Acrylic sealant - an alternative to silicone

The modern market provides the buyer with a wide range of various sealants. They are used to seal joints between building structures, to restore plinths, dry walls of concrete or brick. Quite popular is the acrylic sealant for wood (furniture, doors, window frames). According to the chemical composition, sealants can be classified into bitumen, acrylic, acryl-lacquer, silicone and polyurethane.

The acrylic sealant contains siliconized modified additives that are identical in their biochemical properties to high-quality silicone, but acrylic is much cheaper than silicone. The presented type of sealant is characterized by unique properties:

- excellent adhesion to concrete, tiles, bricks, fiberboard, OSV, PVC, rubber, varnished surfaces, glass, any porous substrates;

- after drying, the acrylic sealant can be painted with oil, latex or any other paint and varnish materials;

- wide temperature range of application (from -40 to +80 degrees);

- high resistance to environmental factors (humidity, temperature, ultraviolet radiation);

- high deforming resistance (from 200 to 500 percent);

- high thermal, sound and vibration resistance;

- contains antimycotic additives, therefore it can be used in premises with high humidity (for example, it can be a bathroom, a sauna, a bath, a pool, etc.).

The sealant containing acrylic does not differ in appearance from silicone, in some respects even surpasses it. Acrylic sealant is suitable for work on wood, dry plaster, particle board, rubber, glass, for painted surfaces, for sealing doorways, window frames, ventilation openings. This substance provides a durable, strong, transparent, elastic and reliable seam.

The main properties that combine silicone and acrylic sealant:

- durability;

- plasticity;

- strength;

- water resistance;

- high resistance to deforming factors;

- acid resistance;

- high adhesion to most building materials (wood, metal, concrete, plastic, glass, laminate, brick, parquet, ceramics, plaster, linoleum, etc.).

From the listed characteristics it is clear that these materials have much in common, but there are also differences. So, acrylic is several times cheaper than silicone, has a high moisture and heat resistance (up to 80 ° C), silicone can withstand the temperature load up to 180 degrees.

The index of linear expansion for silicone is from 100 to 200%, and for acrylic - 200-500%. This indicator is very important for significant temperature changes and vibrations. Silicone sealant shows hydrophobic properties, therefore, to restore the seam, it will never be painted. Over time, the silicone turns yellow, loses its aesthetic properties. Acrylic sealant also perfectly repels water, but it is painted with paint and varnish materials quite simply. Silicone does not contain antimycotic additives, so even in sanitary conditions, with sufficient moisture, it turns black (covered with mold). Restore this seam is not possible, it must be removed with a solvent. With acrylic, everything is much simpler.

Silicone sealants with acid properties can not be applied to natural stones, metal, because they are oxidized. This material can be applied to glass or plastic.