Features of Universal Silicone Sealant

Safety rules

When working with silicone sealant, be sure to adhere to the following recommendations:

• it should be stored under medium temperature conditions;
• keep away from children;
• the shelf life is indicated on the package;
• contact of silicone in the eyes and on the skin is not recommended, the place of contact should be immediately rinsed with cold water;
• if an acid-based sealant is applied that emits acetic acid vapors during operation, then individual PPE (respirator, gloves) should be used, and the room should be thoroughly ventilated to avoid irritation of the mucous membrane.

Advantages and disadvantages

Experts have compiled a number of advantages and disadvantages of universal silicone formulations, taking into account product characteristics and reviews.

Pros:

• convenient and practical use;
• resistance to UV radiation and negative external influences;
• excellent adhesion to various materials;
• resistance to chemical elements;
• tolerance of sudden temperature changes;
• reliable protection of joints from microbes, bacteria, mold and mildew;
• affordable price;
• wide range of applications.

Minuses:

• the need for thorough surface preparation before using the sealant;
• some formulations are incompatible with conventional dyes.

Silicone Sealant Buyers Tips

Of course, it is better to give preference to reputable and proven brands of manufacturers, such as Hauser, Krass, Profil, or Penosil. The most common packaging options are 260 ml, 280 ml, 300 ml tubes.

When choosing between "universal" or "special" compounds, give preference to the second option if you have an idea of ​​the surface material where this substance will be used.

Please note that specialized sealants are not as flexible as neutral ones.

How to work with sealant without using a special gun is described in the video.

Range

A wide range of products, both domestic and foreign, is available to the Russian consumer. Let's take a closer look at the most popular and demanded formulations.

"Repair 100%"

This is a universal white compound belonging to the segment - acidic compounds. Silicone waterproof sealant can be used for both indoor and outdoor use.

Specifications:

• country of origin - Russia;
• 260 ml cartridge;
• scope of use - repair and construction work.

Hauser UNI

Hauser UNI Universal Sealant is ideal for home repairs. Experts assure that the composition is ideal for construction work. Main area of ​​application: protection of polyurethane foam from direct sunlight, as well as sealing joints at window frames and doorways.

Performance characteristics:

• White color;
• temperature resistance - from -40 degrees to 100 degrees Celsius;
• hardness index –14 (Shore);
• the film forms in 15-25 minutes at 50% humidity and a temperature of 23 degrees;
• a layer of 2 mm hardens in about 24 hours.

Penosil General ("Penosil" 310 ml)

A multifunctional and practical silicone compound used for repair and general construction work. The product has excellent adhesion and stability characteristics.

Specifications:

• production - Ukraine;
• White color;
• packing (tube) 310 ml;
• operation at temperatures from -60 degrees to 180 degrees above zero Celsius;
• it can be used on any type of substrate, regardless of the material.

Krass 300 ml

The clear, colorless product is ready to use immediately after purchase.After hardening, the material forms an even and smooth coating with the possibility of subsequent coloring. The sealant is recommended for glazing applications. Like all of the above formulations, the product is suitable for outdoor and indoor use. The material reliably adheres to surfaces with different textures.

Specifications:

• the period of complete hardening is a day;
• optimal conditions of use - humidity 80%;
• shelf life 1 year;
• an excellent indicator of adhesion to such materials: enamel, metal, ceramics, painted bases, plastic, glass;
• the minimum temperature indicator for use is 5 degrees Celsius.

Profil 280 ml

The white one-component Profil Universal Silicone is designed for multi-purpose use. The acid-type sealant will delight you with excellent adhesion to such surfaces: wood, metal, brick, concrete, glass, ceramics and glazed substrates.

Specifications:

• manufacturing company Soudal;
• purpose - finishing and household work;
• feature - fire-resistant composition;
• cartridge format;
• the product is designed for indoor and outdoor use.

See the next video about the types of sealants below.

Views

Sealants are divided into one-component and two-component.

One-component are classified by type:

• alkaline - based on amines;
• acidic - based on acetic acid (for this reason, it is not recommended to use them in combination with cements and a number of metals due to the corrosiveness of such sealants);
• neutral - based on ketoxime, or alcohol.

The composition of such sealants, as a rule, includes various additives:

• dyes;
• mechanical fillers to increase the adhesive properties;
• extenders for lowering the degree of viscosity;
• fungicides with antibacterial properties.

