Any sealant is a complex composition polymer materials, used to seal and seal the joints of products. They are made mainly on the basis of rubber, which allows them to be elastic. Another quite significant property of sealants is their high adhesion to a wide 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
On sale at the moment you can see a huge number of varieties of sealants, 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:
- Number of components.
- Depending on the basis.
By number of components
In turn, considering the first class, we can distinguish one-component and two-component ones.
It also has its own characteristics. If we talk about one-component compositions, then their use (application) is possible immediately after purchase. But with two-component ones it’s a little more complicated.
Such compositions include two components, the first is the material itself, the second is the activator. In this case, the second can be different substances, and even certain conditions. There are three types in total:
- Vulcanizing under the influence of moisture, heat or catalysts, they change viscous plasticity to an elastic rubber-like state.
- Non-drying when heated, they become fluid and viscous, softening. When cooled, they again change their state to their original solid state.
- 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 compositions are not very popular, which is why single-component substances are most often used.
Types depending on the base
According to the polymer that is the basis of the composition, they distinguish
- Silicone
- Polyurethane
- Hybrid MS-polymers
- Siliconized
- Thiokols
- Acrylic
- Bituminous
- Butyl sealants.
Each type has its own specific properties, advantages and disadvantages, and can also only be used in certain conditions, which are worth considering.
Silicone
Silicone sealants are universal, due to their unique characteristics. Are the most popular view from sealants and are cheap in cost.
Among the advantages of this type:
- First of all, they have high performance over a wide temperature range. Thus, it can be used at temperatures from -30 to +60 degrees, without losing its properties.
- The polymer forms a monolithic coating that has good elasticity and durability.
- Available big choice color range composition.
But it is worth noting several significant disadvantages:
- Although such a sealant creates perfect surface, but are not painted, since the paint contains a substance that destroys the structure. Thus, in the case of painting, the paint flakes off as it dries.
- Such compositions do not have a high price.
- AND main problem It becomes impossible to apply an additional layer after drying. Since in this case both new and old layer will peel off and you will have to completely re-seal the surface.
In turn, this type of material is further divided into two types:
- Acidic.
- Neutral.
Each of the subspecies also has its own characteristics. 
Acid cannot be used to seal metal surfaces, since it is based on acetic acid, which in turn will corrode the metal over time. It is also not recommended for use on cement surfaces.
Neutral compositions, in turn, are unique and can be used for any type of surface. In addition, they come with a large number of different additives. For example, a fungicidal additive can create 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, can withstand temperatures up to 400 degrees.
Polyurethane
Sealants of this type are a unique adhesive composition that has many advantages, including:
- They have high adhesion to building materials of any type, therefore they can be used on any surface.
- Since the material is not exposed to temperature and can withstand significant changes, it can be used for both outdoor and interior works.
- The coating can be painted.
- The composition does not corrode and is also resistant to precipitation.
The only significant drawback of the material is destruction under the influence of ultraviolet rays. 
Most often, this type of sealant is used in roofing, ventilation, air conditioning and when working with PVC slabs.
Hybrid MS-polymer sealants
Today, polymers of this kind are found in most modern adhesives and sealing compounds. As the latest developments in elastomeric materials, hybrid adhesive-sealants combine best properties silicones and polyurethanes, while surpassing them in physical and technological characteristics.
Due to this connection, they acquire a large list of advantages:
Has a number of advantages:
- high resistance to weather conditions and UV;
- maintaining high elasticity and stability of properties over 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 rapid curing;
- absence of silicones, isocyanates and solvents;
- neutral type of curing.
Hybrid sealants are mainly used for sealing interpanel seams, which is due to the many advantages of the material. It must also be said that it is quite expensive, so its use in all areas of construction and repair is not always possible.
One-component hybrid MS polymers and two-component formulations are widely used in industry.
This sealant polymerizes under the influence of air humidity: the higher its value, the faster the curing process occurs. Temperature also influences the rate of polymerization environment. Simultaneous increase in these parameters significantly reduces the curing time. average speed polymerization is 3 mm per day. Two-component hybrid MS polymers
The diagram clearly demonstrates the advantages of hybrid formulations on based on MS polymer over polyurethanes and silicones. This allows MS-
correspond to compositions high requirements, presented to
technological materials during production and operation
lighting devices.
