Structural Silicone Performance Testing on 2 cm Polished Granite
SourcePolished granite panels, 91 cm (36 in.) x 152 cm (60 in.) x 2 cm (3/4 in.) were structurally attached with silicone adhesives to anodized aluminum frames and pressure tested to destruction after 21 days of cure and after six winters of exposed aging in Cold Spring, Minnesota. Silicone adhesives were tested for physical properties using an ASTM C1135 method both initially and after aging. Polished red granite samples were tested to a modified ASTM C880 dry and wet initially and after aging. Adhesive deflection was studied and reported along with ultimate loads required for destruction of the silicone attached granite panel. The structural silicone adhesives were found to be unaffected by the freeze-thaw cycling experienced by the panels. Ultimate performance of the aged composite panels were essentially unchanged from the initial performance. Flexural strength of the granite was found to have decreased over the test period.