J
Julian 'Farmer' Bonsall
Overview of Silicones
Sealant Chemistries - http://www.adhesives.org/adhesives-sealants/adhesives-sealants-overview/sealant-technologies/sealant-chemistries
Ref. Univar Specialty Consumables - https://www.univarsc.com/
Silicon sealant is actually quite a broad term that is used a lot especially when it comes to DIY jobs, the first thought for most people is to go to their local DIY store and grab the cheapest one in the right colour.
The reality is though, there is no one single type of Silicon sealant that should be used for everything. In fact there are many, all different types that all have different flexibility, durability and resistance. So how do you know you are using the right one for the job?
Silicon sealant is generally categorised by what job it is suitable for, making choosing the right product very straight forward.
Uses for Silicon sealants:
Silicon types in common use in the industry include: High Modulus, Low modulus, Neutral cure and Acetoxy cure.
The meaning of high and low can be explained simply: a low modulus will need just a low force to stretch it, and will have better elasticity and movement, a high modulus is more rigid. In deciding which modulus is best for a given application, then desired movement characteristics is the main thing to take into consideration.
Sealant types
Low modulus sealants are stretchy but not the most hardwearing, they are the best option for sealing glass wall assemblies, perimeter seals, on curtain walling, perimeter sealing of polyester powder coated frames and glazing of windows in swimming pool buildings. These sealants offer better adhesion and accommodate more movement. These sealants are generally very long lasting.
High modulus sealants are less stretchy but more hardwearing, they are recommended for use in sealing Baths, showers, sinks, wash basins, kitchen worktops and many other sanitary and internal applications. They can also be used on Shop fronts, show cases and glass to glass joints.
Acetoxy Silicon sealants release acetic acid (which smells a little like vinegar) as they cure, this is the most commonly used - it is more rigid and the full cure is quick. On the downside it generally has poor adhesion and leaves much to be desired in how well it 'sticks' to PVC-U, most other plastics, and glass, aluminium and Polycarbonate.
Neutral (meaning neutral alcoxy) Silicon sealants release alcohol as they cure, and has almost no smell, they have better adhesive properties for a greater number of materials including PVC-U, most other plastics, glass, aluminium, lead, stone and masonry and Polycarbonate. On the downside they can be more expensive, and is slower to cure at one to five days depending on thickness, temperature and humidity conditions.
Neutral cure or Acid cure?
Acid-cure silicones work best on non-porous surfaces such as glass and glazed tile, but they can corrode metal and etch some plastics, whilst neutral-cure silicones work well on metal and wood.
Which sealant for my application?
Low Modulus Acetoxy (LMA) sealants are the cost effective "all-rounders", they are suitable for a wide variety of general building, sanitary (when they contain a fungicide), glazing interior and exterior applications and adhere to many common building materials.
Low Modulus Neutral (LMN) sealants are the best option for the sealing of UPVC Window or Door Frames (exterior). They offer better adhesion, accommodate more movement and are generally longer lasting than LMA's.
High Modulus Acetoxy (HMA) sealants are most commonly used for kitchen and sanitary applications (ensure the sealant contains a fungicide).
General purpose and builders Silicon: this is the basic general purpose Silicon sealant. It sticks well to most building materials and offers good elasticity and durability but usually do not contain any fungicides.
Sanitary Silicon: a Silicon that includes a fungicide to reduce formation of mould on Silicon that is frequently exposed to moisture. To reduce the chance of mould forming it is important to get the surface of the Silicon joint as smooth as possible. This also makes cleaning it easier. Improving ventilation in rooms that suffer persistent high moisture levels can also help reduce mould growth.
Glazing Silicon: typically a sealant that cures to a very clear finish and offers very good adhesion to glass. Used for bedding in glazing panels, and sealing around the edge of the glass in windows and doors.
Frame Sealant Silicon: this is a tough sealant designed to accommodate large amounts of movement, and it is also better able to withstand exposure to the weather and UV radiation than other types of sealant. It adheres well to most building materials. It is designed for sealing around window and door frames. Often available in a variety of colours designed to match wood and other common framing materials.
Neutral Cure Silicon: most Silicon sealants release acetic acid while curing. This gives off a characteristic vinegar like smell. In some circumstances this odour may be undesirable, or the acetic acid may have a negative impact on the materials being sealed (for example some clear polycarbonate materials may suffer slight staining when exposed to acetic acid). Neutral cure Silicon products reduce or eliminate the production of acetic acid while curing. Often the better quality sealants also tend to be neutral cure products.
Food Safe Silicon: a Silicon product with very low toxicity designed for use in food contact applications. Often used for sealing inside refrigerators.
High Temperature Silicon: designed to withstand high temperatures when cured (typically up to 260°C, but 300°C rated is available). These are often found in applications in electrical and industrial equipment, and for making seals between high temperature surfaces.
Aquarium Silicon: a very tough Silicon designed for glueing and sealing glass in aquarium applications. It is not advised to use building silicones for fish tank construction.
Other specialist silicones: there are a number of other specialist Silicon products designed for different industrial uses. For example in the electronics industry. Many of these are designed for coating circuit boards to resist moisture penetration, or for "potting" assemblies, joints, and circuits.
