Silicone sealant achieved high popularity due to its wide temperature range: from -50 to +250 . And a number of excellent properties ensured its distribution in such diverse fields as electrical engineering, medicine, food and textile industry, as well as national economy and industrial equipment.
Brief description and advantages
Silicone sealant neutralizes such unpleasant phenomena as: cold, street noise, precipitation, etc. Also, such products protect accessories from condensation, which has a destructive effect.
Silicone sealant boasts the following key benefits:
- high strength
- stability in a wide temperature range;
- resistance to various kinds of deformations;
- the broadest scope;
- environmental cleanliness;
- long service life without distortion of the original protective characteristics;
- huge color scheme.
How to lubricate rubber seals
Lubrication of silicone seals is necessary in order to prevent cracking, freezing and premature aging of products. It also allows you to significantly improve indicators such as tightness, sound insulation and thermal protection.
Among the most popular lubricants are:
- WD-40 is an aerosol that primarily removes rust from any metal surface. In addition, the tool is highly penetrating, forms a protective film that provides high moisture repellent properties, and also extends the life of the rubber seal.
- Mastic "Protective and decorative paint." The silicone sealant treated with this substance lasts much longer, is resistant to atmospheric precipitation and looks great for a long period of time.
- Glycerol. It is a viscous, colorless liquid, sweet in taste and absolutely not palpable for smell. The main advantages include a low freezing point and a number of excellent hygroscopic properties.
Material suitable for the manufacture of gaskets
The sealant can be made of any elastic material:
- silicone;
- polyvinyl chloride;
- thermoplastic elastomer;
- rubber.
Any of the above materials should be:
- resistant to temperature differences;
- durable
- wear resistant;
- moisture resistant.
Silicone sealant can last for a very long period of time, but when installing the structure, the possibility of replacing it should still be provided.
Sealant for a shower cabin
Rubber silicone sealant is very popular in the installation of shower cabins due to the fact that it is distinguished by high elasticity and compatibility with silicone, fixing glass.
The product can be used to seal the shower cabin around the perimeter, including for internal connections. High elasticity allows calling it none other than sealing gum.
Depending on the pairing method, the silicone sealant for a shower can be:
- A-shaped. Ideally seals the space between glass and wall, as well as glass and glass.
- T-shaped. It is located mainly on the door below.
- H-shaped.
- C-shaped.
Types of window seals
When choosing a sealant for a plastic window, you should pay attention not only to the color and manufacturer, but also to the characteristics of the material used for its manufacture.
Types of materials:
- TPE is an elastic thermoplastic, which is otherwise called modified plastic. Some ready-made windows fall into the hands of the consumer already with the TPE gasket, since it is used on almost every automated profile assembly line. Due to the small radius of curvature, it can be easily welded, and its cross section can take any shape. Such a sealant is convenient mainly for the manufacturer, and the user receives: poor tolerance to sudden temperature extremes, brittleness in frost and ductility in the heat, as well as low resistance to mechanical influences and ultraviolet radiation. But its replacement will not cause any difficulties - you only need a kitchen knife.
- EPDM is ethylene propylene rubber capable of withstanding any critical temperature, mechanical stress, ultraviolet and atmospheric precipitation.
- Silicone rubber is a very soft and pliable material, the positive characteristics of which are significantly superior to the previous version. There are also disadvantages - high price.
Window Seal Tips
A silicone sealant for glass is the best option, since it is not afraid of caustic detergents, paint or varnish.
The main purpose of such products is to close the formed gaps between the frames and sashes. The presence of a quality applied material retains most of the heat in the room, constantly striving to break out through the opening.
Old windows that existed during the Soviet era were insulated with a self-adhesive sealant (Swedish method). This strip, which retains heat, which is an adhesive tape wound in a ring, can be found in any hardware store.
A modern silicone-based self-adhesive sealant has the following form: a double sample of the above option, from which two narrow strips are obtained with a slight movement of the hand.
If warming is required by a room for which high temperatures and high humidity are inherent, it is worthwhile to give preference to a heat-resistant silicone sealant, since it is up to him to ensure the perfect clamping of the casement windows (this is a bath, sauna or bathroom).