What is a sealant in construction. Building sealants: types, characteristics, application

Sealant - a material based on oligomers or polymers, provides reliable insulation and protection of the base from external factors. Sealants are indispensable in the field of construction, most often they are used to process connecting seams and joints. There are quick-drying and non-drying (viscous-flow) sealants, they are available in the form of a paste.

Important! Polyurethane foam is not classified as a sealant. Although the properties are similar to other materials, it tends to expand in volume after extrusion.

The main types of sealants

Acrylic sealant

The mixture contains derivatives of acrylic acid. Does not withstand severe frost and heat, constant contact with water: it can flake off from the joint. Before applying, the surface must be prepared, the material will polymerize for 10-15 days.

The pluses include:

• Good adhesion.
• Lack of odors.
• Possibility of additional surface treatment (painting, pasting).

Minuses - not suitable for rooms with high humidity.

Polyurethane sealant

It can be one- and two-component (mix with the catalyst in a certain proportion). It is a rubbery mass that is highly elastic and elongates by 400% at the moment of breaking. The main area of ​​application is household and construction.

The benefits include:

• Fast drying.
• Resistance to external factors.
• The ability to apply at temperatures up to minus 10 degrees.
• Excellent adhesion.
• You can paint the resulting seam.

Of the cons : contain caustic substances, so you need to work with gloves and a mask, do not store for a long time.

Silicone sealant

The pluses include:

• Durability.
• Resistance to external factors.
• Excellent adhesion.
• Plastic.

Minuses: impossibility of application to damp surfaces, it is impossible to additionally process the sealed seam, low adhesion to plastic and silicone.

Thiokol sealant

The polymerizing substance is polysulfide rubber, there are two- and three-component sealants (hardener, sealant and accelerator). Scope of application - reinforced concrete and concrete structures, the surface is cleaned and primed before application.

Pros:

• High strength and durability.
• Resistance to acids, alkalis, external factors.
• Excellent adhesion.
• Long service life.

Minuses: ready-made compositions are not stored for a long time, they can only be applied with gloves.

Rubber, bituminous sealant

Despite the different basis, both materials are used in the same field: for roofing repairs, rubber products, bituminous coatings and insulating building materials. You can work only at positive temperatures, the surface can be left without preparation.

Advantages:

• Adhesion, elasticity.
• Anti-corrosion properties.
• Further surface treatment is possible.
• Long service life.

Minuses: incompatible with some plastics, mineral oils.

Butyl rubber sealant

Its main constituents are isoprene and isobutylene, an uncured sealant that is often used in the installation and repair of roofing materials and joints. In fact, applying sealant does not seem to work with double-sided tape. After removing the protective film, we attach one side to the repaired product, the other to the base. It is possible to grow the tape with an overlap; paste-like ones can be applied more abundantly.

Pros:

• Excellent flexibility.
• Resistant to deformation.
• Compatible with most materials.
• Reliability.

Minuses: low tensile index, shrinkage.

When choosing a sealant, pay attention to the scope and manufacturer's recommendations.

During repairs, it is very often necessary to cover up the gaps between different surfaces. Often it is important to achieve tightness, in other cases, just to eliminate the gap or hole. This is especially true for bathrooms and toilets, kitchens - rooms with high humidity. For these purposes, a silicone sealant is used. The article describes the properties and applications of this material, its varieties and leading manufacturers.

What is silicone sealant?

Previously, various putties were used to eliminate seams, fill up holes, crevices and other similar works. They had only a temporary effect, quickly washed off, lost aesthetic qualities, and the final result immediately after their application was not very pleasing. Today, silicone sealant is used for all these purposes. It allows you to create a durable, moisture-proof layer that lasts for many years, does not deteriorate, looks beautiful or even invisible.

Silicone sealant is a material for creating a strong, moisture-proof layer, insulating joints, gluing surfaces and sealing joints, which has good resistance to external influences

Sealant composition and properties

Check out these articles as well

The composition of silicone sealant may vary significantly from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the base usually does not change:

• silicone rubber;
• an amplifier that makes the material durable after use;
• plasticizer - gives elastic properties;
• vulcanizer - makes the mixture liquid;
• primer - improves contact with different types of surfaces;
• filler - determines the color of the sealant.

A good silicone sealant must have a density of at least 0.8 g / cm!

Properties largely depend on the type of sealant, but there are general indicators.

