How long does silicone sealant dry: how to speed up the curing time

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Henkel is engaged in the manufacture of one-component sealants, which can be based on silicone or water-based acrylic dispersion.

Today you can buy the following types of the Moment brand: sanitary, acrylic, bitumen, restorer, frost-resistant, assembly, high-temperature. They can be used for their intended purpose for a bathroom or kitchen, as well as for heating systems. To do this, in the place of leakage, it must be wound like a thread. After the cutout is sealed, you need to wait for the drying time, after which the grout occurs.

A material with an acrylic component can withstand frost, it has a good adhesion rate, which allows it to be applied to any surface. The disadvantage of this sealant is that it cannot be used in places where constant moisture predominates. As a rule, such material has only white color.

Speaking of silicone sealants, they are made on the basis of polymers with rubber. Due to this component, the material acquires viscosity and elasticity, and can also harden at room temperature. In order for it to remain viscous, it is sealed in a special tube.

Depending on the scope of use, Moment sealants are divided into the following types:

• building;
• specialized;
• automobile.

Also sealants "Moment" are divided into types according to the characteristics of the composition.

1. Neutral. This type can be used not only for external work, but also for internal work. It has found its application in the construction of ships, as well as for sealing in refrigeration chambers. The color of this composition is white. And also such a sealant is practically odorless, and it cannot be used as an adhesive.
2. Universal. It is made with the addition of acetic acid, due to which it has a pungent and pungent odor, and when processing non-ferrous metal, concrete and marble, it causes surface corrosion. This type of sealant is marked A on the packaging, which indicates that this composition is not painted. This material is made in two colors. The first is white, and can also be transparent. It costs much less than neutral, but does not differ in quality.

Henkel's sealants are available in several other types.

• Premium composition, which is created using silicone, due to which it has moisture-repelling properties.
• High-temperature sealants, which are made on the basis of silicone, calmly tolerate the effects of gasoline and oil.
• Sanitary-type compounds also include silicone, but they are used for glazing shower stalls and similar appliances. They are transparent or white. Full hardening of this composition takes place within 20 minutes, that is, it dries very quickly.
• Aquarium frost-resistant and based on polypropylene. Often used to seal painted plastic joints and glassware exposed to vibration. The color of this composition is only transparent.

"Moment Montage" has gray sealants in its assortment. The material includes polyurethane. This sealant has a packaging volume of 300 ml. It has found its use as a joint compound and for grouting. We also note that this material is highly resistant to chemicals, alkali, water and various types of acids, but it does not tolerate direct exposure to sunlight, under which it loses its elastic properties and color.

Flextec is a versatile polymer-based compound. Quite often, this type of material is used as an adhesive to join damaged surfaces. The main feature of this material is the ability to solidify under the influence of moisture. It belongs to the neutral type, since it does not have a pungent unpleasant odor and contains alcohol. It is often used for sealing windows, seams in split systems and for laying tiles.

Scope of application

Silicone-based products are considered universal, therefore they are used to protect and seal completely different surfaces and structures. Most formulations are suitable for both outdoor and indoor use, although some are recommended for indoor use only. Silicone is particularly well suited for the bathroom to seal the joints between bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and walls, or to install plumbing fixtures.

Sealants have other areas of application:

• assembly of plastic and metal products;
• various works in mechanical engineering, machine tool construction;
• construction, major and cosmetic repairs;
• sealing cracks when installing windows, doors;
• gluing tiles, stone blocks;
• different assembly actions;
• hardening of mirrors;
• work with sewer pipes, water supply;
• installation of electrical wiring.

Types of sealants

The sealant is an adhesive based on polymers, hardeners and fillers, targeted additives and plasticizers, which, after drying, forms a tight elastic seam. Depending on the composition, sealants are divided into several types.

Silicone

Bathroom silicone sealant is the most requested option because of its many benefits. Products from this group are characterized by a high degree of adhesion to ceramics, tiles, natural enamel, glass, and other building materials. Sealants do not allow moisture to pass through, they are not afraid of ultraviolet radiation, they can easily withstand temperature drops in the range of -50 ... + 200 degrees, they serve for several years and practically do not shrink.

By the type of base, silicone sealants are divided into:

Acidic (acetic). They have a characteristic odor. They differ in low price, availability, wide assortment. Acidic compounds damage metal, some types of plastic, and are not suitable for stone, mirrors, surfaces covered with lime plaster. These sealants have an “A” mark on the packaging.
Neutral. In terms of cost, they are more expensive than acidic ones, but they do not enter into a chemical reaction with metals, alkalis, and other materials, therefore they can be used on any grounds without restriction. Some sealants from this group can withstand heating up to +500 degrees, therefore they are considered heat-resistant

To distinguish a neutral sealant from other types, you need to pay attention to the "N" marking on the packaging and the complete absence of an unpleasant odor.

