = Construction Tolerance

For example:
A horizontal joint between an aluminum curtainwall and a concrete panel with a thermal
movement of 8 mm (5/16"), a live load movement of 6 mm (1/4"), a construction tolerance of 6
mm (1/4") and 25 % movement capacity sealant would be

Width = 100/25*(8+6)+6
Width = 62mm
Width = 100/25*(5/16 + 1/4) + 1/4
Width = 2.5inches

Joint movement in Shear

When joints move in shear, greater joint movement can be accommodated since actual
movement on the sealant is less. The joint width required (a) for joint movement (b), as
calculated below, or the allowable movement (b) for a particular joint width dimension (a), can
be calculated using Pythagoras' Theorem. The new joint width after movement (c) is limited by
the movement capability of the sealant in shear in a weatherseal joint configuration. The
calculation is as follows:

Movement During Cure

Dow Corning's one-part sealants cure by reacting with atmospheric moisture. Joint movement
during cure can cause unsightly aesthetics due to joint deformation e.g. wrinkling. Premature
adhesion loss can also occur because the adhesive characteristics of the sealant are obtained after
the sealant has cured. Adhesion loss due to movement during cure can be minimized by the use
of a primer. Primers can decrease the adhesion cure time lag. Wrinkling can be minimized
following these suggestions:
* Use open-cell polyurethane backer rod
* Seal when the joint surface is cool and will experience minimum temperature changes,
typically in the late afternoon or early evening.
* Place no more than 6 mm (1/4") of sealant over the backer rod at the center.
These suggestions should help minimize wrinkling, but may not eliminate it, as all sealants are
prone to this aesthetic issue.
Backer Materials
A backer rod is the typical backer material for most weatherseal joints. The role of a backer
rod is to allow a sealant to be installed and tooled to a proper joint profile. Once the sealant
cures, the backer material must not restrict the movement of the sealant or cause "3-sided
adhesion." To provide sufficient backpressure during sealant installation, the backer rod
should be sized ~25 % larger than the joint opening. Sizing differs among backer rod types; refer
to manufacturer's recommendations. Generally, three common backer rod types can be used with
Dow CORNING Sealants:
* Open cell polyurethane
* Closed cell polyethylene
* Non-gassing polyolefin
Each backer rod type has demonstrated successful performance with Dow CORNING Sealants.
When selecting a backer rod, consider the following:
* Open cell polyurethane backer rod allows the sealant to cure through the backer rod, which is
beneficial when fast sealant cure is desired. Open cell polyurethane backer rod can absorb
water, which may have a detrimental effect in certain joint types.
* Closed cell polyethylene backer rod may outgas if punctured during installation, requiring it to
be left for 20 minutes before application of the sealant.
* Other back-up materials such as expanding foam tapes or glazing gaskets should be reviewed
or tested for compatibility prior to use.
* When a backer rod cannot be positioned in a joint opening, a Teflon or polyethylene tape
should be used to prevent 3-sided adhesion.

Dow Corning makes the following exceptions when selecting backer rod types:
* For double weatherseal joints, open-cell polyurethane backer rod must be used unless the
interior seal is allowed 7 days cure before installing the exterior seal.
* Open cell polyurethane backer rod is recommended for use with DOW CORNING 790
Silicone Building Sealant against painted or metal surfaces to promote cure from both sides of
the joint.
* Because EIFS manufacturers do not permit the use of open-cell polyurethane backer rod with
their systems, use either DOW CORNING 791 Silicone Building Sealant or DOW CORNING
795 Silicone Building Sealant when EIFS is adjacent to non-porous or metal surfaces. Open cell
polyurethane backer rod should not be used adjacent to EIFS.
* In some horizontal joints where water can collect, open cell polyurethane backer rod should
not used.
EIFS Consideration
Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) is a new and growing segment of the exterior
cladding market. EIFS offers unique challenges due to its composition. Dow Corning silicone
sealants have a demonstrated history of success when used with Exterior Insulation and Finish
Systems. Silicone sealants offer unique benefits over organic sealants when used with EIFS.
Consider the following benefits offered by Dow CORNING Sealants:

* Dow Corning One component silicone sealants do not require special mixing, unlike
multi-component polyurethane sealants.
* Dow Corning sealants have been tested and recommended by most major EIFS manufacturers
for use with their systems.
* Dow Corning silicone sealants are UV stable and are virtually unaffected by outdoor
weathering. Silicone sealants have a life expectancy of greater than 20 years compared to 5 to 10
years of life expectancy for many organic polyurethane sealants.
* DOW CORNING 790 Silicone Building Sealant, the preferred sealant for EIFS expansion
joints, has unparalleled ultra-low modulus properties, movement capability of +100/-50% and a
proven 20+ year performance on buildings.
* An inorganic silicone sealant maintains its low modulus when cold whereas an organic
polyurethane sealant can get 2 to 3 times stiffer in cold temperatures. Low modulus silicone
sealants put lessstress on softer EIFS coatings when a joint opens up during cold temperatures.
Dow Corning sealants are tested and approved for use by the major EIFS manufacturers.
Refer to the Building Sealant
Recommendation and Surface Preparation Guide for current recommendations.

Weatherseal Design Examples

Examples of a variety of weatherseal joints follow with a review of joint type for key points and
concerns.
Conventional Moving Weatherseal
GOOD JOINT DESIGN

POOR JOINT DESIGN

Good Joint Design

Key Points:
1. Dimension A must be at least 6 mm (1/4").
2. Dimension B must be at least 3 mm (1/8")
3. Dimension C must be at least 6 mm (1/4")
4. Ratio of A:B should be 2:1 minimum.
5. Joint surface tooled
6. Dimension B suggested Maximum = 12 mm (1/2")
7. Dimension A Maximum = 100 mm (4"). Joints wider than 50 mm (1/2") may slump slightly;
therefore double application techniques of the sealant may be required.

Poor Joint Design

Concerns:
1. A deep sealant joint will not have the same movement capability as a properly designed joint
2. Slow cure due to excessive sealant depth
Moving Corner Joints
GOOD JOINT DESIGN

POOR JOINT DESIGN

Good Joint Design

Key Points:
1. Dimension A and B must be at least 6mm (1/4").
2. A bond breaker tape or backer rod must be present if joint movement is anticipated.
3. Joint must be tooled flat or slightly concave.
4. Dimension C must be at least 6 mm (1/4").

Poor Joint Design

Concerns:
1. Dimension A or B less than 6 mm (1/4").
2. Joint not properly tooled.
3. No bond breaker material; therefore the joint will not accept movement.
Remedial Joints

Good Joint Design

Key Points:
1. Dimension A must be at least 6mm (1/4").
2. Dimension B must be at least 3 mm (1/8")
3. Bond breaker tape must be used to isolate fresh sealant from failed organic weatherseal and to
-------- allow joint movement.

Poor Joint Design

Concerns:
1. Dimension A less than 6 mm (1/4") increases difficulty in obtaining adhesion and increases
the likelihood for voids.
2. Dimension B less than 3 mm (1/8") increases the likelihood of pinholes or voids in tooling;
poor cohesive integrity.
3. No bond breaker material; therefore the joint will not accept movement.
Splice Joints

Key Points:
1. Joint is very difficult to clean.
2. Bond breaker hard to position/size correctly.
3. Movement during cure can cause joint failure.
Cap Bead Glazing Joints

Good Joint Design

Key Points:
1. Adhesion contact on glass and metal is at least 6 mm.
2. Silicone is compatible with gasket.
3. Dark-colored sealant masks possible discoloration from the gasket.

Poor Joint Design

Concerns:
1. Inadequate contact between sealant and external metal.
2. Gray sealant prone to discoloration.
Dual-Seal Moving Weatherseal

Good Joint Design

Key Points:
1. Both weatherseals comply with the requirements for conventional moving weathseals
(assressed prevlously)
2. Open-cell backer rod is used to ensure full cure of the back weatherseal.
3. If closed-cell backer rod is used, the back weatherseal must be fully cured prior to the
Installation of the exterior seal.
4. Dimension A is at least 3/4" wide to assist application fo the rear sealant joint.