Thiokol
The next type of sealant is thiokol. This is one of the highest quality and durable compounds. When used in the required environment, and for it this is an extreme environment with frequent exposure to chemical compounds, it has practically no disadvantages, but at the same time a number of characteristic advantages can be noted:
- High level of resistance to constant exposure to solvents, kerosene, gasoline, acids and oils.
- Weather resistant.
- Withstands temperature changes in the range from -50 to +130 degrees.
- Noted low level bandwidth steam and moisture.
Speaking about the use of the composition, as already mentioned, it is resistant to aggressive environments, and therefore is used in places where constant exposure is typical chemical elements. Most of them are parking lots, garages, gas stations, stations, etc. 
An additional place of application is repair and roofing, where it is used due to its good adhesion to metal, as well as its low level of moisture permeability.
It is also worth noting that thiokol- at 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 is worth noting separately that there are certain special types of acrylic sealants with decent performance properties.
Among the advantages are noted: 
- They have high adhesion to porous substrates, for example, wood, concrete, plaster, etc.
- Easy to process.
- Coating with varnish or paint is allowed.
- The coated base can be primed.
But there is also a fairly extensive number of disadvantages:
- Not very elastic
- Afraid of moisture
- They do not tolerate exposure to atmospheric precipitation.
- Can't stand it large differences temperature.
- Turns yellow.
- Easily damaged and does not tolerate mechanical loads.
Considering all the pros and cons, this composition is used when installing skirting boards, doors, floors, and also when working with drywall. Those. The main area of application is interior work. You can also use acrylic to fill small cracks in wooden furniture and brick walls. 
Bituminous
Bitumen compounds good for waterproofing rooms because it has good adhesion to different types materials, especially concrete, bricks, metal, wood, roofing and waterproofing materials.
The only drawback is that bitumen is susceptible to high temperatures and, when exposed to them, takes on a liquid form.
Bitumen is most popular in the construction of houses, basements, garages, etc. They are mainly used in the construction of foundations, installation of roofing systems, waterproofing of pillars and roof repairs. 
Butyl
This material is a thermoplastic mass, which is created on the basis of polyisobutylene rubber.
The material has quite a few advantages, including:
- No volatile components in the composition.
- High level of adhesion to aluminum, glass and steel.
- Not susceptible to ultraviolet rays.
- Retains its properties under significant temperature changes.
- It sets quickly and forms a thick, elastic layer.
- Have high vapor permeability
- Low cost.
- Big operational period(up to 20 years old).
Among the disadvantages of the material.
Nowadays there are a huge number of sealants on sale, each of which is adapted for specific needs.
In this article we will try to make a certain classification of sealants, and also consider ways of using them for various materials.
Sealants divided into two large groups– these are one-component and two-component.
The most common are one-component sealants. They can be used immediately after purchase.
Two-component sealants, as the name implies, consist of two parts: a base and an activating additive. These two parts are packaged separately. If necessary, mix them in the right proportions and get the finished composition.
Such sealants are in less demand because it is easier to buy a ready-made one-component one and seal what is needed. Stores sell mostly one-component ready-made formulations.
Depending on the basis they are divided into:
- acrylic;
- polyurethane;
- thiokol;
- bituminous;
- silicone.
Each of these types of sealant is well suited for specific conditions. For example, bitumen sealant is most often used in the construction of roofs and foundations, and thiokol sealants, which are resistant to chemicals, used in garages and gas stations.
Acrylic sealant
This is one of the cheapest types of sealants because it is intended only for interior work. It does not tolerate precipitation, temperature changes, and cannot withstand mechanical loads.
Has good adhesion to various porous surfaces, such as wood, brick, concrete, foam concrete, aerated concrete, drywall, plaster.
Acrylic sealant can be easily processed using conventional sandpaper. It can be painted and coated with various primers.
Application area.
Based on its properties, it is used during installation wooden skirting boards, doorways, when laying floors, when working with plasterboard, i.e. indoors where there are no high mechanical loads.
It dissolves well with water, so when sealing deep cracks, acrylic sealant diluted with water is simply poured there.
They can also repair small cracks in wood, furniture, brick and concrete walls.