• Silicone is not afraid of ultraviolet radiation.
• Withstands moisture, heat, frost and temperature extremes, especially when it comes to heat-resistant silicone sealant.
• Easily connects with various materials.
• Plastic.
• It can be used at temperatures from -50 to +300 degrees Celsius.

Where is silicone sealant used?

The scope of application is very wide. At home, silicone is used to seal various parts, during the installation of a bath or shower, in case of problems with sewer pipes, and so on. At the same time, silicone sealant is often used for outdoor use. Namely: sealing cracks on window frames, making the drain pipes tight, closing the seams during the installation of the roof, etc.

Mixes are produced more often in special hard plastic or soft tubes, which are inserted into pistols for sealants. Small volume products are packed in tubes. Large packages, which are mainly used in industry, are sold in plastic or metal cans. The volume of silicone varies from 50 ml and more.

Differences between sealants

Depending on which vulcanizer was used in the manufacture, sealants are divided into two types.

• Acidic formulations have an atypical odor due to acetic acid. You can work with it only in goggles, gloves, respirator, because the fumes are very toxic and can cause allergies or dizziness. They are used on different surfaces, but at the same time they are dangerous for marble, cement, aluminum!
• Neutral, waterproof sealant, in turn, can be amide, alcohol and amine. Its smell is normal, not harsh, not toxic. Used on a variety of surfaces.

In addition, silicone sealants are:

• single-component - a simple, common type for household needs. It is easy to use and applicable in a wide variety of applications.
• two-component - have complex components. They are usually used in manufacturing.

Advantages and disadvantages of silicone sealant

Silicone sealant is used in many different fields, so you need to know all its benefits.

• It prevents the spread of insects and the formation of mold, which is why it is often used for bathrooms and similar areas.
• The glued surfaces remain flexible and flexible.
• A wide variety of surfaces can be glued.
• Once dry, the sealant is resistant to chemical cleaning agents. And colored species, such as black, blue or other types, also do not change their color.
• After drying, the mixture becomes very strong and can withstand heavy loads.

But with all the advantages, the sealant has several disadvantages.

• PTFE, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene and polycarbonate do not bond well with a sealant.
• The mixture is applied only on an absolutely clean surface, degreased and dry.

Sealant colors

Due to the high popularity of silicone sealant, manufacturers began to make a wide variety of types. This is how a wide range of different colors appeared.

Transparent, it is also colorless used in work with plumbing or where the seam should be invisible. You can also use it to protect joints from moisture ingress, for example, when installing furniture in a kitchen or bathroom. The transparent silicone sealant can be painted over if necessary without affecting its properties.

The colored type (black, gray, beige, red, blue, brown, yellow and others), due to its special composition, does not change color and does not stain. In other words, red will be red and black will be black, and they will not fade either. So you need to buy exactly the color that suits the furniture, walls, windows - the place of application.

Types by scope

Depending on the place of use, silicone sealants are divided into several types.

• Bituminous sealant works very well with cracks in the foundation or basement of buildings. Most often it is black. Can hide damage to slate, shingles. Suitable for bonding a wide variety of surfaces (adhesion is good) and is most often used in the construction of buildings or their restoration. It is moisture resistant, not afraid of temperature extremes, heat and frost.
• The automotive type is applicable for the repair and assembly of a wide variety of automotive parts, including the engine. Popular colors are black, red, blue.

Interesting!

To seal cracks in windows or doors, you should use silicone sealant for external work. It will hold up better and withstand even strong temperature fluctuations.

• The sanitary, waterproof version of silicone is suitable for rooms with high humidity, for example, for a bathroom, toilet room, sauna, bathhouse, kitchen, swimming pool, etc. It prevents the appearance and development of mold and fungi. Color - white, colorless, beige, blue and many others.
• A universal silicone sealant suitable for sealing gaps in plastic and wooden windows. Bonds wood surfaces well. It comes in different colors, but colorless is most often used.
• Electrical insulating - applicable for the repair and assembly of electrical equipment.
• The aquarium mix is ​​non-toxic. It is a water and heat resistant type and is most often used to hold or repair aquarium parts. Such material dries very quickly, after drying it is not dangerous for fish and other aquarium animals, it has a high degree of adhesion. Binds mainly glass and ceramics.
• Heat-resistant silicone sealant is most commonly used in industry. They are used to fasten parts of furnaces, pumps, motors, heating devices, pipes. It is often used in electrical work.

