Black silicone sealant characteristics and applications

A sealant is a material used to fill cracks and seal them. For the correct choice of a hermetic composition, it is necessary to figure out exactly where it will be applied.

In general, sealants can be divided into silicone, acrylic and polyurethane. Which type to use in each particular case depends on a number of factors, such as temperature fluctuations, external influences, compatibility with the surface material, and others. We'll look at silicone sealants.

Due to its elasticity, silicone cannot be coated with paints and varnishes, but this is compensated for by a fairly wide range of colors. There are transparent, black and colored silicone sealants.

Sealants can be divided into two groups.

• One-component formulations do not require additional actions. They are completely ready-to-use, so they are widely used in everyday life.

• Two-component sealants consist of a base and a hardener located in different vessels. They give a reaction only as a result of mixing. They are used mainly in industry.

One of the one-component sealants is silicone. It can be acetate or neutral.

In the first case, the material contains acetic acid, and in the second, alcohol. Due to this, acetate sealant should not be used with metal, stone and concrete, as acid can have a negative effect on them. A neutral sealant handles these problems easily.

Due to its chemical inertness, the neutral silicone sealant can be used in a variety of applications. It interacts well with metal surfaces and glass, is used at the joints of concrete and cement structures, and is used in shipbuilding and aviation.

Black silicone sealant is an indispensable tool for technical work with cars. The scope of its application in this direction is wide enough.

The composition is waterproof, withstands well various automotive fluids.

This type of sealant can withstand short-term exposure to high temperatures, which can reach 300 degrees. When applied, it does not flow, it is characterized by reliability and durability during operation.

You will learn more about the characteristics of silicone sealant by watching the following video.

Experts say that the quality of the sealant directly depends on the amount of silicone in its composition. One hundred percent silicone composition is considered the best. It does not shrink, has a long service life and perfectly withstands mechanical stress. The disadvantage of this material is its rather high price.

The introduction of additives into the composition of silicone sealant can reduce its hermetic properties., therefore, it is worth choosing a composition with a minimum amount of additional components. You can determine the amount of additives by the weight of the product. An 85 g package of pure silicone compound should not weigh more than 95 g. If the weight is more, it means the presence of fillers.

Working with black silicone sealants does not pose any particular problems:

• for convenient application of the sealant, you should use a special gun;

• after opening the package, a dispenser is put on the remote tip of the spout, which must be cut off, depending on the required volume of supply of the product;
• dirt and dust must be removed from the surface, treated with a sealant, and also thoroughly dried;
• the excess silicone should be removed from the coating before it hardens, after which it will only be possible to clean it mechanically.

One of the most popular silicone sealants is Sikasil SG-20. It is used for repair and sealing during construction work.

The material is packaged in 310 and 600 ml containers, as well as 20 and 200 liters. It is ready to use, does not contain solvents, and practically does not shrink. The temperature regime during work should be from 5 to 40 degrees above zero.

Sikasil SG-20 glue interacts perfectly with almost all types of surfaces, characterized by moisture resistance and withstands adverse weather conditions. During application, the sealant does not sag, it is durable, it tolerates UV rays well and has an anti-corrosion effect.

Another popular brand is Abro Black Silicone Sealantdesigned for repairing gaskets in car engines. It tolerates well the effects of specific automotive fluids, except gasoline. It can be used to work on the water pump, valve cover and transmission pan.

The high-temperature sealant is able to withstand temperatures up to +340 degrees, has an anti-corrosion effect and is practically odorless.

Permatex Black Silicone Adhesive Sealant contains synthetic rubber that helps to withstand temperature drops from –60 to +260 degrees, does not dry out or crack during use. The treated surface is elastic, but at the same time it is tight.

This material can be applied to both vertical and horizontal surfaces. It is water resistant and non-toxic. The adhesive sealant adheres well to a wide variety of substrates such as glass, wood, ceramic and metal surfaces, plastics and others. Complete solidification is carried out in a day. The sealant will withstand contact with automotive fluids.