Polyurethane sealant
It is an elastic adhesive composition that has high adhesion to metal, stone, plastic, ceramics, wood, concrete, and cellular concrete.
It can be used for external and internal work.
It is not afraid of temperature changes, tolerates precipitation well, is resistant to corrosion, and is easy to paint.
Application area.
Polyurethane sealant is usually used for roofs and attics, ventilation systems, air conditioning systems, with PVC sealing slabs
Thiokol sealant
One of the most durable sealants is thiokol. It is highly resistant to contact with solvents, acids, alkalis, gasoline, kerosene, and various oils.
Not afraid of precipitation. The operating temperature range is from -50 0 C to +130 0 C. It has low gas and moisture permeability.
Application area.
Due to its special properties, it is used in places where it is necessary to prevent contact with various chemical liquids. Such places can be gas stations, garages, fuel stations, etc.
Thiokol sealant, due to its low moisture permeability and high adhesion to metal, is also used in the repair of metal roofs.
Bitumen sealant
One of the most used sealants in the construction of houses, garages, basements, cellars. Has good adhesion to aerated concrete, foam concrete, brick, metal, wood, various roofing and waterproofing materials.
Does not withstand high temperatures and becomes fluid.
Application area.
As a rule, they are used when constructing foundations, drainage systems, when laying bitumen-based roofing materials, when sealing cracks in the roof, and for waterproofing wooden and metal poles.
Silicone sealant
This is one of the most common and versatile sealants. It gained its popularity due to its high characteristics.
It is perfectly adapted to any weather conditions and aggressive environments, retains its properties at temperatures from -30 0 C to +60 0 C, has very high elasticity, moisture resistance and durability.
Silicone sealants cannot be painted after they have hardened because the paint will simply peel off. Therefore, a large number of sealants of various colors are produced.
You should also know that when it hardens, the silicone sealant turns into a single whole and if you want to re-apply another layer of sealant to the old one, it simply will not stick and will fall off. In such cases, you will have to remove all the old layers and re-seal.
Silicone sealants are divided into two types: acidic (acetic) and neutral.
Acidic ones are not used in contact with metals, because acetic acid contained in the composition may cause corrosion. It is also not advisable to use them when sealing materials containing cement.
Neutral silicone sealants are considered more universal. Basically, they are sold with various additives that enhance the necessary properties.
There are heat-resistant silicone-based sealants that can withstand temperatures up to +400 0 C.
If you add fungicides to the composition, you get a sanitary silicone sealant that can resist the appearance of mold. It is used for various needs at high humidity. For example, when laying tiles in a swimming pool, in a bathroom, in a toilet, in a kitchen, etc.
Sealants are vulcanizable compositions based on polymers (polysulfide or liquid silicone rubbers) intended for sealing seams and joints between various types surfaces.
The following main characteristics of sealants are distinguished:
- strength;
- resistance to deformation;
- adhesion to materials;
- curing shrinkage (for curing sealants);
- elasticity;
- service life indoors and outdoors.
High-quality sealants must retain physical-chemical and physical-mechanical properties throughout their operation, have good adhesion to the material from which the sealed structure is made, and not emit toxic substances.
Classifications of sealants
Based on readiness for use, sealants are divided into:
- one-component (suitable for direct use);
- two-component and multi-component (requiring precise and thorough mixing of components before use).
Single-component sealing materials, in turn, are divided according to chemical composition basics. The table below shows the types of sealants, their composition, areas of application, advantages and disadvantages.
