Caulks and Silicones – Reviewing Four Types and Their Benefits
We all know, generally speaking, the purpose of caulks and silicone adhesives – to seal, cover, adhere, and waterproof. But perhaps not all of us know about the different categories of silicone products, many having to do with their chemical makeup or their ability to combat certain hazards in the commercial and residential construction worlds. We’ll cover four types in today’s blog and detail their features, benefits, and functions.
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The first type of caulk that we offer at Chemical Concepts is of the siliconized acrylic latex variety, like for instance our PB-3 (Paintable) caulk. This type sounds extremely specialized but is actually considered a general purpose construction sealant. This type is used most efficiently for painting applications because it effectively fills gaps and crannies between trim, ceilings, walls, etc. It’s used too to seal around windows, doors, and electrical switch plates, doing a great deal to prevent heat loss. Siliconized acrylic latex can be utilized to stave off water penetration, however, because it tends to shrink and distort with time, you’ll want to choose another one of our caulk types for projects that call for reliable waterproofing.
Acetoxy Cure Silicone, like the Bondaflex #100 pictured below, are set apart for their elasticity and ability to thrive in environments that are characterized by either extreme high or low temperatures. These silicones also have high UV resistance, excellent weather-ability, and resistance to mildew. Boasting these characteristics, Acetoxy Cure silicones are often trusted to seal windows, skylights, countertops, kitchen and bath crevices, HVAC applications, roofing joints, and more.
Neutral cure silicones are similar to Acetoxy silicones yet have added properties that serve as a bonus. These types are non-corrosive, low odor, and have an increased capacity for permanent flexibility. This class of silicones can offer a wider range of adhesion to materials like plastic and masonry applications, without the need for primer. Among this group too are products with a special affinity for multi-surface adhesion, self-leveling, high temperature, fast cure, and all-weather sealing. The ChemSet RTV7500, for example, is a multi-surface, all-weather choice for industrial/construction applications.
Hybrid caulks, like the MS-35 from Chem-Set are Silane-Crosslinking organic polymers that combine the favorable features of both silicone and polyurethane while doing away with their individual shortcomings. In effect, these hybrids have the strength and paint-ability common among polyurethanes with the weather resistance and toughness of silicone. In essence, this type takes the best characteristics of both worlds. The MS-35, pictured below, shows off these features as it can be effectively bonded to PVC, concrete, glass, aluminum, wood, marble, metal, and even more! Further, it’s VOC compliant, UV stable, non-yellowing, and contains no solvents or Isocyanates.
If you have any questions or would like to contact us about what we offer in the realm of silicones and caulks, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
[email protected] – 800.220.1966
