Silicone sealant is used by many industrial sectors from building and engineering, to tradesmen such as plumbers and window-fitters. If you take a quick look through TYM’s website, you’ll find a range of silicone sealants available for general use, as well as sealant developed for use in high temperatures. Let’s take a closer look at the sealant and how it is used.
Sealant characteristics
This type of sealant is characterised by its resistance to water, ozone, oxygen and UV light. It features low thermal conductivity and stability, as well as low chemical reactivity and low toxicity. It also provides electrical insulation and high gas permeability.
Silicone sealant is a highly versatile substance thanks to the above characteristics. Upon application it cures to a tough, resilient silicone rubber at room temperature. The sealant cures by absorbing moisture from the atmosphere. The sealant is sold in a number of colours and variations. They come in lid-topped tubes or one-use containers with a nozzle that allows you to apply the sealant quickly and accurately.
How is it used?
Silicone sealant has a variety of industrial uses thanks to its water resistance, electrical insulation and chemical inertness. For example, it is used extensively by window fitters to create perimeter seals between aluminium window frames and materials such as brick and masonry. Plumbers apply it to O-rings in brass valves and taps, which helps prevent lime from sticking to metal.
In the building industry, silicone sealant is used to seal crevices and gaps in buildings. The nature of the sealant means that they can be applied vertically or overhead. The sealant is also used to create weather seals between glass and aluminium, as well as back-glazing between timber and glass. Air seals in concrete panels are also made with silicone sealant.
For more information on sealants, read our two technical posts on When to use Gasket Sealant and How to apply Gasket Sealant. You can also review the sealant products that we have for sale.