Depending on where and for what the sealant is used, it is worth choosing a certain type, then the work will be done efficiently and over time there will be no problems. If the mixture is chosen incorrectly, it may not fit, it may not be suitable to hold the parts together, it may let moisture, cold, have an unpleasant odor, or something like that.

Silicone Sealant Manufacturers

Today, there are many companies that produce silicone sealant. Each company has its own priorities, some are trying to reduce the cost of the product, others are trying to make it as high quality as possible, and still others are looking for a middle ground. In any case, everyone has disadvantages, but there are also favorites.

• "Tytan" Is a Polish manufacturer that produces high quality sealants at an affordable price. Types: sanitary, bituminous, universal, etc. Price up to $ 10 - depends on the type of product and displacement.
• "Moment" - a manufacturer known for a long time. The products are good, produced in Russia using new technologies. Types: universal, sanitary, bituminous, heat-resistant and others. The prices for them are low, in the range of 2-4 dollars. Particularly popular is the Moment "Herment" line, which includes special and universal sealants for solving a wide variety of tasks.

You can remove excess sealant either with special solutions or with a spatula. And if the mixture has not yet hardened, it is simply washed off with a damp cloth.

• "Makroflex" Is a Finnish company. Their products are of high quality, thanks to which these silicone sealants are used in the most aggressive, extreme conditions. Mixes are produced: sanitary, universal, neutral. Price from $ 2 per tube.
• "Ceresit" well suited for rooms with high humidity, such as a bathroom. The composition contains a number of fungicides that prevent the appearance of fungi. The cost ranges from $ 1 to $ 15, depending on the type of substance and volume. Types: sanitary, universal. Available in different colors, for outdoor or indoor use.
• "Soudal" Is a Polish company producing world-class products. The types are very diverse, in different packages and volumes. The mixtures have good characteristics, they are not harmful. Prices depend on the type of sealant, its volume and range from $ 1 to $ 200.
• "Penosil" Are one-component silicone sealants. Used for indoor and outdoor use. They have good adhesion to metal, plastic, ceramics, wood, glass, surfaces treated with varnish, paint, etc. Types: sanitary, universal, for glass and mirrors, for wood. It does not spread during use, it sets quickly. The price is on average up to $ 7.
• "Ultima" - acid type silicone sealant. Recommended for indoor and outdoor construction. Suitable for bonding glass, wood, ceramics. The colors are different, as is the volume. There are universal, sanitary types and others. This is one of the most affordable options, costing under $ 3.
• Silicone sealants "Krass" manufactured in Finland, Switzerland and some other countries. The main thing in these products is quality. Types: heat-resistant, universal, sanitary, neutral, etc. Suitable for bonding concrete, stone, metal. They can also be used in rooms with high humidity. Prices for household types - from 2 to 7 dollars. But professional products are more expensive.

Silicone sealant allows for easier repairs. It is comfortable, practical and does the job well. When choosing a mixture, it is worth focusing on the needs - for what exactly and where it will be used, as well as on the possibilities. There are good options among expensive and budget brands that are of high quality, but only when used correctly.

Sealants are substances used to seal joints in building or any other structure. They protect surfaces from moisture, steam, gas, dirt. Sealants are used for construction and repair, as well as in everyday life for various needs. They are the easiest way to seal any holes and crevices. To choose the required type of sealant, you need to understand their varieties and the scope of each.

What are

All sealants are divided into classes according to their distinctive features, among which are the chemical component, purpose and degree of elasticity. They allow you to indicate the need to use a particular type of sealant in different situations. Building sealants are divided into:

Thiokol;

Polyurethane;

Acrylic;

Silicone;

Butyl.

Thiokol sealants

These are polysulfide sealants based on thiokol. This type is considered the most durable, elastic and durable. Their validity period is approximately 30 years. They are widely used in mechanical engineering, light industry, shipbuilding, radio engineering. Due to its strength and reliability, this material is considered an ideal log sealant. Therefore, they are increasingly used in the construction of houses. According to their composition, thiokol sealants are divided into two- and three-component. The composition is kneaded immediately before use and completely vulcanized within 10 days.

Sealants of this type are excellent for sealing a variety of shapes, with little to no shrinkage and no solvent release. Building sealants , containing thiokol, can be freely used in all weather conditions. They have an increased level of elasticity, oil-resistant, capable of withstanding aggressive substances and ultraviolet radiation. Mainly available in black and gray.

