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Sealant Properties: Knowing Sealants Better

Sealant Properties: Knowing Sealants Better

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We discussed the various types of sealants in one of our previous blogs. However, if you’re still not sure how to pick the right one then go through this sealant properties article to understand what factors impact sealant quality.

Evaluating these qualities can help you make the right decision.

Hardness
Not many people pay attention to this factor; however, hardness can be of huge importance as hard sealants are more resistant to damage. But, there’s a trade off as harder sealants tend to be less flexible.

Movement Capability
Joint movement capability is determined by the percentage of movement between elements that are to be sealed. You will typically find it printed on packages like this: ±15 percent in a 20-mm joint.

This means the product can stretch or contract to an extent without failing.

Consistency
Sealants can be thick or liquid-like. You need to pick one based on where you intend to apply it. Pourable sealants are said to be suitable for horizontal joints as they have a fluid-like consistency. On the other hand, non-sag sealants don’t run on any surface and are thicker.

Exposure Resistance
This factor helps determine how a product performs when exposed to moisture, temperature extremes, and the sun.

The more resistant a sealant, the better it will perform.

Adhesion
You need to get your hands on a product that adheres well to the construction material.

Most packages contain adhesion data to help you understand how a product works on different materials. It’s usually calculated using a variety of standards and tests such as ASTM C794.

Durability
This is an important factor because you can’t afford to use unreliable products. Life expectancy, however, depends on not just sealant quality but other factors as well including the environment.

Butyls and acrylics are said to be good for only around 5 years. Comparatively, silicones can last for more than two decades. You must, however, choose the right one based on the surface, weather conditions, etc.

 

Modulus
This factor determines elasticity. High-modulus sealants usually have low movement capability and low-modulus sealants typically have high movement capability.

Most experts suggest using low-modulus sealants with delicate surfaces. On the other hand, high-modulus sealants are suitable for non-moving and static joints.

There are also medium-modulus sealants that come with a balance and work in most situations.

Staining
It is common for sealants to leave marks, especially on certain surfaces such as stones. Go for non-staining sealants and look for products that have been tested on an unobtrusive area.

Ease of Application
You can go for tooling or curing sealants. This factor defines how easy it is to get a smooth surface of required or correct geometry. Also, some products cure right away and some can take a while to cure.

VOC Content
While most sealants are safe with little to no presence of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), solvent based sealants could result in health issues due to the presence of environmental toxins. Look at the label to be sure.

Knowing these factors can help you pitch the right product to your buyer. Check our show or go here to be a distributor.

Different Types of Sealants and Their Uses

Different Types of Sealants and Their Uses

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If you go out to buy sealants, you will come across a variety of types. While they are meant to do the same job, they’re made for different purposes. It is important that you know about different sealant types so that you can use the right one.

We’ll look at some of the most popular sealant types in this article and explain their purposes.

Let’s start:

Water Based Latex
You will find water based latex options wherever you go. It is one of the most popular sealant types that’s commonly used for residential applications.

It’s known to be easy to apply and adheres to most substrates. Said to be perfect for scenarios where voids or gaps are very small, Latex works in a unique manner. It can shrink and pull away results in gaps, allowing water to easily penetrate.

This paintable option is easy to clean up and more affordable than other sealants for household use.

Butyl

Not everyone goes for Butyl sealants as this option can be a little hard to deal with. Their stringier consistency makes it a good option for outdoor use since it is weather-resistant and waterproof.

These are synthetic rubber, solvent-based materials that work on a variety of substrates with limited movement accommodation. They should, however, not be used in demanding conditions as they do not have good resistance to abrasion.

Polyurethane
This can be a great option for people looking for ease as it works well on most surfaces and requires little substrate preparation. It is suitable for metal, wood, and stone, making it a good choice for construction sites.

It’s among the most durable options as it offers excellent abrasion and tear resistance and solid weather and chemical resistance.

Polysulfide
Polysulfide adhesive systems have some great qualities such as excellent chemical resistance, underwater curing capability, high physical and dielectric strength, and resistance to impact, shock, thermal cycling, and vibration.

These are suitable for outdoor use and extreme conditions as they remain flexible even when the temperature gets low and don’t shrink much.

While they come with some great benefits, they might not be suitable for everyone as they’re a little expensive. However, they last for up to 20 years, which makes them worth it.

Acrylic
Acrylic sealants have grown rapidly in popularity and are typically used in less demanding situations. Most experts believe they’re suitable for both interior and exterior use. However, since they cannot accommodate much movement, they’re limited in usage.

Obtained from water-based acrylic resins, they don’t work well in areas that have direct water exposure. They’re painted and can take a few minutes to fully dry.

Silicone
This is a great option due to solid thermal resistance, excellent adhesion, and impressive dynamic movement capability.

Silicone sealants are, however, not suitable for all situations as they collect dirt and may catch stains. Primers can be used to overcome these issues.

Known to be a little expensive, these sealants are durable and come with weather proofing.

Polyisobutylenes
These work like natural rubber but are more durable with low permeability. They are said to be suitable for industrial use due to being chemical and gas resistant.

These are considered factory applied and are typically used to insulate glazing units.

These were some of the most popular sealant types. There is demand for all of them and retailers need to be well stocked to meet this demand. Check our shop for more.