Sealants

Silicone, polyurethane, MS polymer, Hybrid polymers and acrylics are the most popular sealants used in the construction industry today. Silicone sealants have been regarded as the ‘go to’ product for many years as they are able to provide a flexible, durable and watertight seal which remains stable in many environmental conditions and, if applied correctly, will give many years of service. Silicone does not readily accept paints and coatings and can be subject to deterioration through mechanical wear such as aggressive cleaning or heavily trafficked areas.

Polyurethanes demonstrate good adhesive properties and mechanical resistance, they can accept compatible paints and coverings although they can degrade with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light which necessitates careful selection in external applications. MS and Hybrid polymers combine the capabilities of silicone and polyurethane sealants. They can be formulated to have, high adhesive, quick curing, overpaintable and stable UV properties, making them an ideal choice in many construction applications where a durable seal is required, in some cases they can also be used as a structural adhesive.

Acrylic sealants are very popular in applications which need to be painted afterwards as their formulations accept paints and other surface coatings. Acrylics, often referred to as caulks, offer limited flexibility and can be liable to crack or tear in areas of high expansion or contraction so they have limited external use. Specialist, intumescent sealants can be derived from acrylic, silicone and MS polymers and are designed to provide seals in areas where flame retardancy is essential.

Protrade offer a very comprehensive range of sealants from manufacturers such as Maxitek, Soudal and Everbuild providing expert technical advice in product selection.