Have you ever found yourself trying to buy a plastic silicone wash basin and found yourself overwhelmed by all the different options? Well, you're not alone, this article explains the different types of silicone sealant and what that means for you. By the end of the article, you should be able to select the right sealant for your application this is a tough sealant designed to accommodate large amounts of movement, and it is also better able to withstand exposure to the weather and UV radiation than other types of sealant.
It adheres well to most building materials. It is designed for sealing around window and door frames. Often available in a variety of colours designed to match, wood, and other common framing materials.Silicone sealant is quite a broad term that is used a lot especially when it comes to DIY jobs, the first thought for most people is to go to their local DIY store and grab the cheapest one in the right colour.The meaning of high and low modulus can be explained simply: a low modulus will need a lower force to stretch it once cured and will have better elasticity and movement, a high modulus is more rigid once cured.
In deciding which modulus is best for a given application, then desired movement characteristics are the main thing to take into consideration.For example, if you are sealing around a bath, you would use a high modulus silicone. The reason for this is that as you fill the bath with water it will lower slightly due to the weight, this will pull on the sealant. If you use a low modulus silicone then the silicone may tear as the bath moves and the bath will leak. A high modulus sealant will stretch as the bath moves and flex-back as the weight in the bath is lifted. If your application has a large amount of movement then a low modulus sealant may be better.Low modulus sealants are stretchy but not the most hardwearing, they are the best option for sealing glass wall assemblies, perimeter seals, on curtain walling, perimeter sealing of polyester powder coated frames, and glazing of windows in swimming pool buildings.
These sealants offer better adhesion and accommodate more movement. These sealants are generally very long-lasting.High modulus sealants are less stretchy but more hardwearing, they are recommended for use in sealing Baths, showers, sinks, washbasins, kitchen worktops, and many other sanitary and internal applications. They can also be used on Shopfronts, showcases, and glass to glass joints.On the downside, it generally has poor adhesion and leaves much to be desired in how well it 'sticks' to PVC-U, most other plastics, and glass, aluminium, and Polycarbonate.