Poor Joint Design

Concerns:
1. If both joints are sealed at or near the same time the closed-cell backer rod will
prevent moisture from reaching the rear sealant joint, and this seal will not cure.
2. Dimension A less than 3/4", marking application of rear joint difficult.
3. Exterior joint seal to aesthetic snap-on cap.
Window Perimeter Joints: Insufficient Aluminum
Extrusion

Good Joint Design

Key Points:
1. Dimensions A and B are each 6 mm (1/4") or larger.

Poor Joint Design

Concerns:
1. Attempting to apply sealant onto the edge (or behind) thin gauge metal, results in inadequate
sealant/substrate contact, and water leakage.
Weatherproofing Joints
Surface Preparation and Sealant Application

Introduction
This application procedure outlines general requirements for installing DOW CORNING
Silicone Building Sealants. By following these procedures closely, you will help ensure good
sealant performance. To be eligible to receive a Dow Corning warranty, these procedures must
be followed. Since DOW CORNING Silicone Building Sealants are applied in many different
environments and situations, these procedures are not intended to be a complete and
comprehensive quality assurance program.
Field adhesion tests are required to ensure good sealant performance and to verify any sealant
recommendation (see "Quality Assurance").

There are five basic steps for proper joint preparation and sealant application:

1) Clean - Joint surfaces must be clean, dry, dust free, and frost free.
2) Prime - If required, primer is applied to the clean surface(s).
3) Pack - Backer rod or bond breaker are applied as required.
4) Seal - Sealant is applied into the joint cavity.
5) Tool - Dry tooling techniques are used to create a flush joint and ensure the sealant has the
proper configuration and fully contacts the joint walls.

The following sections are intended to provide more detailed information in each of these areas.

Substrate Cleaning Procedure

This section provides information on cleaning solvents and general cleaning procedures for
porous and non-porous substrates. The key to good sealant adhesion is a clean surface. You
should always check with the supplier of the substrate to ensure that the cleaning procedures and
solvents are compatible with the substrate.

Organic Solvent Usage

Not all solvents will effectively remove every type of contaminant, and certain solvents can
seriously damage some substrates. Please follow the solvent manufacturer's safe handling
recommendations and local, state and national regulations regarding solvent usage.

Non-Porous Substrate
Non-porous surfaces must be cleaned with a solvent before the sealant is applied. The solvent
used will depend on the type of dirt or oil to be removed and the substrate to be cleaned.
Non-oily dirt and dust can usually be removed with a 50 percent solution of isopropyl alcohol
(IPA) and water, pure IPA or methylated spirit. Oily dirt or films generally require a degreasing
solvent such as xylene, or white spirit. White Spirit will need to be a minimum of 98 % pure to
prevent leaving an oily film on the substrate surface.
Porous Substrates
Building materials such as cement board panels, concrete, granite, limestone and other stones or
cementitious materials that absorb liquid are considered porous substrates.
Dusting alone may be sufficient cleaning for new porous substrates. Depending on the condition
of the surface, porous substrates may require abrasion cleaning, solvent cleaning or both.
Laitance and surface dirt must be completely removed. Concrete form-release agents, water
repellents and other types of surface treatments, protective coatings, and old sealant all affect
sealant adhesion. Removal of these treatments, coatings or sealants by abrasion cleaning may be
required to obtain acceptable adhesion.

Abrasion cleaning involves grinding, saw cutting, sand or water blasting, mechanical abrading
or a combination of these methods. Remaining dust and loose particles should be removed by
dusting the surface with a stiff brush, vacuuming, or blowing the joints with water and oil-free
compressed air. Once the abraded surface is clean and dry, the sealant can be applied. If the
surface is dirty, it must be solvent cleaned with the "two-cloth" method explained later in this
section. Some porous materials will trap solvents after cleaning or priming. Allow this solvent to
evaporate before sealant is applied.

