How to Choose a Good Silicone Sealant
Silicone sealants and caulks are incredibly versatile products for a variety of different jobs. They’re often suited for home repairs, construction work, glass or plastic bonding for craft projects or even in industrial applications.
They’re able to withstand high temperatures and have impressive ageing resistances. But what makes a good silicone sealant?
1. Good Adhesion
When choosing a silicone adhesive for plastic, consider the type of bond you require. Some adhesives are more temporary, while others create a strong, durable bond that can hold up to a range of temperatures and conditions.
Other considerations include the ability to adhere to different surfaces, as well as other materials like metal and wood. Look for an adhesive with a high shear and tensile strength to ensure that it can withstand stress and pressure.
Silicone sealants typically have a liquid gel-like consistency, and they will cure to a harder, rubber-like texture when exposed to suitable temperature and humidity conditions for an extended period of time. These adhesives are usually low odor and won’t support mildew growth. This makes them an ideal choice for areas that are often damp, such as your kitchen and bathroom.
2. Good Moisture Resistance
The best silicone sealants resist moisture and humidity, making them a great choice for repairs around your home. This includes areas that get frequent use, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. The seals are also mold-and mildew-resistant, keeping the area clean and safe to touch.
Silicones are able to stretch and bend a little, which is helpful for some applications. They’re not designed to be load-bearing seals, however, so they’re not suitable for use on heavier structures.
The type of silicone you need will depend on your project. You’ll find a variety of products on the market, from acetoxy to neutral. The latter doesn’t emit strong odor during application and cures more quickly than acetoxy. It’s also safer to use on different surfaces, including glass.
3. Good Durability
When applied correctly, silicone sealant can last 20 years or more. It is highly durable and resists extreme temperatures, moisture, and weathering. It also has good electrical resistance, so you can use it as a bonding agent for electronics and appliances.
Many silicone sealants come in a liquid gel-like consistency when they’re first applied, but this changes to a good silicone sealant solid rubber-like texture as it cures under suitable temperature and humidity conditions over a period of time. They can be purchased in small, standalone squeeze tubes for application by hand or in rigid cartridges for insertion into a sealant gun.
Silicone sealants are very versatile adhesives and can be used for a wide variety of fixes around the home, including window frames, skirting boards, and bathroom fixtures. They can also be used to repair aquariums and terrariums.
4. Good Adhesive Strength
Silicone sealants can be used on a variety of materials and surfaces, including glass, metal, ceramic, glazed tiles and plastics. They are also easy to use as they don’t require any specialist application tools or complicated techniques.
Some types of silicone are formulated to work well with specific surfaces and materials, so it is important to choose the right one for your project. For example, acid-cure silicones may be too corrosive for some metals and can promote mildew growth, while neutral-cure varieties are safe to use on all surfaces and materials and will protect against mould.
Silicone adhesives and sealants can be used for a wide variety of projects, from home repairs and construction to crafting and pet projects (such as terrariums). They offer flexibility and resistance against moisture, extreme temperatures, UV rays, bacteria, mould and corrosion.
5. Good Flexibility
Silicone sealants typically have a gel-like consistency when first applied and can create tough, rubber-like bonds after curing under appropriate temperature and humidity conditions. This makes them perfect for creating a flexible seal that’s resilient to vibrations and other environmental factors that could otherwise loosen or damage the adhesive bond.
Depending on your specific project needs, consider choosing a multi-purpose neutral cure silicone sealant that’s ideal for working with glass, glazed tiles and most metals or a sanitary silicone sealant that’s designed specifically for use in bathrooms and kitchens, as it’s resistant to mold and mildew.
If you’re looking for a powerful caulk that can tackle a variety of projects and repairs around the home, try this Loctite all-purpose acrylic caulk with silicone that provides watertight seals for aluminium, brick, ceramic, fabric, glass, leather, most plastics and wood. It’s also suitable for aquariums, terrariums and fish tanks.
6. Good Colorability
Silicone sealants provide a high degree of colorability and a good appearance. These products are often available in black, grey and white, as well as a variety of other colors. They come in either a squeeze tube with applicator for hand application, or a cartridge that can be used with a caulking gun.
A good quality silicone sealant will be touch dry in a few hours. It will also cure in around 24 hours, good silicone sealant providing a long lasting durable bond.
There are a variety of different specialized silicone sealants that offer good resistance to different environmental conditions and substrates. These are often more expensive, but can save time and effort in the long run. They are also resistant to weathering, UV radiation, vibrations and moisture.
7. Good Appearance
When dry, silicone sealants have a rubber-like consistency that is tough yet elastic. This makes them ideal for creating hardwearing, long-lasting bonds that can absorb shock and vibration. Dried silicones also resist harsh weathering, including extreme temperatures and moisture.
Individuals who need to work on objects that get very hot should consider using a high temperature silicone sealant. These are designed to withstand very high temperatures, and they are also resistant to aging, water, and vibration. They are often used in auto repair, such as for bonding parts of the engine and water pump.
Silicone sealants are very easy to use and can be bought in many different colours. They are available in a squeezable tube for manual application by hand, or in rigid cartridges that can be used with a sealant gun.