| Type of sealants | The basis | Scope of application | Advantages | Flaws |
| Silicone | Silicone rubber | In everyday life: for sealing seams of plumbing products and components household appliances. In construction: for structural glazing, installation of polycarbonate structures and wall panels, installation of double-glazed windows in the frame, for sealing various construction joints. In industry: in the production of aquariums, for sealing fireproof seams, seams in paint booths, air ducts, assemblies of electronic devices and circuit boards, industrial and street lamps. For attaching mirrors, sealing gaskets in engines and radiators | Increased strength properties and thixotropic properties (do not drain from vertical surfaces). Chemical inertness, high elasticity (up to 800% even after 20 years of service), resistance to ultraviolet radiation, wide range of operating temperatures (-60... +300 °C), good adhesion to all building materials, wide range of colors | High price, impossibility of coloring |
| Acrylic | Acrylic emulsion | Insulating sealants for filling seams and sealing joints. Best suited for low-movement seams. Can be used for internal, less often for external work | Have high strength adhesion to various porous surfaces (wood, concrete, brick, plaster, drywall). They do not contain solvents or other toxic substances, therefore they do not cause any obvious harm to human health. Can be painted any color and are inexpensive | Destroyed under conditions high humidity, inelastic |
| Polyurethane | Polyurethane (isocyanate and polyol from crude oil) | Recommended for structural sealing building structures, mansard roofs, roofing seams, ventilation systems, air conditioners, butt joints between walls, as well as around the perimeter of windows and doors | Excellent adhesion to most materials | UV instability high price, limited color palette |
| Butyl | Polyisobutylene | Most often used for primary sealing of double-glazed windows | Excellent adhesion to glass, aluminum and galvanized steel, containing only solids and no solvents. Vapor permeability, good elasticity, resistance to ultraviolet irradiation, low price | Narrow range of applications due to low tensile strength at low temperatures ah, only black color |
| Bituminous | Modified bitumen polymer | Excellent for sealing, sealing and filling roof cracks, drainage systems, greenhouse roofs | Good adhesion to various building materials (bitumen, wood, metal, plastic, concrete, etc.). Performance at low temperatures, affordable price | Does not withstand high temperatures, color only black |
Separately, it is worth noting that they are the most universal of all listed. Taking into account the fact that they necessarily contain a vulcanizing component, they are further divided into two types: acidic (during vulcanization they release acetic acid with a characteristic odor) and neutral (amine, amide, oxime and alcohol). Sealants of both subtypes have their advantages and disadvantages. For example, acidic ones are cheaper than neutral ones, but they cannot be used to seal surfaces and materials that react with acetic acid to form soluble salts(cement-containing materials, aluminum, marble, etc.). In this regard, neutral sealants are preferable.
By introducing additional components and additives, silicone sealants are given properties such as water resistance (aquarium sealants), heat resistance (motor seals), and resistance to mold formation (sanitary sealants with fungicidal additives).
Unlike one-component sealants, which are cured by moisture and air, two-component sealants are cured using a special catalyst, which is stored separately from the base.
Guaranteed curing time is the main technical advantage of two-component formulations. In addition, they have better strength characteristics than single-component ones, are more environmentally friendly and are cheaper. The main disadvantage of two-component sealants is the possibility of errors when dosing and mixing components, which leads to loss of quality finished material in the seam. It is worth noting, however, that the form of packaging of a two-component sealant with simultaneous portion measurement of the components practically eliminates dosing errors. The quality of the mixed composition can be easily ensured visually - for this purpose, the components of the sealant have different colors.
Typical applications for sealants
Each type of sealant has its most typical applications. So, acrylic compositions are used for sealing indoors, but are not recommended for external sealing of windows, double-glazed windows and places exposed to water, solutions and other liquids.
To carry out gluing and sealing work in a biologically aggressive environment (toilets and bathrooms, kitchens, swimming pools, showers, etc.), sealants with fungicidal (antifungal) additives are needed - they prevent the formation of mold on surfaces. However, such sealants cannot be used for products and materials that come into contact with food (except those specifically designed for this purpose).
For the repair and manufacture of aquariums, only those that meet the increased requirements for tensile strength (at least 25 kgf/cm2), resistance to biologically aggressive environments and safety for living organisms are used.
For sealing seams in engines and gearboxes, finishing stoves and fireplaces, they are used with operating temperatures up to +300 °C. They do not lose elasticity and do not collapse when heated, are oil resistant and do not react with metals.
To seal seams that are constantly exposed to ultra-high temperatures (up to +1500 °C), there are special fire-resistant sealants.
Sealants, packaged in standard cartridges and foil tubes, are applied using special guns or a spatula. Materials in tubes are directly squeezed onto the seam. Immediately after applying the composition, the seam can be shaped with a special spatula. The initial setting time of the sealant is from 10 to 30 minutes, complete hardening occurs within 24 hours.
To some materials, mainly plastics (polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, Teflon, PVC), the adhesion of the vast majority of sealants is insufficient. In this case, either specialized sealants for specific materials or primers are used. The latter create an intermediate layer between the surface and the sealant, providing a strong connection between dissimilar and initially incompatible bases.