Please note that Dow Corning's recommendations for removal of existing sealants, substrate
cleaning, joint preparation and installation of DOW CORNING Sealants are not intended and
may not be appropriate for remedial work involving existing sealants and/or joints containing
PCBs or other potentially hazardous substances. If you know or suspect that the existing sealants
and/or joints contain PCBs or other hazardous substances, contact a knowledgeable authority on
appropriate removal, handling and disposal procedures.

"Two-Cloth" Cleaning Method

Clean, soft, absorbent, lint-free cloths must be used. The two-cloth cleaning method consists of
a solvent wipe followed by a dry cloth wipe.

1) Thoroughly clean all surfaces of loose debris.

2) Pour or dispense an acceptable cleaning-grade solvent onto the cloth. A plastic
(solvent-resistant) squeeze bottle works best for organic cleaning solvents. Do not dip the cloth
into the container of solvent, as this will contaminate the cleaning agent.
3) Wipe vigorously to remove contaminants. Check the cloth to see if it has picked up
contaminants. Rotate the cloth to a clean area and re-wipe until no additional dirt is picked up.
Immediately wipe the cleaned area with a separate clean, dry cloth.
Organic solvent must be removed with the dry cloth before the solvent evaporates or the
cleaning will be less effective. Some porous surfaces will allow a small amount of residual
organic solvent to remain in the top surface layer. If this is the case, the surface must be
allowed to dry before installing backer rod and sealant.

Winter/Summer Solvent Considerations

IPA is soluble in water and may be more appropriate for winter cleaning as it helps in removing
condensation and frost. Xylene and toluene are not soluble in water and may be better suited for
warm weather cleaning.

Primer Application Procedure

DOW CORNING Primers should be applied as follows:

1) Joint surfaces should be clean and dry. Apply masking tape to the surfaces next to the joint to
keep excess primer and sealant off areas where they are not intended.
2) Pour some primer into a small, clean container, and be sure to replace and tighten the cap on
the primer can. To prevent deterioration of the primer, do not pour more than a 10-minute
supply into the container.
3) Depending on the substrate and job conditions, two different methods can be used to apply
the primer. The preferred application is to dip a clean, dry, lint-free cloth into the primer and
gently wipe a thin film onto the surface. For "hard-to-get-to" areas and rough surfaces, apply the
primer in a thin film with a clean brush.

Caution: Over priming can cause adhesion loss between the sealant and the primer. If too much
primer has been applied, a powdery, chalky, dusty film will form on the surface. Excess primer
should be removed by dusting the joint with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth or a non-metallic bristle
brush
4) Allow the primer to dry until all the solvent evaporates. This typically takes 5 to 30 minutes,
depending on the temperature and humidity.
5) Inspect the surface for dryness. If too much primer has been applied, a powdery, chalky,
dusty film will form on the surface. In this case, remove excess primer with a clean, dry,
lint-free cloth or a non-metallic bristle brush before applying sealant.
6) The surface is now ready for application of the backer rod and sealant. Sealant must be
applied the same day the surfaces are primed. Any surfaces primed but not sealed on the same
day must be re-cleaned and re-primed before applying sealant.

Do Not Apply Primer Over Backer Rod

Store primer with cap tightly closed as DOW CORNING primers will react quickly
when exposed to moisture, reducing their adhesion-promoting capabilities.
Backer Rod Installation

Moving Joint Considerations

When designing moving joints, the following points also need consideration:

* A minimum 6 mm (1/4") joint width is recommended. Wider joints accommodate more

movement than narrow joints.
* Three-sided adhesion limits the amount of movement that a joint can accept without inducing
a tear. Three-sided adhesion can be eliminated by the addition of a bond breaker tape or backer
rod. With three-sided adhesion, no more than *15 percent movement can be accommodated.
* A thin sealant joint (depth) will absorb more movement than a thick joint. Sealants are
designed to deliver optimum performance when the joints are shaped like an hourglass.
* As the sealant joint width becomes larger than 25 mm (1"), the depth should be held
at approximately 12 mm (1/2").
* There is no need to increase the depth beyond 12 mm (1/2").

