Sanitary silicone sealant: features and scope of application

During repair and construction work it is impossible to do without sealant. Our article is devoted to sanitary silicone product, its types, scope of application and subtleties of choice.

Sanitary sealant based on silicone polymer.

Its main components are:

• pigments;
• silicone rubber;
• filler;
• vulcanizing agent, making it similar to the rubber mass;
• various plasticizers, giving elasticity;
• antifungal fungicidal agents;
• catalysts and strength enhancers.

Sealant is necessary to ensure the waterproof surface, which is provided by filling its joints, crevices and seams. The silicone sanitary version differs from acrylic, bitumen and polyurethane in that the biocidal components added to it protect the surface from mold and mildew.Sanitary sealant is environmentally safe, aesthetic and versatile, so its use is widespread.

The main properties of the universal sanitary means are water, thermal, frost resistance, resistance to ultraviolet radiation, pathogens, aggressive cleaning agents, elasticity and durability. Sanitary sealant contains silicone compounds that increase the sealing of joints. Silicone promotes strength and at the same time good elasticity. Sanitary silicone insulation has excellent adhesion to the surface.

Such a sealant is able to withstand any fluctuation of heat and cold, an unexpected drop in air temperature. It does not absorb moisture and is recommended for use in places where humidity is elevated: in baths, laundries, pools, bathrooms and shower rooms.

Silicone sealants are of two types. One-component are the most common, packaged in tubes, ready-to-use compounds (hardening occurs when exposed to air or water).Two-component require careful mixing of the two elements (solidification occurs under the influence of the components on each other).

If you take into account the chemical composition, one-component sealants can be acidic and neutral. The first option differs from the second in that it smells of vinegar. It is made on an acid basis. It is actively used for grouting joints and crevices in rooms with high humidity where swimming pools, showers and bathrooms are equipped.

To indicate the acid sanitary sealant on the package is usually affixed a label "A". When working with him you need to protect the respiratory tract and wear gloves on his hands. Such a sealant can be combined only with materials that are not prone to corrosive acid. In combination with some organic elastomers, the composition may change color.

Neutral sanitary silicone sealant has a faint odor.This versatile expensive tool is suitable for gluing a variety of materials. The substance is used in work with any amenable to effective adhesion stone, even marble and granite. The range of application of neutral sealant is more extensive than that of its acid counterpart.

Due to the fact that sanitary silicone sealant is durable, waterproof, flexible and easy to use, it is very popular among consumers. It is used as a restorer to eliminate small cracks, seal seams, create elastic layers. Repair, construction, as well as work in the premises, which are subject to increased hygiene requirements, do not do without a convenient adhesive mastic.

Sealing joints between pipes, sealing the heating system, any refrigeration equipmentKitchen appliances are also made using this convenient substance.Sanitary sealant was widely used as an insulating material for filling gaps and voids in a bathroom, a drain hole in a bathtub, when installing sanitary ware and sealing a toilet bowl.

It is also useful for attaching a facing material, tile, when installing underfloor heating. It is better to isolate the doorframes by this means. It is also the most reliable for sealing windows. Coupling with gypsum allows you to effectively use the composition in work with any elements of room decor.

Sealant is used in work both indoors and outdoors. With it, more large-scale works are carried out: the joints of the panels are closed, the facades are sealed, the roofs are sealed. Sanitary sealant successfully fill the gaps of glass and mirror surfaces. Aquariums, florariums, terrariums, stained glass windows, glass shelves, display cases are not complete without sealing sanitary composition with silicone. They are also attached to the vases and stained glass windows all kinds of decorative links, unusual elements.

Sealants that have silicone in their composition do not recommend painting after they harden, because the paint will peel off. For this reason, color tools are available: brown, gray, black. Neutral colors are in great demand: white, colorless (transparent).

For the treatment of cracks in the bathrooms, grouting gaps in the bathroom and in the kitchen use the white color of the sanitary composition. When building pools, preference is also given to white color. Using a transparent means is reasonable, since it is almost impossible to see the substance. They are compacted gaps flood floors, wooden structures and glass faces. Gluing tiles on concrete also occurs with a transparent sealant.