Removing sealants
Uncured sealants are removed with a cloth and special wipes soaked in solvent or water (depending on the type of sealant and the surface being treated).
Polymerized compounds are removed only mechanically: hard ones - with abrasive materials and tools, uncured ones - with a knife or scissors.
Storage of sealants
It must be remembered that after opening the package, the sealant cannot be stored for a long time, since as a result of loss of tightness it loses its properties.
Sealing materials are stored in a dry, cool place at a temperature of +5 to +30 °C. Silicone, butyl, bitumen and polyurethane sealants can withstand short-term storage at temperatures down to -18 ° C.
Under repair Special attention should be given correct selection materials. One of the most versatile and frequently used is sealant. About what they are, what types there are, where and how they are used, as well as how to choose the right one required sealant, we will tell you in our article.
What is a sealant in the broad sense of the word? Construction material, based on polymers, vulcanizing at room temperature, used for gluing, sealing, filling small cracks and gaps, and retaining elastic properties after complete drying. Sealants are sold in tubes and tubes. In the first case, the sealant is squeezed into the sealing area by hand, in the second - using a special gun.
Types of sealants
Acrylic
The main component is acrylate resins. After drying they become less elastic. Have good adhesion with most porous materials building materials(concrete, brick, wood and the like). Since they cannot withstand low temperatures (below -20 °C), they are most often used indoors to seal seams. doorways and windows, filling cracks. After complete drying you can paint it acrylic paints to match the color of the surface. They can be non-moisture resistant - more environmentally friendly, odorless, but destroyed by water, and moisture resistant - can withstand the ingress of small amounts of water. Anyway, Chemical properties acrylic sealants are not allowed to be used in places that are constantly in contact with water.
Silicone
The main component is silicone (at least 45%). Highly elastic even after complete drying. Good adhesion to almost all materials, including non-porous ones: ceramics, glass, aluminum and the like. Water resistant. Used to seal any seams and joints. Since silicone cannot be painted on its own, it is available in both transparent and already colored various colors form. Divided into:
- silicone sealants general purpose— contain at least 45% silicone rubber and at least 45% hydrophobic filler;
- sanitary silicone sealant - contains antifungal additives that prevent the formation of mold, which often occurs in bathrooms;
- sealant for aquariums - on the one hand, it is not subject to the negative effects of the aquarium’s biological environment, on the other hand, it does not emit any harmful substances;
- window sealant— contains additives that prevent the formation of mold and increase resistance to ultraviolet exposure to sunlight.
Polyurethane
Manufactured on the basis of polyurethane. The high-strength and at the same time elastic properties of such sealants allow them to be used for any work. The only negative is the high toxicity before complete drying. Therefore, it is better to use polyurethane sealants for outdoor work and be sure to use personal protective equipment when working.
Bituminous
Bitumen-based sealants. They are mainly used for roof repairs. They have very good adhesion to any roofing materials. Weather and moisture resistant. They are applied only at positive temperatures, but after drying they can withstand negative temperatures down to -50 ° C.
Sealants for threaded connections
A separate type of highly specialized sealants. As the name suggests, they are used for sealing threads along with plumbing flax, fum tape and similar materials. It should be emphasized that unlike other types of sealants, which have several areas of application, this one is the most specific. It is used only for threads and, just as important, no other sealant is suitable for these purposes!
It is also possible to distinguish hybrid versions of sealants: acrylic-latex, silicone-polymer (MS-polymer), but today, due to high price, they did not gain much popularity.
How to choose the right sealant
The first thing you need to decide is the amount of work. As already mentioned, sealants come in tubes and tubes. The volume of tubes ranges from 40 to 150 ml, price up to 150 rubles. The volume of the tube is about 250 ml, the price is from 150 rubles. In addition, sealant of this packaging is used only in conjunction with a special gun, the minimum price of which is 100 rubles. Thus, if the amount of work is small, then it makes sense to buy sealant in tubes. The total price of the tube and gun is at least 250 rubles, which is significantly higher than the price of the tube, but if you plan to use more than 250 ml of sealant, then it makes sense to spend money on a gun for the tubes. In addition, such a purchase will be justified by the fact that it is used not only for sealants, but also for any other materials in similar packaging (liquid nails, adhesives, etc.), that is, it can also be useful in the household.