Sealant should be applied as follows:

1) Masking tape should be used to keep excess sealant from contacting adjacent areas where it is
not intended to ensure an aesthetically pleasing job.
2) Apply the sealant in a continuous operation using a caulking gun or pump. A positive
pressure, adequate to fill the entire joint width, should be used. This can be accomplished by
"pushing" the sealant ahead of the application nozzle. Care must be taken to ensure complete fill
of the sealant cavity.
3) Tool the sealant with light pressure before a skin begins to form (typically 10 to 20 minutes).
Tooling forces the sealant against the back-up material and the joint surfaces.
Do not use liquid tooling aids such as water, soap or alcohols. These materials may interfere
with sealant cure and adhesion and create aesthetic issues.
4) Remove the masking tape before the sealant skins over (within about 15 minutes of tooling).

EIFS Application Procedures

1) Allow the EIFS coating to dry a minimum of 24 hours prior to application of the Dow
Corning Sealant. Do not apply sealant to EIFS finish coat unless approved by the EIFS
manufacturer. Drying time may be greater depending on temperature and humidity. Consult
the EIFS manufacturer for recommended drying time.
2) The joints must be clean and dry prior to installation of the Dow Corning Sealant. If sealant
is to be applied immediately following the drying time of the EIFS coating, simply brush or
wipe the joint surfaces to ensure that there is no dust or debris in the joint. If the fully dried
coating is exposed for greater than one day, joint surfaces must either be wire brushed or blown
with oil-free compressed air or cleaned with a suitable solvent such as Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)
using the "two cloth" cleaning method. Consult the EIFS manufacturer to determine if a
specific solvent is compatible with their system. Allow sufficient time for the solvent to
evaporate prior to priming or installing sealant.
3) Lightly apply the Dow CORNING 1200 Prime Coat or other recommended primer with a soft
bristle brush to the inside of the joint. One brush wipe of the substrate should be sufficient.
Allow the primer to dry a minimum of one hour prior to backer rod installation.
4) Install either closed cell polyethylene or non-gassing polyolefin backer rod with EIFS.
Open cell polyurethane backer rod should not be used adjacent to EIFS surfaces.

Removal and Replacement of Existing Weatherseals

Introduction
In some cases when an existing building is to be repaired or resealed, the existing weatherseal
must be removed before a new weatherseal can be installed.
When a failed organic sealant is to be cut out and replaced, the old sealant must be completely
removed as described in the following paragraphs. When a silicone weatherseal is to be replaced
with a new silicone sealant, complete removal of the existing functional joint may not be
necessary. Follow the directions for removal and replacement of cured silicone sealant.
Repairing Failed Organic Sealant with DOW CORNING Silicone Building
Sealant (Remedial Applications)
As buildings age, weatherseals must be repaired or removed and repaired. The replacement may
be necessary due to the aging and deterioration of an organic weatherseal. If a sealant has failed,
it is good practice to understand why it failed and replace it with a sealant offering higher
performance properties.
Please note that Dow Corning's recommendations for removal of existing sealants, substrate
cleaning, joint preparation and installation of DOW CORNING sealants are not intended and
may not be appropriate for remedial work involving existing sealants and/or joints containing
PCBs or other potentially hazardous substances. If you know or suspect that the existing sealants
and/or joints contain PCBs or hazardous substances, contact a knowledgeable authority on
appropriate removal, handling and disposal procedures.