Acrylic

Acrylic bathroom sealant usually costs less than silicone, but has a slightly lower degree of adhesion to ceramics, glass, metal, and other materials. The disadvantage is also less high elasticity, therefore, acrylic should not be used for deformable bases - it is better to give preference to silicone. If you ignore this rule, over time, the sealant layer will be covered with microcracks, through which water will seep.

The advantages of acrylic compounds are:

• resistance to UV radiation;
• no burnout;
• tolerance of temperatures within –25 ... + 80 degrees;
• the possibility of painting, varnishing, plastering;
• lack of smell.

Among acrylic sealants, there are moisture-resistant and non-moisture resistant, and the latter are not suitable for the bathroom, which must be clarified when buying.

Polyurethane

Despite the highest strength, excellent adhesion, resistance and durability, such sealants are used less often in the bathroom.They have a toxic composition, emit an unpleasant odor, and therefore require long-term and thorough ventilation of the room. With polyurethane compounds, you must work with a mask, gloves.

On top of the finished seam, if necessary, you can paint or varnish. If a polyurethane sealant is available, it can also be used to fix various decorative elements and mirrors.

Silicone-acrylic

They are products based on acrylic and silicone, combining the best properties of both components. They are not afraid of water, smooth out the thermal expansion of materials, have a long service life, do not react to the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Silicone-acrylic compounds are suitable for indoor and outdoor use and are widely used for sealing joints in the bathroom.

MS Polymer Sealants

They are an improved form of polyurethane sealants. They appeared recently in the course of experiments on polyurethane, into the structure of which a silanol (organosilicon) group was introduced. After contact with moisture in such compositions, the polymer is vulcanized, which additionally acquires the stabilizing properties of silicone.

Initially, due to the high cost of MS polymers, they were not used in large quantities and were only used for the repair of military equipment. Now they are used mainly in industry, although they are also suitable for domestic purposes.

The advantages of sealants are obvious:

• fast solidification, high strength of seams;
• the ability to apply at any temperature;
• lack of smell;
• environmental Safety;
• neutrality for any materials;
• the possibility of staining;
• service life - more than 10 years.

Drying time of silicone sealant

How long the material dries depends on its type and place of application:

How long does the sealant dry in the bathroom?

In wet rooms special types are used
sealing silicone. Each of them has its own drying time:

1. Universal neutral material in a layer of 2 cm in the bathroom will dry in 24 hours. The air temperature in the room should be at least +5 C and not more than +40 C.
2. The acidic composition dries faster in humid conditions. It is enough for him from 4 to 6 hours. But it is not recommended to use it for metal products, as metal corrosion can occur.
3. When sealing the gap between the wall and the bathroom, a wide, thick layer is obtained. Therefore, the seam will harden for 24 hours, and not less than two days. All its inner layers should dry well.

If a situation arose
, in which it is necessary to accelerate the drying process of the material, then this can be done in the following ways:

• create maximum ventilation by opening all windows and doors in the warm season;
• increase the air temperature in the room to +40 C;
• speed up the drying process by spraying the joints with water (silicone damp on top will dry out faster).

In the bathroom, the material is mainly used for sealing the gap between the bathroom and the wall, processing joints shower cabin parts
and similar works. The installation of silicone is quite simple. It is only necessary to observe the following rules:

1. Clean and dry the surfaces and edges of the tub or shower.
2. With masking tape as close as possible to the seam, paste over the places of the surfaces. In this case, the seam will turn out to be even, and the silicone will not stain the bathtub and walls.
3. The silicone compound is filled into a special gun. To match the diameter of the seam and the hole, the nose of the tube with the material is cut at a certain angle.
4. The tip of the gun is inserted into the joint and the compound is gently spread over the joint.
5. Until the sealant has set, the seam can be corrected if it does not turn out to be very even. To do this, you can use a soapy finger or a rubber spatula.
6. At the end of the installation, the molar tape is torn off.

Bath or shower it will be possible to use
after the silicone sealing material has completely cured.

To know how long it will take after installation
the silicone sealant will dry out, you should read the instructions when buying it. Manufacturers indicate the approximate drying time of the material on the packaging.

Types of heat-resistant sealants

Today, several types of heat-resistant sealants are made, each of which has its own field of application.

In a domestic environment, it is better to use one-component products, but sometimes two-component compositions are used, which are prepared strictly according to the instructions. Heat-resistant sealants are produced with different additives, depending on which materials can be refractory, heat-resistant or heat-resistant

Transparent polyurethane glue - sealants are used not only in the field of construction work, but also in the jewelry industry, since these agents firmly hold metal and non-metallic surfaces together, create neat, almost invisible joints. In a domestic environment, it is better to use one-component products, but sometimes two-component compositions are used, which are prepared strictly according to the instructions. Heat-resistant sealants are produced with different additives, depending on which materials can be refractory, heat-resistant or heat-resistant.