Polyurethane sealants

They are used in the construction of large-panel buildings, as well as in the role of facade sealants in the construction of large structures. The most popular is TechnoNIKOL sealant. It is used for bonding and sealing various surfaces from:

Metal;

Lacquered tin;

Ceramics;

Polyurethane sealant "Technonikol" is a sealing, adhesive and elastic substance that retains its original consistency for a long time. The main area of ​​application of polyurethane sealants is the sealing of interpanel seams under conditions of increased deformation load. Suitable sealant for log cabins, as well as for all joints subject to vibration or deformation. Due to its strong adhesion ability, it can even withstand earthquakes up to 5 points.

Also, TechnoNIKOL polyurethane sealants are known for their resistance to frost, acids, corrosion, ultraviolet light, weak alkaline and salt solutions. They can be applied to damp surfaces and painted.

Acrylic sealants

They are very popular due to their low cost. Acrylic sealant is used exclusively for internal, domestic work, since it is more plastic than elastic. He is completely incapable of recreating his form after the transferred mechanical impact.

Use acrylic sealants to seal holes and holes that are not subject to vibration. For example, it can be a small space between a window sill and a window, floorboards, a door jamb and part of a wall. Acrylic can be easily diluted with water, so it is convenient to apply it to narrow holes. Also, unlike other construction sealants, acrylic can be easily washed off, the main thing is to have time to do this before it hardens.

In their composition there are no dangerous and toxic substances, they are easy to paint and plaster. The sealant is applied using a special gun or from a tube. The final hardening of the material occurs after 24 hours. Among the shortcomings, one can single out fragility, inability to tolerate too high and low temperatures.

Silicone sealants

They are known for the leading percentage of distribution in the field of repair and construction. Suitable for industrial and domestic use. Silicone sealants are used for outdoor work (sealing the seams of a house, chimneys, sewer and drainpipes), as well as internal (installing mirrors, ceramics, double-glazed windows).

This group of substances has the following advantages:

• resistance to ultraviolet rays;
• the ability to withstand temperature changes;
• high level of adhesion;
• resistance to aggressive environment;
• durability.

Although silicone sealants do not stain, they have their own varied palette. By their structure, they are divided into one- and two-component. The latter are used in the field of industrial production. One-component sealants are divided into neutral and acidic sealants. Acidic ones are much stronger, but during vulcanization, acetic acid is released from them, which leaves an unpleasant odor and causes inconvenience during work. Due to the presence of acid, they should not be used with materials containing metal and cement. Otherwise, there is a huge risk of corrosion. But acidic silicone sealants have a significant advantage - it is their reasonable price.

Butyl sealants

They are a thermoplastic mass based on synthetic rubber (polyisobutylene). It is extremely resistant to bleach, alkalis, acids and many other chemicals. The structure of a vulcanized sealant is very similar to rubber.

Among the advantages of building sealants made of polyisobutylene, one can single out its absolute safety for human health, a high level of adhesion to glass, as well as aluminum and steel, galvanized structures. Elasticity, plasticity, durability and low price of the sealant are considered important factors. Its main area of ​​use is the manufacture of double-glazed windows.

In the domestic sphere, it is often used to seal cracks, gaps and joints between structures. Heat-insulating panels are glued with it, air ducts and air conditioning systems are sealed. The shelf life of these sealants is about 20 years. Of the shortcomings, only the black color of the substance and a narrow field of application can be distinguished.

Selection of materials for sealing

Repair of a panel house, and especially its finishing work, will not go well without sealing bathrooms, windows, doors and various seams. Therefore, it is very important to select high-quality building materials with a long service life, paying attention to the country of manufacture, the company, the type of polymerization (acidic or neutral), as well as the field of application. The time of film formation on the sealant, the period during which it must dry, the permissible temperature changes, and not only during the application of the substance, but also during the entire operational period, should not be overlooked.

Any sealant is a complex composition of polymeric materials that serves to seal and seal the joints of products. They are made mainly on the basis of rubbers, which allows them to be elastic. Another rather significant property of sealants is their high adhesion to the widest range of materials: from wood to iron. Here you need the right choice, and for this you need to carefully study the types of sealants and their properties.

Classification of Sealants

At the moment, you can see a huge number of types of sealants on sale, each of which is designed for a specific operating environment and has its own characteristics.

That is why it is worth considering the classification of the material, and then the individual types.

