Non-standard forms of pre-cured sealants
In addition to the previously discussed standard and notched materials, pre-cured sealants can also be extruded in various shapes to perform explicit functions. One specific example of a non-standard pre-cured sealant is a thicker, ribbed material cut into pieces, often called pads, and used as an accessory during production of insulating glass units (IGUs) in windows and doors.
Hot-melt butyl sealant is commonly incorporated into IGUs. Certain silicone pre-cured sealant formulations keep the hot-melt sealant from sticking to it, allowing the pre-cured sealant pad to be used as a tooling device with these sealants. Additionally, the thicker material helps insulate the user from the heat of the hot IGU sealant, making it safer to use than other materials for this application. Figure 5 shows a pre-cured sealant pad being used for tooling of hot-melt butyl IGU sealant.
Other examples of non-standard pre-cured sealants include:
- rectangular gaskets used for sealing doors and other openings;
- triangular or trapezoidal shapes for repairing failed glazing gaskets on windows; and
- thicker (up to 6 mm [1/4 in.]) material used for instances where more abrasion resistance is required.
Pre-cured sealants can be ‘green’
Pre-cured sealants can also help address a critical issue for construction—creating a greener building. Most structures, new and existing, have numerous leaks in the envelope, many of which are in the joint areas. Virtually any area in a building susceptible to leaks can be sealed using pre-cured sealants. Once these are sealed, the facility is more energy-efficient and a significant reduction of heating and cooling costs can be realized.
Improved energy efficiency and other factors, such as low volatile organic content (VOC) and insulating properties, allow pre-cured sealants to be an integral part of obtaining the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC’s) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for either new construction or existing buildings, particularly in the following areas:
- Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Pre-requisite 2, Minimum Energy Performance;
- EA Credit 1, Optimize Energy Performance;
- Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) Credit 4.1, Low-emitting Materials: Adhesives and Sealants; and
- EQ Credit 7.1, Thermal Comfort: Design.
Additionally, the manufacturing efficiency and ability for production waste material to be recycled add to sealants’ sustainable characteristics.
Conclusion
In addition to the applications discussed, pre-cured sealants are also used in other areas such as marine, transportation, and industrial-related applications. They can be effectively employed in any application where flexibility, movement capability, ease of installation, and/or a water or airtight seal is needed.
As leaders in the construction industry continue to realize the impact cost savings, product performance, and efficiency pre-cured sealants can make in various applications, it is expected the market for the material will continue to grow. There are certainly many other applications for pre-cured sealants, including several that have not yet been discovered.
Jason Bakus is the vice president of Sealex Inc., a producer and developer of pre-cured sealants and adhesives. He has more than 15 years of experience in the pre-cured sealant and silicone technology markets and is the author of numerous technical articles on pre-cured sealants and their applications. Bakus can be reached via e-mail at jbakus@sealexinc.com.