Two-component sealants (also called silicone compounds) are less popular and more varied. They are mixtures used only for the needs of industry. Nevertheless, if desired, they can be purchased in regular retail chains. They are characterized by the fact that their layer can be of unlimited thickness, and they are cured only by a catalyst.

Sealants can also be divided according to the area of ​​their highly specialized application.

• Automotive. Used for car repairs as a temporary replacement for rubber gaskets. Chemically resistant to engine oils, antifreezes, but not gasolines. They have a low degree of fluidity, short-term refractory (up to 100 310 0С).
• Bituminous. Mostly black. They are used in repairs and assemblies of various parts of buildings and structures. Also used when laying drainage systems.
• Aquariums. Used in aquariums. Usually colorless, highly adhesive. They connect and seal the joints of the surfaces of aquariums and terrariums.
• Sanitary. One of the components is a biocide - an antifungal agent. They are used in plumbing. Usually these are white or transparent sealants.

Composition

Various components are used in the production of silicone compounds. Each element serves a specific purpose.

Universal sealants are complex mixtures.

• The main component of the product is silicone rubber.
• Excellent viscosity and strength is achieved through the use of an amplifier. The element "turns on" after the layer has dried.
• The adhesion primer is responsible for the reliable and durable adhesion of the composition to the base.
• Elasticity and practicality are provided by a silicone plasticizer.
• The vulcanizer is responsible for the solidification process of the product. Thanks to him, the pasty product becomes a rubber substance.

Additional elements are also used, such as mechanical fillers, colorants and fungicides.

Varieties

Products presented by foreign and domestic manufacturers are divided into two types: one-component and two-component sealants. The first variety has a wider range of uses.

Consider the types of one-component compositions.

• Alkaline material is a separate product segment. The main feature is that manufacturers use amines as a base element.
• Acid. The sealant contains acetic acid. This component has a pungent odor that is strongly felt during use. The product has an affordable cost, but it is incompatible with some metals.
• Neutral. Alcohol or ketoxime is used to make the material. The composition does not conflict with various types of surfaces.

Peculiarities

Silicone sealant is a dense, viscous antibacterial and elastic hydrophobic mass. Sealants are environmentally friendly mixtures that are safe for human and domestic animal health.

Here are some of the main characteristics:

• temperature mode of use from -40 to + 120 ° С (for heat-resistant species up to + 300 ° С);
• can be used outdoors - resistant to UV rays;
• high degree of hydrophobicity;
• highly adhesive to basic types of surfaces;
• ambient temperature during application from +5 to + 40 ° С;
• retains its state of aggregation at a temperature difference from -40 ° С to + 120 ° С;
• can be used at temperatures from -30 ° C to + 85 ° C;
• storage temperature: from + 5 ° С to + 30 ° С.

Composition of silicone sealant:

• silicone rubber is used as a base;
• the amplifier provides the level of viscosity (thixotropy);
• a plasticizer is used to give elasticity;
• the vulcanizer is responsible for changing the initial properties of the pasty form into a more plastic, rubbery one;

• the dye is used for aesthetic purposes;
• fungicides - antibacterial substances - prevent the development of mold (this property plays an important role in rooms with high humidity);
• Various quartz-based additives are used to increase adhesion.

Table of approximate volume calculations.

Here are some of the negative aspects of using sealants:

• it is ineffective to process wet surfaces;
• if the color is not added initially, some types of sealants cannot be painted;
• poor adhesion to polyethylene, polycarbonate, fluoroplastic.

There are several areas where silicone sealants are used:

• when insulating drainpipes, when repairing roofs, siding;
• when closing the joints of plasterboard structures;
• when glazing;
• when sealing openings of windows and doors;
• when plumbing works in bathrooms and other rooms with high humidity.

Sealing seams: step by step instructions

When sealing joints, we recommend the following sequence of actions:

• we clean the area of ​​work from all contaminants and dry it (metal surfaces are additionally degreased);
• insert a tube with sealant into the silicone gun;
• we open the package and screw on the dispenser, the cross-section of which is determined by cutting off the tip, depending on the required width and volume of the seam;
• when it comes to processing decorative parts, we protect them with masking tape from accidental ingress of sealant;

• apply the sealant slowly in an even layer;
• after the end of the seams, remove the masking tape;
• immediately after the end of the application, remove the unnecessary sealant with a damp material until it has hardened.

Curing of the sealant depends on various conditions: type, layer thickness, humidity, ambient temperature. The seam surface hardens in about 20-30 minutes, which does not mean that the seam is fully ready for use. As a rule, the time for complete solidification is 24 hours.