The compositions themselves are classified according to two criteria:

1. Number of components.
2. Depending on the basis.

By the number of components

In turn, considering the first class, one-component and two-component ones can be distinguished.

It also has its own peculiarities. If we talk about one-component formulations, then their use (application) is possible immediately after purchase. But with two-component it is somewhat more complicated.

Such compositions include two components, the first is the material itself, the second is the activator. In this case, the second may be different substances, and even certain conditions. In total, there are three types:

1. Vulcanizing under the influence of moisture, heat or catalysts, they change the viscous plasticity to an elastic rubber-like state.
2. Non-drying when heated, they become fluid and viscous, soften. Upon cooling, they again change their state to their original solid.
3. Drying sealants during operation, as a rule, they are in an elastic, rubber-like state, but if they are exposed to a solvent, they turn into a liquid viscous-flowing state.

For the most part, such formulations are not very popular, therefore, one-component substances are most often used.

Types depending on the basis

According to the polymer, which is the basis of the composition, they are distinguished

1. Silicone
2. Polyurethane
3. Hybrid MS-polymers
4. Siliconized
5. Thiokol
6. Acrylic
7. Bituminous
8. Butyl sealants.

Each type has its own specific properties, advantages and disadvantages, and can also be used only under certain conditions that should be considered.

Silicone

Silicone sealants are versatile due to their unique characteristics. They are the most popular type of sealant and are cheap in cost.

Among the advantages of this type:

1. First of all, they have high performance in a wide temperature range. Thus, it can be used at temperatures from -30 to +60 degrees, without losing its properties.
2. The polymer forms a monolithic coating that has good elasticity and durability.
3. There is a large selection of colors for the composition.

But there are several significant disadvantages worth noting:

1. Although such a sealant creates an ideal surface, it does not stain, since the composition of the paints contains a substance that destroys the structure. Thus, in the case of staining, the paint flakes off when it dries.
2. Such compositions are not expensive.
3. And the main problem is the inability to apply an additional layer after drying. Since in this case, both the new and the old layer will peel off and you will have to completely re-seal the surface.

In turn, this type of material is additionally divided into two more types:

1. Acidic.
2. Neutral.

Each of the subspecies also has its own characteristics.

Acidic acid cannot be used to seal metal surfaces, since it is made on the basis of acetic acid, which in turn will corrode metal over time. And also not recommended for cement surfaces.

Neutral compounds, in turn, are unique and can be applied to any type of surface. In addition, a large number of different additives are supplied with them. For example, a fungicidal additive is capable of creating an airtight coating that prevents mold, which is important when used in rooms with high humidity.

Heat-resistant sealants are also noted, which, thanks to special additives, are able to withstand temperatures up to 400 degrees.

Polyurethane

Sealants of this type are a unique adhesive composition that has many advantages, including:

1. They have high adhesion to building materials of any type, therefore they can be applied on any surface.
2. Since the material is not exposed to temperature, and can withstand significant temperature drops, it can be used for both outdoor and indoor work.
3. The coating can be painted.
4. The composition does not corrode and is also resistant to atmospheric precipitation.

The only significant drawback of the material is destruction under the influence of ultraviolet rays.

Most often, this type of sealant is used for roofing, ventilation, air conditioning and working with PVC plates.

Hybrid MS Polymer Sealants

Today, polymers of this kind are found in most modern adhesives and sealants. As the most recent development in the field of elastomeric materials, hybrid sealant adhesives combine the best properties of silicones and polyurethanes, while surpassing them in physical and technological characteristics.

Due to such a connection, they acquire a large list of advantages:

It has a number of advantages:

• high resistance to weather conditions and UV;
• maintaining high elasticity and stability of properties in a wide temperature range (from -40 ° C to + 120 ° C);
• excellent adhesion to many substrates without the use of a primer;
• accelerated time of formation of the primary film and fast curing;
• absence of silicones, isocyanates and solvents in the composition;
• neutral type of curing.

Hybrid sealants serve mainly for sealing interpanel seams, which is due to the mass of advantages of the material. It must also be said that it is quite expensive, therefore its use in all areas of construction and repair is not always possible.

One-component MS hybrid polymers and two-component formulations are widely used in the industry.

