Updated: September 24, 2024
If you have worked in an industrial setting or do a lot of do-it-yourself repairs at home, you may be familiar with the different types of silicone adhesive sealants. Silicone sealants are strong as well as versatile in how and to what they can be applied. But, there are different kinds of silicone sealants which each being suited to certain applications.
What Is Silicone Sealant?
Silicone sealant is a liquid form of adhesive, but it looks, feels, and acts like a gel. It has a different chemical makeup from other organic polymer-based adhesives. Unlike other adhesives, silicone glue keeps its elasticity and stability in both high and low temperatures. Furthermore, silicone sealant is resistant to other chemicals, moisture, and weathering. This makes it less likely to fail when building and repairing objects.
Unlike some adhesives, silicone sealants must cure. Curing silicone basically means letting it dry. Curing silicone isn’t necessarily difficult, but it does require patience. The temperature needs to be between 40°F and 100°F, and there needs to be between 5% and 95% humidity for silicone to cure. It can take as little as 24 hours to cure, or it can take up to several days if the sealant is especially thick.
What is Silicone Sealant Used for?
Silicone glues create strong adhesive bonds and are resistant to chemicals, moisture, and weathering. There are also several types of silicone sealants, so there are many uses for these products.
One of the most common uses for silicone adhesives is for basic repairs around the house. For example, silicone sealants can be used for caulking cracks. Sometimes individuals may also use it to try and level surfaces in their home.
Even though silicone isn’t a good substance to use for weight-bearing seals, there is still a need for its powerful adhesive properties in many construction jobs. Silicone glues are commonly used to bind surfaces such as plastic, metal, and glass together. For example, aquariums are often sealed with silicone. Windows are also often sealed to frames with silicone adhesive since it is weather resistant.
Since silicone can keep its adhesive properties when temperatures are high, it is also commonly used in automobiles, electronic devices, and appliances. Often silicone adhesives will be used as a bonding agent for parts in car engines, such as a car gasket. In appliances and electronic devices, silicone is used to seal cables and sensors into place.
Types of Silicone Sealants
If you’ve never used a silicone sealant, you might feel overwhelmed with choices. While all silicone sealants have the same basic adhesive properties, some silicone sealant types have special properties or are designed for specific applications. Some people will also classify silicone sealants in different ways.
Knowing what you will be using the product for will make it easier to determine what type of silicone sealant you need, whether it is a specialized product or not.
Neutral Cure
A common type of silicone sealant, a neutral cure silicone will release alcohol as it cures and work with a great number of materials. While this type of silicone sealant takes longer to cure than some others, they are a good choice for sensitive materials like wood or metal substrates. They are almost completely odor free.
Acid Cure (Acetoxy)
Acid cure or acetoxy silicones release a vinegar-smelling acetic acid as they cure, but they tend to cure much faster than their neutral cure counterparts. Acid-cure silicones have strong adhesion properties and work best on non-porous surfaces. A downfall to these silicones is that they can be damaging to certain materials. Depending on the substrate, they may cause discoloration or corrosion.
Multi-Purpose
If you’re looking for an adhesive that can do it all, then you should choose an all-purpose silicone sealant. A multi-purpose sealant should still be resistant to weathering, extreme temperatures, moisture, and vibrations. Furthermore, it can be used on several surfaces such as aluminum, ceramic, glass, metal, wood, plastic, and granite.
High Temperature
One specialized type of silicone adhesive sealant is heat-resistant silicone. Individuals who are working with objects that get extremely hot should consider purchasing this type of silicone. They can withstand temperatures as high as 600°F. They are also resistant to aging, vibration, and shock.
The applications for high-temperature silicone sealants are numerous. They are perfect for binding objects such as valve covers, thermostat housings, and fuel pumps in automobiles. They can also be used for some industrial purposes such as sealing various gaskets, cable insulation, and ductwork.
Electric Grade Self-Leveling
Electrical grade self-leveling silicone is another specialized kind of silicone sealant. It does not contain acetic acid or any other corrosive chemicals. Furthermore, it is highly resistant to weather, moisture, and extreme temperatures. As a result, it is an excellent adhesive to use on materials that are constantly exposed to the elements.
What Type of Sealant Do You Need?
Because there are so many different types of silicone sealants, these products have many purposes. If you want to learn more about a certain product or need help getting started, we have adhesive experts ready to assist you. Just contact us today.