Sealant Chemistries - http://www.adhesives.org/adhesives-sealants/adhesives-sealants-overview/sealant-technologies/sealant-chemistries
Ref. Univar Specialty Consumables - https://www.univarsc.com/
Silicon sealant is actually quite a broad term that is used a lot especially when it comes to DIY jobs, the first thought for most people is to go to their local DIY store and grab the cheapest one in the right colour.
The reality is though, there is no one single type of Silicon sealant that should be used for everything. In fact there are many, all different types that all have different flexibility, durability and resistance. So how do you know you are using the right one for the job?
Silicon sealant is generally categorised by what job it is suitable for, making choosing the right product very straight forward.
Uses for Silicon sealants:
- Sealing gaps around baths, showers, windows, worktops
- Fixing mirrors or glass to tiled surfaces
- Sealing gutters and downpipes
- Repairing rubber trim on cars
- Moulding into soft rubber goods of most shapes
- Making reusable flexible moulds
- Gluing aquariums together
- UV resistance
- Temperature resistance
- Highest movement capability (Class 50–100)
- Generally longer service life
- Continued flexibility over time
Silicon types in common use in the industry include: High Modulus, Low modulus, Neutral cure and Acetoxy cure.
The meaning of high and low can be explained simply: a low modulus will need just a low force to stretch it, and will have better elasticity and movement, a high modulus is more rigid. In deciding which modulus is best for a given application, then desired movement characteristics is the main thing to take into consideration.
Sealant types
Low modulus sealants are stretchy but not the most hardwearing, they are the best option for sealing glass wall assemblies, perimeter seals, on curtain walling, perimeter sealing of polyester powder coated frames and glazing of windows in swimming pool buildings. These sealants offer better adhesion and accommodate more movement. These sealants are generally very long lasting.
High modulus sealants are less stretchy but more hardwearing, they are recommended for use in sealing Baths, showers, sinks, wash basins, kitchen worktops and many other sanitary and internal applications. They can also be used on Shop fronts, show cases and glass to glass joints.
Acetoxy Silicon sealants release acetic acid (which smells a little like vinegar) as they cure, this is the most commonly used - it is more rigid and the full cure is quick. On the downside it generally has poor adhesion and leaves much to be desired in how well it 'sticks' to PVC-U, most other plastics, and glass, aluminium and Polycarbonate.
Neutral (meaning neutral alcoxy) Silicon sealants release alcohol as they cure, and has almost no smell, they have better adhesive properties for a greater number of materials including PVC-U, most other plastics, glass, aluminium, lead, stone and masonry and Polycarbonate. On the downside they can be more expensive, and is slower to cure at one to five days depending on thickness, temperature and humidity conditions.
Neutral cure or Acid cure?
Acid-cure silicones work best on non-porous surfaces such as glass and glazed tile, but they can corrode metal and etch some plastics, whilst neutral-cure silicones work well on metal and wood.
Which sealant for my application?
Low Modulus Acetoxy (LMA) sealants are the cost effective "all-rounders", they are suitable for a wide variety of general building, sanitary (when they contain a fungicide), glazing interior and exterior applications and adhere to many common building materials.
Low Modulus Neutral (LMN) sealants are the best option for the sealing of UPVC Window or Door Frames (exterior). They offer better adhesion, accommodate more movement and are generally longer lasting than LMA's.
High Modulus Acetoxy (HMA) sealants are most commonly used for kitchen and sanitary applications (ensure the sealant contains a fungicide).
General purpose and builders Silicon: this is the basic general purpose Silicon sealant. It sticks well to most building materials and offers good elasticity and durability but usually do not contain any fungicides.
Sanitary Silicon: a Silicon that includes a fungicide to reduce formation of mould on Silicon that is frequently exposed to moisture. To reduce the chance of mould forming it is important to get the surface of the Silicon joint as smooth as possible. This also makes cleaning it easier. Improving ventilation in rooms that suffer persistent high moisture levels can also help reduce mould growth.
Glazing Silicon: typically a sealant that cures to a very clear finish and offers very good adhesion to glass. Used for bedding in glazing panels, and sealing around the edge of the glass in windows and doors.
Frame Sealant Silicon: this is a tough sealant designed to accommodate large amounts of movement, and it is also better able to withstand exposure to the weather and UV radiation than other types of sealant. It adheres well to most building materials. It is designed for sealing around window and door frames. Often available in a variety of colours designed to match wood and other common framing materials.
Neutral Cure Silicon: most Silicon sealants release acetic acid while curing. This gives off a characteristic vinegar like smell. In some circumstances this odour may be undesirable, or the acetic acid may have a negative impact on the materials being sealed (for example some clear polycarbonate materials may suffer slight staining when exposed to acetic acid). Neutral cure Silicon products reduce or eliminate the production of acetic acid while curing. Often the better quality sealants also tend to be neutral cure products.
Food Safe Silicon: a Silicon product with very low toxicity designed for use in food contact applications. Often used for sealing inside refrigerators.
High Temperature Silicon: designed to withstand high temperatures when cured (typically up to 260°C, but 300°C rated is available). These are often found in applications in electrical and industrial equipment, and for making seals between high temperature surfaces.
Aquarium Silicon: a very tough Silicon designed for glueing and sealing glass in aquarium applications. It is not advised to use building silicones for fish tank construction.
Other specialist silicones: there are a number of other specialist Silicon products designed for different industrial uses. For example in the electronics industry. Many of these are designed for coating circuit boards to resist moisture penetration, or for "potting" assemblies, joints, and circuits.