This sealant cures under the influence of air humidity: the higher its value, the faster the curing process takes place. The ambient temperature also has an influence on the polymerization rate. The simultaneous increase in these parameters significantly reduces the curing time. The average polymerization rate is 3 mm per day. Two-component hybrid MS polymers

The chart clearly demonstrates the benefits of hybrid formulations on
based on MS polymer over polyurethanes and silicones. This allows MS-
compositions meet the high requirements for
technological materials during production and operation
lighting devices.

Thiokol

The next type of sealant is thiokol. This is one of the highest quality and most durable compounds. When used in the required environment, and for him it is an extreme environment with frequent exposure to chemical compounds, it has practically no drawbacks, but at the same time, a number of characteristic advantages can be noted:

1. High level of resistance to constant exposure to solvents, kerosene, gasoline, acids and oils.
2. Resistant to weather conditions.
3. Withstands temperature changes in the range from -50 to +130 degrees.
4. There is a low level of steam and moisture permeability.

Speaking about the use of the composition, as already mentioned, it is resistant to an aggressive environment, therefore it is used in places where constant exposure to chemical elements is characteristic. Most of them are parking lots, garages, gas stations, stations, etc.

An additional place of application is the repair and arrangement of the roof, where it is used due to its good adhesion to metal, as well as a low level of moisture permeability.

It is worth noting that thiokol- with high quality, difficult to use.

Acrylic

Some of the cheapest and lowest quality. They are used only for interior work, mainly for painting. Although it should be noted separately that there are some special types of acrylic sealants with decent performance.

Among the advantages of these are noted:

1. They have high adhesion to porous substrates such as wood, concrete, plaster, etc.
2. Easy to handle.
3. Coating with varnish or paint is allowed.
4. The coated substrate can be primed.

But there are also quite a wide range of disadvantages:

1. Not very elastic
2. Are afraid of moisture
3. Do not tolerate exposure to atmospheric precipitation.
4. Cannot withstand large temperature fluctuations.
5. Turns yellow.
6. It is easily damaged and does not tolerate mechanical stress.

Considering all the pros and cons, such a composition finds its application when installing skirting boards, doors, floors, as well as when working with drywall. Those. internal work becomes the main area of ​​application. You can also use acrylic to repair small cracks in wood furniture and brick walls.

Bituminous

Bituminous compositions good for waterproofing premises, as it has good adhesion to various types of materials, in particular to concrete, bricks, metal, wood, roofing and waterproofing materials.

The only drawback is that bitumen is afraid of high temperatures, and when exposed to them, it takes on a liquid form.

Bitumen are most popular in the construction of houses, basements, garages, etc. They are mainly used in the arrangement of foundations, installation of roofing systems, waterproofing of pillars and roof repairs.

Butyl

This material is a thermoplastic mass based on polyisobutylene rubber.

The material has quite a few advantages, including:

1. Lack of volatile components in the composition.
2. High level of adhesion to aluminum, glass and steel.
3. Not susceptible to UV rays.
4. Retains its properties at significant temperature changes.
5. It sets quickly and forms a thick, elastic layer.
6. Have a high vapor permeability
7. Low cost.
8. Long operational period (up to 20 years).

Among the shortcomings of the material.

A sealant is an elastic mixture based on polymer compounds, which is designed to seal joints, fill gaps, cavities, voids around window and door frames, heating pipes, various joints and bends, and some types of sealant are also designed to isolate water seepage.

The scope of use of sealant is very wide, but each type of sealant occupies its own niche in it, a typical scope of use. The group of sealants itself contains a number of different products that differ in their chemical composition and properties.

Types of sealants:

- Acrylic sealants is a mixture of acrylate polymers;

-Butyl sealants- polyisobutylene is taken as a basis;

- Bituminous sealants- is a modified bituminous primer;

- Polysulfide sealants thiokol;

- Polyurethane sealants- polyester resin is taken as a basis;

- Hybrid sealants- mainly polyurethane - silicone;

- Siliconized sealants is a mixture of acrylic and silicone sealants;

- Silicone sealants- these are liquid silicone rubbers and organosilicon rubbers.

Consider the main areas where sealants are used, and also talk about the advantages and disadvantages of sealants.

Acrylic sealants- it is mainly used as an insulating sealant intended for filling joints and sealing joints. The main advantage of acrylic sealant is very high adhesion (coefficient of strength of adhesion) to most surfaces with pores, such as wood, concrete, brick, plaster, drywall. The most successful and optimal application is low-movement seams in these materials.

The main advantage of acrylic sealant is that it can be painted in absolutely any color and has a low cost.

