ABSTRACT
The tensile adhesion properties of two silicone sealants were determined after exposure of static sealant specimens to three accelerated weathering regimes and to outdoor weathering. The accelerated weathering was carried out for a duration of up to 15,000 hours in commercial weathering machines based on carbon flame, xenon lamp and fluorescent lamp (QUV) light sources. The sealants were exposed to outdoor weathering for up to three years at Ichihara, Chiba, Japan. Very little change in modulus was found for specimens exposed to outdoor weathering. Rather close correlation between the results obtained in the various accelerated weathering methods was observed. The results obtained in accelerated weathering and outdoor exposure do not correlate as well, however, the trends in property changes are well reproduced.