2. Silicone heat-resistant agents are used to seal materials heated to +350 degrees. This includes masonry, heating systems, chimneys, hot or cold water pipes, as well as sealed joints on ceramic coverings, the outer surface of fireplaces and stoves.

Heat-resistant silicone based sealants contain iron oxide, this substance makes the composition red and gives it a brown tint. When the product hardens, its color does not change. This feature is suitable when you need to seal joints or gaps in a red brick, the sealant will be almost invisible.

Heat-resistant compounds are also manufactured for automotive parts. Such a tool is usually produced in black, it is intended for the installation of various car gaskets and other technical work in cars. Such sealants are used for automotive components and gaskets; in addition to being resistant to heat, they have the following properties:

• do not spread after application;
• has resistance to oil, gasoline, and other petroleum products;
• resistant to high humidity;
• not damaged by constant vibration;
• have a long service life.

Silicone heat-resistant agents are made in two varieties:

• neutral;
• acidic.

Neutral ones are produced using alcohol; during hardening, they release only water and a liquid containing alcohol. They can be applied to any kind of surface, without exception. And acidic sealing materials release acetic acid during hardening, which can lead to corrosion and rusting of the metal. Therefore, acid sealants cannot be applied to different types of metals, and they are also not used to seal cement and concrete surfaces, because the acid substance, reacting with cement, forms salt, as a result of which the sealed joint will gradually collapse.

How long does the sealant dry

In order for the result of the repair work to be excellent, you can not start using the surfaces until the sealant has completely dried. The exact polymerization time of the composition depends on many factors. The curing process takes place in stages:

• in 15-25 minutes, the uppermost layer is set, a thin film is formed, while the sealant stops sticking to the skin when touched;
• the deeper layers of the agent freeze at a rate of about 2-3 mm per day.

Thus, the time of complete polymerization strongly depends on the layer thickness: the larger it is, the longer the period before the start of operation should be.Knowing the thickness of the seam made, you can roughly calculate the drying time. During the drying period, the surface must be protected from dust, temperature extremes, and mechanical stress.

Acidic and neutral compositions

Acidic compositions set faster under the influence of water and steam. When sealing a small product, you can put it in a bag, place a piece of damp cloth there, place it on a battery or in another warm place. In this case, the acid sealant will vulcanize in a couple of hours. In standard situations, it takes 4-9 hours for the acid composition to dry.

Neutral sealants take longer to dry. If the room temperature is positive, and the surface has been previously cleaned of dirt, dust, grease, then drying will last about a day. When the air temperature rises above +40 degrees, the structure of the seam may be disturbed, since the evaporation of alcohol from the neutral sealant under such conditions occurs too quickly.

Drying depending on the application

In order for the sealant to dry faster, you need to choose a composition according to the manufacturer's recommendations - it must correspond to the operating conditions. All funds can be classified into the following groups:

• for rooms with high humidity;
• for outdoor work;
• for interior work.

Different sealants contain different additives, plasticizers and modifiers that can change the drying rate. In hard-to-reach areas where there is no free air movement, the seams take longer to dry. Most sealants can be used at + 5 ... + 40 degrees, and the drying time at + 30 ... + 40 degrees will be much shorter than at +20. In winter, it is better not to work on the street with sealants - most products are not able to form a high-quality seam in such conditions.

Features of drying sanitary sealant

In the bathroom, it makes sense to use only a sanitary sealant - a composition into which fungicidal additives are introduced to prevent the appearance of mold. When sealing the joint between the wall and the tub, the seal joint is usually thick, wide, so it will take a long time to dry. Despite the manufacturer's instructions that the composition dries for about a day, it is better to wait at least 48 hours - only during this period the product will undergo complete polymerization.

Characteristics and drying rate of Moment brand sealant

A transparent sealant of the Moment brand is made on the basis of silicone and is used for repairing windows, plastic and glass doors, and for tiling the bathroom and kitchen. This product is very resistant to temperature changes, moisture, atmospheric factors, and hardens under the influence of air.

The main technical characteristics of the composition are as follows:

• specific gravity - 0.99 g / ml;
• extrusion speed - 320 g / min;
• drying time to the third degree (to touch) - 15 minutes at +23 degrees, humidity 50%;
• recommended operating temperature –40… + 150 degrees;
• the approximate polymerization speed for a layer of 2 mm is 24 hours.