Transparent color is useful when grouting terrarium joints, aquariums, as well as any smooth surfaces. It is recognized to be completely harmless to the inhabitants of the aquarium. In addition, fresh and salt water does not affect the silicone sealant.

The leading position in the ranking of manufacturers of sanitary sealants is a German corporation Henkel. Very good feedback from consumers is received by its Ceresit and Moment Germent trademarks.

The remaining famous brands are distributed almost equally by popularity.

• The trademark "Ceresite" company "Henkel Bautechnik"Henkel Corporation is very much appreciated by consumers. Sealant Ceresit cs 15 perfectly adheres to porcelain, ceramic, glass, enamelled edges. Any surfaces, porous and smooth, are subject to it. It has high elasticity, water resistance, heat resistance, does not fade, the sun's rays do not affect it.

• "Moment Germent" adheres well not only to plastic (polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylate, epoxy), but also to glass, ceramic, metal, wooden surfaces. It has good weather resistance. "Moment Germent" is indispensable for sealing in the process of installing mirrors.It serves to seal any seams, is widely used in shipbuilding.

• Polish company "Selena" produces a quality sealant with a fungicide under the brand Tytan Professional. Consumers note that unlike all other sanitary acid-based silicone silicone sealants, Tytan Professional does not have a pronounced acetic odor.

• Universal silicone clear sealant Russian trademark "Bison" produced in Stavropol. Differs in excellent coupling with a large amount of materials, durability, high elasticity.

• Kiilto Sealant produced in Finland. It is characterized by good heat resistance, high solids content. It combines with natural stones, including marble. It is applied in work with any sanitary equipment, but is not used in aquariums.

• Krass trademark (Lacra company). The main advantage of the sanitary silicone sealant Krass is to restore the original appearance of the surface after all sorts of deformations. High modulus, fireproof, heat-resistant, waterproof, flexible, non-shrink, quick-hardening sealant withstands heavy loads.

• One of the leading suppliers of sealants is Soudal companywhose main office is located in the Belgian Turnhout. Universal colorless Soudal 300 ml - high-quality composition with the smell of acetic acid. Ultraviolet radiation, precipitation does not affect it. It is applied very simply to almost any surface: concrete, brick, wood, glass, ceramic, etc. It has a wide range of various colors that do not fade with time.

If you carefully study the instructions for use and recommendations for the purchase of sealant, The purchased product will serve for a long time and will bring great benefits:

• As part of high-quality sanitary sealant must be silicone rubber. It does not have an unpleasant peculiar smell and does not pose any danger for a person.
• When using the substance, it is necessary to act carefully and carefully, then the view of the room will not be spoiled. Before applying sealant to a specific area, it must be degreased and dried thoroughly, as the product does not adhere to the wet surface.

• In a special gun, called the mount, a tube is inserted, previously cut off with an inclination of a little less than 50 degrees, the tip is put on it, and then the tool is squeezed out. To get a neat seam, you must adjust the pressure on the gun with the appropriate force. To avoid the penetration of excess funds, as well as to obtain an aesthetic seam, the edge of the joint is treated with adhesive tape, which then needs to be removed.
• Use a damp cloth or sponge to remove excess sealant from the surface. Then try to trim the seam with a finger or trowel.
• When using sealant, it is important to know the drying time. After applying the composition, the top layer will dry within a few hours. Full drying will come no earlier than a day.

• To dry faster, it is necessary to improve the ventilation in the room. It is desirable to artificially double the air temperature. To speed up the polymerization can be sprayed with water on the hardened seams. Removing the previous layer before applying fresh also contributes to a faster drying of the composition.
• To purchase a quality product, it is necessary to take into account the shelf life of the product, focus on the plasticity and elasticity of the product during temperature fluctuations, ask about the quality of adhesion (adhesion), compression of the product after the evaporation of the liquid occurs. It is necessary to find out how the material is stretched to the break.

For more information on how to properly use silicone sealant, tell the following video.