Silicone sealant - how to ensure the flexibility and quality of the joints ?

Silicone sealant: the pros and cons

siliconized sealant has many advantages, because it is so often used in the construction.It is resistant to UV, moisture, sudden changes in temperature, to a variety of hostile environments.However, it has high elasticity, good adhesion, strength, durability.The undeniable advantage is its low price and ease of application.

Among the disadvantages are the following: clean sealant (without any impurities and additives) is not painted, it can not be applied on wet surfaces, and it has poor adhesion in connections with any plastic (PVC, polypropylene, polycarbonate)hardening sealant slows down at high temperature and low humidity.Therefore observe the operating conditions.

Note! In no case do not buy suspicious origin compounds that may have similar packaging, and lower cost.In these mixtures often add bulk solvent.As a result, the joints may be leaking, quickly cracked.

Silicone sealant: scope

most often written on each package and the scope of the technical characteristics of silicone sealant.For example, for a particular type of work can be a notation: "electrically insulating", "universal", "car", "heat-resistant", "health" (for showers and bathrooms), and several others.Also it is necessary to consult a specialist shop, as in every place of sales are most often a table for use of a particular composition.

can conditionally divided into 3 areas of use sealant: for exterior, interior finish, as well as for areas with high humidity.Outdoor work - this sealing windows, drainpipes, small parts of the roof, joining tiles have fallen away from the stone.Internal - Processing of any elements that are subject to heat applied to drywall ceiling tiles, joints around window sills.In rooms with high humidity is carried out sealing joints between the wall and a shower, sink, attaching the glass.

Specifications each composition may vary (depending on the application).However, in general, the drying time of the silicone sealant is 2mm per day, a tensile strength of about 1,2 N / mm2, it is stable at t -60 to + 300 ° C.The desired temperature at which it should be used is from 5 to 40 ° C.Silicone sealant composition has a viscous-flow of the mixture based on low molecular weight rubbers.The other properties need to look at the packaging.

Sealant: a method of applying

Before you get to work, carefully review the necessary conditions for temperature and humidity.It is also important to make the room ventilated, and the seams and joints to prepare for the subsequent application of the sealant.Clean the surface, it is degreased with alcohol or acetone.In order for everything to be perfect straight, adjacent portions of paste masking tape, which is removed after.

Then insert the cartridge into the gun and start to fill.The excess is removed with a spatula dipped slightly.Very often, many are asking the question - how much silicone sealant dries?vulcanization time ( "bloating") of the composition is about 5-10 minutes.During this period and need the time to form a union or joint.However, complete solidification takes place on the 4.2 mm per day.By the way, no small importance is the information on how to use a gun because of it depends on the correctness of filling.