To understand whether the "Moment" is dry or not, you can use the feature of this product to emit a slight specific odor, which disappears after polymerization. If there are no extraneous "aromas" in the seam area, then it is most likely dried out well.

Drying speed of silicone neutral sealant "Moment Herment"

This product is a one-component neutral sealant based on a silicone polymer. It can be used for external and internal work, it is suitable for gluing products and sealing any joints, cracks. The manufacturer notes that a 3 mm layer dries for about a day, if the temperature is close to +23 degrees, humidity - to 50%. In this case, the surface film appears in 10–20 minutes, and the top layer of the sealant stops sticking.In order not to damage the seam, do not subject it to any mechanical stress until complete polymerization.

The agony of choice: which type of sealant is best for the bathroom?

The breadth of the assortment makes your head spin when you look at the shelves of a hardware store. In fact, the task is not that difficult, especially with a competent approach. First of all, you need to choose the appropriate type of sealant from those that are most often used in the repair of bathrooms.

Types of sealants for bathrooms

Silicone. It has a high degree of adhesion to most materials, which makes it the most popular sealant, but negatively affects the cost. Resistant to ultraviolet radiation, moisture, high and low temperatures, due to which it has a long service life. Slight shrinkage, which does not exceed 2%, makes it the best choice for sealing moving joints. Due to its high elasticity, the finished seam is easily deformed and is not able to hold the paint.

Acrylic. It is practically not inferior to silicone in terms of adhesion, immunity to ultraviolet light, temperature fluctuations and high humidity. At the same time, it has a more affordable cost if you compare the prices of one company. Its use is limited by the low elasticity of the seam, which is not suitable for surfaces that may be subject to deformation. Acrylic sealants can be painted, varnished or plastered.

Polyurethane. It is most often used to replace an old sealant layer, since it is not so critical to surface preparation, and fits well on difficult-to-clean silicone residues. As with acrylics, the finished seam can be opened with varnish or paint.

Silicone acrylic. It occupies an intermediate position between the two types, differing in good indicators of elasticity and strength. Another area of ​​application of this group of sealants is the bonding of surfaces.

Choosing the best

If you have to seal the joints in the bathroom with a sealant, the best choice is a silicone sealant, which, in turn, is divided into two types:

Acid. They perfectly cope with their tasks, but the acetic acid included in the composition has a detrimental effect on metal, stone, marble, mirror and lime plaster surfaces. Because of their affordable cost, it is acidic silicones that are commonly used by employees. If your bathroom requires sealing the seams of acid-unstable materials, check this moment. You can find out if an acidic sealant is being used by the characteristic vinegar smell or the “A” mark on the package.

Neutral. Due to the fact that the components of these compositions do not enter into chemical reactions with alkalis and metals, they are used for any surfaces. Such versatility negatively affects the cost of sealants, but for the sake of the safety of finishing materials or plumbing, it makes sense to pay more. An indication that a neutral sealant has been used is the absence of a strong odor and the “N” marking on the tube.

Prevent mold

The heat and humidity in the bathroom are favorable conditions for the development of fungi. To keep black mold-resistant mold from spreading around the bathroom, choose a sealant marked "sanitary". It contains antifungal agents that will prevent mold spores from developing.

For plumbing fixtures made of acrylic, it is better to choose the sealant of the same name. Due to the similarity of the compositions, the connection will be stronger and more durable

Additional properties

All sealing mixtures on the market contain various additives that give them certain qualities:

Extenders - provide a significant expansion of the material, indispensable for filling wide joints, for example, around sewer pipes.

Fillers (quartz dust or chalk) - improve adhesion and reduce the cost of production.

Fungicides and antibacterial components - prevent the development of pathogenic microflora.

Organic solvents, mineral oils - serve as a tribute to environmental friendliness and safety of vapors for humans.

Pigments - Provides an extensive color palette that makes it easy to match a sealant to colored plumbing fixtures or tiles.

Features of sanitary sealants

Sanitary silicone sealant is a homogeneous paste-like composition made on the basis of silicone with the addition of polymers and additional substances. Such compositions are intended for filling and sealing joints, cracks, cracks, pits, chips, so as not to allow them to fill with dust, dirt, and also to protect the material from the penetration of air and water.

Among all the variety of sealants, it is silicone that are the most popular in everyday life. Compositions based on silicone rubber are considered universal and are most often used in the toilet, bathroom, kitchen, because building materials there are exposed to various damaging factors:

• high humidity;
• temperature differences;
• mechanical stress.

In addition, sealants help maintain the proper sanitary and hygienic condition in these rooms, which is why they got their name. Such products do not rot, are not afraid of water, mold. The main difference between a sanitary sealant and a simple one is fungicidal additives - substances that destroy fungal and other organic plaque.