The second is the manufacturer. Generally speaking, you can find sealants from various manufacturers in stores. The most famous: “Moment” (Henkel), Titan, Cerezit, “Bison”. In addition to them, there are a huge number of little-known ones, which make no sense to list. The cost per unit of production may vary significantly. What to choose: brand or noname? In the price of branded sealants, a large percentage is the name, so when buying such a product, you get guaranteed quality, but by definition you overpay. By buying sealant from an unknown company, you save money, but you risk stumbling upon a low-quality product. In principle, most often there is practically no difference in the quality of branded and non-branded sealants. Therefore, if you have already bought products from a little-known company, and you were satisfied with them, then you can safely use them in the future. If only sealants from manufacturers completely unfamiliar to you are on sale, then in order to minimize the risk, you should pay attention to two points.
Date of manufacture and expiration date - the sealant should be as fresh as possible. In this case, the date of manufacture and expiration date must be marked on the body of the tube or tube with indelible paint or embossed. If they try to sell you a sealant on which the date and production date are indicated on an adhesive paper sticker, then most likely they want to deceive you and sell you an expired product.
The quality of the case. Even if the sealant is not expired, this does not mean that it is good. Unfortunately, it is not possible to look inside the tube before purchasing, but you can pay attention to the packaging itself, how well it is made. Also, don't be shy and smell the product. The tubes must be completely sealed and therefore should not smell of anything. The smell of ammonia is a sure sign of leaky packaging, and therefore of poor quality of the product as a whole. The tubes have a movable piston on the back - it is this that squeezes out the sealant, like in a syringe. Therefore, tubes cannot boast of absolute tightness. Because of this, a faint odor will always be present, but it will be a faint one, not a strong one.
Third is the scope of application. This has already been written above, the most important thing is that if you don’t know which sealant is best to use in your particular case, then consult a specialist. Moreover, it makes sense to describe to him exactly the problem that needs to be solved, and he will tell you how and with what help this can be done.
For example, your water pipe is leaking. Most people believe that to repair pipes it is enough to coat the outside of the leak with sealant and that’s it, completely forgetting that the water pressure from inside the pipe will simply tear off such a patch. The specialist will immediately point out this nuance and advise you to either use a pipe bandage together with the sealant, or suggest some other way to eliminate the leak, and thereby save you from unnecessary expenses.
In conclusion, a few words about tools and auxiliaries for working with sealant.
Pistols. There are manual, pneumatic and electric, depending on the method of driving the piston. Pneumatic and electric are used only by professionals. For domestic purposes, hand pistols are quite sufficient. They are skeletal (above) and semi-corpus (below) open type. In addition to open-type pistols, there are tubular or closed type. They are used to work with sealant that does not have individual packaging (tubes). This tool is used for professional purposes only.
Putty knife. Rubber or plastic spatulas are used to level the applied layer of sealant. However, most work can be done using only your hands. At the same time, however, we should not forget about personal protection. For this purpose, disposable rubber gloves are sufficient.
Sealant removers. Firstly, before work, it makes sense to stick strips of masking (paper) tape along the lines where the sealant is applied. It will do finished work more accurate and will protect surfaces from contamination by excess material. If after all workplace was dirty, then you can remove the sealant from the surfaces in two ways:
- Mechanical. Excess is removed with any scraper. In addition to the need to clean contaminated areas, it should be remembered that the sealant is always applied in excess, which is either removed with a finger or spatula before drying, or cut off with a knife after drying.
- Chemical. Where to clean the sealant mechanically If it doesn’t work, special chemicals are used, for example Silicon-Entferner, Sili-Kill, Soudal Sealant Remover and the like. They are also great for softening thick layers of hardened sealant. Chemicals Only suitable for removing silicone. Acrylic and other sealants can only be removed mechanically.
It should be remembered that a fresh layer of silicone sealant practically does not stick to the already vulcanized old layer, so in such cases, special attention must be paid to removing traces of dried material.
Video on the topic
Related link: Kitchen.
Sealants are most often required either to seal cracks in countertops, or to seal joints between two countertops at the point of contact with walls, sinks, stoves, etc. Sealants used for these purposes should not contain any harmful substances, and at the same time be moisture resistant, about which you also need to look for information on the packaging.
