In construction, sealants are used to keep fluids and other substances from passing through material surfaces, joints, or openings. They can also operate as a fire-stopping component and prevent the passage of air, sound, dust, insects, and other things. Also, sealant such as silicone protects the door, roof, walls, floor, etc. from cracks as well.
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The following are the three primary roles of sealants in doors, roof, walls, and floor cracks:
- Fill in the spaces between two or more substrates.
- Create a barrier that prevents other substances from passing through.
- Maintain the expected lifetime of the sealing characteristics.
Types of sealants
The major types of chemicals used in construction:
Silicone sealant
Silicone is the most widely used sealant in both home and industrial settings due to its ease of use, durability, and ability to be vulcanized at room temperature (RTV). It remains frequently utilized for high-rise building sealing, bridge joints, and various weatherproofing applications. These often find utilization in the sealing of sanitary joints in homes due to their water resistance. Silicone is also the most used sealant for electrical sockets, wiring, and fire-rated joints. After being properly cured, silicone with high strength remains utilized in structural glazing as a load-bearing framework.
Epoxy sealant
Epoxy is widely utilized in the industry because of its excellent sealing and adhesive properties. It remains commonly used in the paint industry because it creates a strong protective covering. These remain widely used in the electronics industry because they stay non-conductive and dry quickly. It remains in use to seal the joint gaps in hybrid circuits, printed circuit boards, and integrated circuits. Epoxy sealants are also used to seal floor joints in high-traffic areas and around swimming pools.
