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IS 10959:1984 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for glossary of terms for sealants for building purposes (iso 6927-1981). This standard provides a glossary of terms for sealants used in building construction, and is an adoption of the international standard ISO 6927-1981. It standardizes the vocabulary related to sealant materials, their properties, joint types, and application methods to ensure clear communication among industry professionals.
Glossary of terms for sealants for building purposes (ISO 6927-1981)
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Architectural — Building Construction Practices incl. Painting, Varnishing
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Essential for correctly interpreting technical data sheets (TDS) from sealant manufacturers.
! Use this standard to write clear and unambiguous specifications for sealant works in contracts and drawings.
! While this is an old code, its fundamental definitions are still relevant and are referenced by other modern sealant testing and specification codes.
ISO 6927:2012ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Buildings and civil engineering works — Sealants — Vocabulary
Defines terms related to building sealants; IS 10959 is based on the 1981 version of this standard.
ASTM C717 - 21ASTM International (USA)
HighCurrent
Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants
Provides a comprehensive glossary of terms for building seals and sealants used in North America.
BS EN ISO 6927:2012BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
HighCurrent
Buildings and civil engineering works. Sealants. Vocabulary
The British and European identical adoption of the current ISO 6927 standard.
ISO 6927:1981ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
HighWithdrawn
Building construction — Jointing products — Sealants — Vocabulary
This is the direct source document from which IS 10959:1984 was adopted.
Key Differences
≠IS 10959:1984 is based on the withdrawn ISO 6927:1981. Current international standards (like ISO 6927:2012) include significantly updated terminology for modern sealant technologies.
≠The Indian standard lacks definitions for newer sealant types, such as 'hybrid sealants' (e.g., silyl-terminated polyurethanes/polyethers), which are now common and are defined in ISO 6927:2012 and ASTM C717.
≠Modern standards like ISO 6927:2012 categorize terms (e.g., 'General terms', 'Curing properties', 'Performance properties'), whereas IS 10959 presents terms in a single alphabetical list, following the older 1981 format.
≠IS 10959 does not define or reference the term 'Movement Accommodation Factor (MAF)', a critical performance parameter in modern sealant selection, which is well-defined in ISO and ASTM standards.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental purpose is identical: to establish a standardized vocabulary for building sealants to ensure clear communication among manufacturers, specifiers, and applicators.
≈Core, foundational terms such as 'Sealant', 'Adhesion', 'Cohesion', 'Curing', and 'Joint' are defined with very similar meanings across both the old IS standard and current international versions.
≈IS 10959:1984 is a direct national adoption of ISO 6927:1981, making their content, structure, and definitions at the time of publication almost identical.
≈Both the Indian and international standards are intended for the same audience, including architects, engineers, contractors, and testing bodies involved in building construction.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Basis Standard
ISO 6927:1981
Self-contained (current version)
ISO 6927:2012
Definition of 'Cure'
The process by which a sealant attains its final properties.
Development of the final properties of a sealant by chemical reaction (e.g. polymerization, oxidation, or vulcanization).
ISO 6927:2012
Term for 'Hybrid Sealant'
Not defined.
Defined as a sealant based on a reaction product of two different polymer systems.
ISO 6927:2012
Term for 'Movement Accommodation Factor (MAF)'
Not defined. Concept covered by 'Movement Capability'.
Defined as the maximum movement a sealant can withstand, expressed as a percentage of the joint width.
ASTM C717 - 21
Definition of 'Tack-free time'
The time required for a sealant to become non-tacky.
Time interval after application of a sealant at which the surface does not transfer sealant to a polyethylene film.
ISO 6927:2012
Term for 'Extrudability'
Concept described under 'Gunnability'.
Defined as the ease with which a sealant can be extruded from its container (cartridge or sausage).
ISO 6927:2012
Term for 'Structural Sealant'
Not defined.
Defined as a sealant used in a structural sealant glazing system (SSGS) to transfer loads.
ASTM C717 - 21
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values0
No quick reference values available for this code yet.
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Section 2 - General Definitions
Section 3 - Terms Relating to Joint Types and Dimensions
Section 4 - Terms Relating to Application
Frequently Asked Questions4
What is the official definition of a 'sealant' according to this code?+
A material which, when applied to a joint, cures to a solid, functional material that seals the joint by adhesion and cohesion while accommodating expected movement.
What is the difference between 'adhesion' and 'cohesion' for a sealant?+
Adhesion is the sealant's ability to stick to the joint substrates (e.g., concrete, glass), while cohesion is the internal strength of the sealant material itself, resisting tearing.
What is 'pot life'?+
The period of time during which a multi-component sealant remains suitable for application after the components have been mixed. (Term 2.4.15)
What does 'tooling' a sealant mean?+
It is the act of pressing the sealant into the joint to ensure complete contact with the surfaces and to achieve a neat, finished appearance. (Term 4.1.3)