Door frames and window frames.
On the outside, neutral silicone and acrylic sealants are used.
Parquet.
To correct parquet defects, eliminate cracks and seal seams along baseboards, acrylic sealants that have good adhesion to wood are used. It is better to take tone-on-tone compositions that do not need to be painted.
Heating systems.
The main criterion when choosing a sealant for this area of work is resistance to deformation. An acceptable option is silicone sealants (acidic or neutral). If you take acrylic ones, then only special ones that are resistant to high temperatures. There are sealants that can withstand temperatures above 1000°C. They are used, in particular, for sealing cracks and crevices in fireplaces, hearths and fireboxes, as well as around chimneys and pipes.
- Do not try to use one universal sealant for all surfaces. The most effective are specialized compounds, the adhesion of which is designed for the specific material that you need to process. Universal preparations are designed for an average indicator; they cannot provide a high degree of sealing.
- It is necessary to take into account that all general construction household sealants are not afraid of rain, snow, moisture and water flowing down the roof. But don't try to use them to, say, seal an aquarium or swimming pool. In addition, sealants with antifungal additives should never be used to seal aquariums. This will lead to the death of the fish.
- Works in winter time require appropriate technological characteristics sealant. Therefore, the composition that performed well in the summer may behave completely differently on the same surface in the winter.
- When working at joints with high mobility (roofing, metal hangars) and large lengths, the sealant must have increased elasticity.
- The consumption of sealant depends on the volume of the cracks and the thickness of the layer. If the gap is very deep, in order to save money, you can first lay a special sealing cord inside, and fill the remaining void with the selected sealant.
Table 1 - Types and application of sealants
Types of sealants | ACRYLIC | POLYURETHANE | THIOCOL (POLYSULFIDE) |
The basis | Acrylic is a polymer based on acrylic acid derivatives and materials made from them. | Polyurethane – synthetic material, widely used in many fields as a substitute for rubber, rubber, metal and plastic. | Liquid thiokol and thiol-containing polymer. |
Peculiarities | Suitable for external and internal work. | There are one- and two-component ones. | They have a two-component structure. |
Advantages | 1. Maintains elasticity for a long time. 2. They have good adhesion to concrete, brick, plaster, and wood. 3. Absence from the lineup organic solvents and, accordingly, the smell allows you to use use without special protective equipment. 4. The finished seam is resistant to UV rays, does not fade, and is not afraid of water. 5. Retains its properties over a wide temperature range. 6. The surface along the seam can be plastered and painted with any paint and varnish materials. | 1. Havegood adhesion and provide durable gluing surfaces. sealants. 2. Resistant to corrosive agents. 3. Have the ability to withstand mechanical stress3. Possess high stability To impact, resistance to moisture, weak acids and alkalis. 4. They do not change their volume during vulcanization, so as they do not contain solvents. 5. Easily painted with any façade paints, solvent-free. 6. Have a short time hardening (sets quickly). 7. They have excellent elasticity, that is, they are able to stretch many times without breaking, and after removing the load they return to their previous shape. | 1. The most durable, elastic and durable of all types 2. Have good adhesion. action of solvents, alkalis, mineral acids, ozone. 4. Moisture resistant. 5. They are resistant to petrol and oil. 6. Operating temperature range: from – 55°С to + 130°С. 7. Their service life is 20 years or more. |
Flaws | Seasonality of work when finishing the facade, since this type of work with this type of sealant should be carried out in the absence of rain. | They contain harmful, caustic substances, so when working with them, do not allow the composition to come into contact with open areas skin. | They shrink and have a short time of use after preparing the composition. |
Way applications | Apply to a dry, clean surface directly from the tube or using a special gun. The film has already formed 15-20 minutes after application. Unstick time – 1 hour. Full time polymerization – 3 non- Delhi. | The surface is cleaned of grease, debris and dust, and moisture, after which the sealant is applied using a special gun or directly from the foil package. After an hour and a half, a film is formed, and the seam is completely polymerized for every millimeter thickness takes about 7 hours. The sealant must be used immediately after opening the package, so how it quickly loses its properties. If the seam is damaged, it can be easily restored by reapplying the sealant to the same place. When working, be sure to use personal protective equipment (respirator, gloves, etc.). The finished seam can be painted with any paint and varnish material. | To prepare thiokol sealants for use, mix their main hardener component. Ready composition must be used within two hours. Curing occurs in for several hours (sometimes days, depending on the composition). When working, you must use personal protective equipment and avoid contact with skin. |