The disadvantages include the fact that this type of sealant is afraid of moisture and is inelastic.

Butyl sealants produced on the basis of polyisobutylene.

Most often, butyl sealants are used for the primary sealing of insulating glass units. Butyl sealants have simply excellent adhesion to glass, aluminum, galvanized steel and they do not contain solvents, which, by their vapors, can damage various window rubber seals and also cause some discomfort in the room.

The advantages of this sealant include vapor permeability, good elasticity and resistance to ultraviolet radiation, as well as low cost.

The disadvantages of this type of sealant include an extremely narrow scope of use, since butyl sealant has low strength at the time of exposure to low temperatures, and the color is only black.

Bituminous sealants- modified bituminous polymer.

Bituminous sealant adheres well to a wide variety of building materials such as bituminous surfaces, wood, insulation board, metal, plastic, etc. Also, this type of sealant tolerates low temperatures very well. Excellent for sealing, sealing or filling cracks in roofs, chimneys or drainage systems. Also, bituminous sealant is used for sealing in greenhouses and greenhouses, filling cracks in the basement and foundation.

The advantages of bituminous sealant include good adhesion to moist materials. The cost of this sealant is in the middle price range.

The disadvantages are that the bituminous sealant does not withstand high temperatures and has only black color.

Polysulfide or thiokol sealants, also known as liquid polysulfide rubbers.

Thiokol sealants are used to seal various construction joints when a high quality seal is required for the area. With the help of polysulfide sealant, they seal joints of heavy and light prefabricated structures, joints in masonry, also seal various water tanks, irrigation structures, water seals and submerged joints of concrete structures.

The advantages include high adhesion to glass, aluminum and galvanized steel, as well as a short curing time.

The disadvantages of thiokol sealant include the difficulty of applying a two-component mixture, as well as the color range of only gray and black colors.

Polyurethane sealants made on the basis of polyester resins.

Polyurethane sealants are used to seal building structures, mansard roofs, roof joints, glazed roofs, ventilation systems, air conditioners, as well as joints between walls and the perimeter of windows and doors.

The advantages include high adhesion to almost all materials.

The disadvantages are that polyurethane sealants are not resistant to UV radiation, as well as the high price and limited variety of colors.

Hybrid sealants(mainly a mixture of polyurethane and silicone)

Usage: For filling joints in high-rise buildings (joints according to DIN 18 540 F) in general construction work, for example, for sealing windows, doors, roofs, for sealing wooden and metal structures, contact with food is possible.

Advantages: High adhesion, characteristic of polyurethanes and elasticity, durability and versatility of silicones, the ability to paint in any color.

The disadvantages of hybrid sealants are considered to be customer distrust of various kinds of innovations.

Siliconized sealants is a mixture of acrylic and silicone sealants.

Siliconized sealants are primarily suitable for parquet installation and furniture assembly. Also used to seal cracks and seams in wooden structures, used for exterior and interior work. Siliconized sealants have high adhesion to porous and non-porous substrates (PVC, concrete, polymer concrete, foam concrete, wood, plaster, brick).

The most important advantage of siliconized sealants is their low price, do not forget that these sealants are resistant to UV radiation, precipitation, temperature deformation, and also have high vapor permeability.

Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting the low elasticity of siliconized sealants, due to the presence of inelastic acrylic sealant in the composition.

Silicone sealants are liquid silicone rubbers

Silicone sealants are the most versatile of all of the above, used in everyday life to seal joints in the bathroom and toilet - a sanitary sealant that contains biocidal additives to prevent mold. So it is in industry for the installation of polycarbonate structures, installation of wall panels, installation of double-glazed windows, for secondary sealing of double-glazed windows, for sealing formwork seams, construction seams. Also used for sealing aquariums, fire seams, household appliances, expansion joints, for sealing industrial and street lamps, air duct seams, gaskets in motors, radiators, for attaching mirrors and much, much more.

The main advantages of silicone sealants are high chemical inertness, high elasticity (up to 800%) even after 20 years of service. Also as an advantage is high resistance to ultraviolet light, excellent adhesion to all building materials, a wide range of colors.

Of the shortcomings, it is worth noting the high price, and the inability to paint the silicone sealant.

All sealants (vulcanized materials for sealing) are divided into:

Ready for use:

- one-component- ready to use immediately

- two or more component- require thorough mixing of the components before starting work.

By type of base:

- urethane;

- silicone;

- polysulfide;