Overview
EN ISO 10563:2023 (Building and civil engineering sealants - Determination of change in mass and volume) specifies a laboratory method to measure how much self-levelling and non‑sagging sealants change in mass and volume under defined conditions. Adopted by CEN in 2023 (superseding the 2017 edition), this standard provides an indicative test procedure - it measures loss of mass and volume under specified parameters rather than establishing an absolute maximum loss value.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Applies to sealants used in building and civil engineering joints; differentiates procedures for self‑levelling and non‑sagging types.
- Test specimens: Prepared in metal rings (non‑sagging) or metal moulds (self‑levelling). Three specimens are required per property tested.
- Dimensional requirements:
- Rings: inner diameter (30 ± 1) mm, height (10 ± 0,1) mm (with hook/loop for weighing).
- Moulds: inner diameter (30 ± 1) mm, depth (10 ± 0,1) mm.
- Weighing: Balance accuracy 0.01 g; specimens weighed in air and immersed in test liquid for volume determination.
- Test liquid: Water at (23 ± 2) °C with up to 0.25% low‑foam surfactant; use iso‑octane for water‑sensitive sealants.
- Conditioning:
- Preconditioning: (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 10) % RH for 28 days ± 3 h.
- Specific conditioning: ventilated oven at (70 ± 2) °C for 7 days ± 2 h, followed by re‑conditioning at (23 ± 2) °C / (50 ± 10) % RH for 24 ± 2 h.
- Specimen positioning: vertical for non‑sagging, horizontal for self‑levelling.
- Results: Change in mass and volume are calculated from pre‑ and post‑conditioning weights and reported as percentages. ISO 6927 is a normative reference for terminology.
Applications and users
EN ISO 10563:2023 is useful for:
- Sealant manufacturers - product development, quality control and comparative performance testing.
- Testing laboratories - routine type testing and verification of product claims.
- Specifiers and architects - selecting sealants with predictable dimensional stability for joints.
- Contractors and QA teams - material acceptance and compliance checks in procurement.
- Regulatory and standards bodies - harmonized test method for certification and conformity assessment.
Practical uses include evaluating shrinkage, solvent loss, and dimensional stability that affect joint performance, adhesion, and long‑term durability in building and civil engineering applications.
Related standards
- ISO 6927 - Vocabulary for building and civil engineering sealants (normative reference).
- EN ISO 10563:2017 - previous edition (now superseded).
Keywords: EN ISO 10563:2023, ISO 10563:2023, building and civil engineering sealants, change in mass and volume, sealant testing, self‑levelling sealant, non‑sagging sealant, preconditioning, oven conditioning, test specimens.