Sphere applications | For sealing cracks and seams between logs in a wooden house, sealing joints in concrete and reinforced concrete structures, at the junctions of window blocks, stained glass structures, etc. | For gluing and sealing any materials: metal, wood, stone, varnished sheet metal, plastic masses, ceramics, concrete, are usually used for sealing interpanel seams, connections of prefabricated structures, roofing joints, joints of building structures with concrete, metal, wood or PVC surfaces. They can serve as an “ambulance” when repairing seams of silicone sealants. | Sealing concrete and iron joints concrete structures with maximum deformation 25%. |
Table 2 - Types and application of sealants
Types of sealants | SILICONE | BITUMEN AND RUBBER | BUTYL RUBBER |
The basis | Organosilicon polymer – silicone rubber (45% composition). | For bitumen: bitumen is a solid or resin-like product that is insoluble in water. For rubber: synthetic rubber. | Butyl rubber is a copolymer of eobutylene with a small amount of isoprene. |
Peculiarities | They are divided into two types: acid curing and neutral. The former have good adhesion to smooth surfaces and are resistant to moisture and high temperature. The latter are more expensive, but have a wider scope of application, in particular, for sealing plastic surfaces, and do not have a pungent odor. | Can be laid on a damp base. | They belong to the non-curing category and are produced in the form of seals, mounting tapes or tape material of various widths and thicknesses, cords of different diameters, briquettes and mastics of various viscosities. |
Advantages | 1. Durable (serve for more than 15 years). 2. Resistant to UV radiation and almost any aggressive environment. 3. Retain their elasticity properties in a wide temperature range: from -50°C to 200°C- 4. They have excellent adhesion to most types of building materials, as well as glass, metal, ceramics and do not require the use of primers. 5.Perfectly perceive seam deformation (displacement, rotations) and repeat it new uniform without violationItightness. | 1. They have high elasticity. 2. They have good adhesion to most building materials. 3. Resistant to negative weather conditions 4. Well protect the surface from rust. 5. Withstands temperatures from -50°C to 150°C. 6. The service life of such sealants is approximately approximately 20 years. 7. Cured rubber sealant can be painted. | 1. The paste-like consistency allows the roofing material to follow sharp temperature deformations, which none of the cured sealants (for example, various silicones) can replicate. 2. Easily and firmly stick to concrete, wood, glass and other materials. 3. The service life of the material is more than 25 years. |
Flaws | Inability to dye and use for repair work, since the adhesion of fresh silicone sealant to the surface of an old, already vulcanized one is very small. Acid-curing sealants can cause corrosion of some metals and concrete, and are characterized by weak adhesion to plastics, so their scope of application is limited. | Cannot be used on certain types of plastics, as they may be damaged or deformed, and mineral oils, since upon contact with the sealant it softens. Cured bitumen sealant cannot be painted. | Shrinkage, short service life - maximum 5 years. |
Method of application | The sealant is applied to a clean, dry surface from a tube or using a special gun. Work is possible in both cold and hot weather (from -30°C to +60°C), but it must be taken into account that when negative temperatures vulcanization will take longer. The initial setting of the sealant occurs after approximately 30 minutes, and the time for complete polymerization depends on the thickness of the seam. | Working with such sealant is similar to using double-sided tape - removing protective layer on the one hand, we glue the tape to the surface of the material used and, having previously removed the protective layer on the other, we overlap the top layer. If necessary, the tape can be extended with an overlap. |
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Scope of application | For external and internal works. | For sealing joints, seams and cracks in any roofing materials, sealing roof gutters, drainpipes, chimneys and lanterns; for fastening and repairing roofing felt and other bitumen coatings; for fixing insulating materials(polyurethane, expanded polystyrene) to various substrates. | For device new roof and repair existing, sealing seams and joints of metal and slate roofs, seams and joints of building structures, interpanel seams and installation of vertical and roof windows.★ Memo for the gardener - a lot... |