Follow this procedure to repair failed organic sealant with DOW CORNING Silicone Building
Sealant in remedial applications:
1) Cut away the old sealant as close to the joint edges as possible.
2) Clean all joints of contaminants and impurities to the depth at which the new DOW
CORNING Silicone Building Sealant and backer rod are to be installed. This may be
accomplished by several methods: abrading with a wire brush (power or hand), grinding, saw
cutting or solvent cleaning.
3) Blow out dust, loose particles and other debris with water and oil-free compressed air;
6.0-kg/cm2 air pressure recommended; no moisture or oil allowed in air. (Occasionally, a second
pass with a wire brush and air blast is needed to ensure the joint is clean.) Loose pieces of
caulk or backer rod that have become lodged in the joint should also be removed.
4) After cleaning, the joints must be thoroughly dry, dust free and frost free before resealing.
5) Mask joint edges if possible to facilitate application and clean-up,
6) If priming is recommended, follow directions for applying the desired DOW CORNING
Primer to the cleaned surfaces before installing the DOW CORNING Silicone Building
Sealant.
7) Install back-up material in joints to proper design depth.
8) Apply the appropriate D0W CORNING Silicone Building Sealant in a continuous
operation to properly fill and seal the joint width.
9) Using a blunt instrument, dry tool the joint so it is slightly concave. Tooling should be
done as soon as possible after sealant application. Remove masking as necessary.
10) Seal a test joint and check adhesion after curing 7 to 21 days.
Removal and Replacement of Cured Silicone Sealant
A properly designed and installed silicone joint will typically last 20 years without need of
replacement. In instances where the joint has experienced mechanical damage or otherwise
and replacement is required, follow the procedures below.

Assess problem with the joint.

1.-If sealant is cured properly and performing application but its appearance is poor (i.e., due to
improper tooling), then cleaning the sealant surface with a solvent and recapping the joint
should be sufficient.
a) Clean sealant with a solvent (i.e., xylene, toluene) to remove dirt. Allow solvent to evaporate.
b) Remask the joint.
c) Apply a thin bead of fresh sealant over cured sealant.
d) Apply a thin bead of fresh sealant over the cured sealant.
e) Dry tool the sealant.
f) Remove the masking material.
2. If the sealant is mechanically damaged and a recapping will not improve the joint appearance,
then remove the section of old sealant and replace.
a) Cut away the old sealant. If excellent adhesion to the substrate is still maintained, then leave
some sealant at the edges of the joint (up to 2 mm thick).
b) If adhesion to the substrate is poor, then remove sealant down to substrate and clean the
substrate and recondition if necessary (i.e., clean with xylene and prime with appropriate
primer).
c) Mask the joint
d) Reapply the sealant (If resealing does not occur on the same day, the joint will have to be
recleaned using a solvent such as xylene or toluene before applying the fresh sealant).
e) Dry tool the joint.
f) Remove the masking material.
g) Check adhesion after sealant has cured for 7 days

Quality Assurance - General

Product Quality
Dow Corning performs extensive quality assurance testing in our manufacturing facilities in
accordance with rigid ISO 9000 standards. This section is intended to provide the end-user
with simple screening tests to verify that the material, as received and used at the job site on
actual substrates, will perform as intended.

Skin-Over Time/Elastomeric Test

For one-part sealants, a skin-over test and an elastomeric test should be performed once
per week and on every new lot of sealant used. The purpose of this test is to check
sealant working time and to ensure the sealant cures fully. Any great variation
(excessively long times) in the skin-over time may indicate an out-of-shelf-life sealant.

This test is performed as follows:

a. Spread a 1mm film of sealant on a sheet of polyethylene or wax paper.
b. Every few minutes, touch the sealant film lightly with a tool.
c. When the sealant does not adhere to the tool, the sealant has skinned over. Note the time
required to reach this point. If a skin has not formed within 3 hours, do not use this material;
contact your Dow Corning Construction Field Specialist or distributor representative.
d. Allow the sealant to cure for 24 hours. After 24 hours, peel the sealant away from the
polyethylene sheet. Stretch the sealant slowly to see that it has cured. If the sealant has not cured,
contact your Dow Corning Project Manager or distributor representative.
e. Record the results in the Product Quality Control Log book. This testing must be completed
and results recorded, retained and available for review upon request. (See "Project
Specifications, Documentation and Warranties" for a sample log form and additional in
formation).

Standard Field Adhesion Test

The field adhesion test is a simple screening procedure that may help detect application
problems such as improper cleaning, use of improper primer, poor primer application or
improper joint configuration. As a check for adhesion, a simple hand pull test is required at the
job site after the sealant is fully cured (usually within 7 to 21 days.) Field adhesion testing
should be documented using the field Adhesion Testing Log (Documentation). It is suggested
that 5 tests for the first 300 meters (1000 ft) and one test per 300 meters (1000 ft) thereafter be
submitted or one test per floor per elevation. The hand pull test procedure is as follows:

a. Make a knife cut horizontally from one side of the joint to the other.
b. Make two vertical cuts (from the horizontal cut) approximately 75 mm long, at both sides of
the joint.
c. Place a 25 mm mark on the sealant tab as shown in the illustration.
d. Grasp 50 mm piece of sealant firmly just beyond the 25 mm mark and pull at a 90o angle.
e. If dissimilar substrates are being sealed, check the adhesion of sealant to each substrate
separately. This is accomplished by extending the vertical cut along one side of the joint,
checking adhesion to the opposite side, and then repeating for the other surface.
f. Pass/fail criteria for each sealant are shown in Table 1. If the sealant does not pass according
to the guidelines provided, consult your local Dow Corning Project Manager or distributor
representative.
g. Inspect the joint for complete fill. The joint should not have voids, and joint
dimensions should match those shown in the weathersealing details (see "Joint
Design"). Your Dow Corning Project Manager can assist in determining when
corrective action is required.
h. Record the test results in a field adhesion test log. An example is provided in the
documentation section. This log will need to be retained as a part of Dow Corning's warranty
procedure. Some building officials may also require it.

NOTE: When a sealant is used to weatherseal between two dissimilar substrates, it is

recommended that the sealant adhesion to each side of the joint be individually tested. (See step
e.)

Table 1: Field Adhesion Hand Pull Test Criteria

Sealant Repair in Adhesion Test Area
Repair the sealant pulled from the test area by applying new sealant to the test area. Assuming
good adhesion was obtained, use the same application procedure to repair the areas as was used
to originally seal it. Care should be taken to ensure that the original sealant surfaces are clean
and that the new sealant is in contact with the original sealant

Peel in Adhesion Test Procedure

Another simple screening test can be done on a flat test surface. A test piece like that shown
above is recommended.

1. Clean and prime the surface following the project-specific recommendations.

2. Place a piece of polyethylene sheet or bond breaker tape across the flat test surface.
3. Apply a bead of sealant and tool it to form a strip approximately 200 mm long, 25 mm wide
and 3 mm thick. At least 50 mm of the sealant should be applied over the polyethylene sheet or
bond breaker tape.
4. After cure of the sealant pull the sealant perpendicular to the substrate till failure. Record
the mode of failure and elongation of the test sealant.
Documentation
Suggested logs referred to in this manual are provided on the following pages. In the event of a
warranty claim or inspection, these must be available for review by Dow Corning and/or the
local building official.

Therefore, it is suggested that they be kept together with the project files. A hard cover logbook
may be preferential to copies of the logs suggested here. A quality assurance engineer should be
responsible for documenting these data on a job-to-job basis. All curtainwall units must be
numbered so the sealant installation dates, sealant lot numbers, and quality assurance testing can
be obtained from the project log.

Dow Corning will be happy to assist you during the implementation of this quality control
program. If you have any questions, contact your local Dow Corning Project Manager.

Warranty
Dow Corning is prepared to issue a warranty in support of sealant products.

The warranty will vary depending on need and criteria. Warranties are either Product
Performance type or Material Properties type and issue are dependent on the successful
completion of Dow Corning requirements.

For details on how to obtain the applicable warranty, please consult your local Dow
Corning Field Specialist or authorized building sealant distributor.