In-Depth Investigation into Usage Methods of Silicone Sealant: An Insider's Guide

Silicone sealant is a commonly used and convenient adhesive in construction and everyday life. According to its curing reaction characteristics, it can be divided into single-component and two-component types. Single-component silicone mastic sealant cures through a cross-linking reaction triggered by absorbing moisture in the air and heat, and is a common product on the market, often used for household decoration, kitchen, bathroom, glass bonding, aquarium bonding, glass curtain wall, and aluminum-plastic panel bonding in common civil engineering projects.

Use of silicone sealant

The ease of use offered by single-component silicone mastic sealant makes it a favorite among professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike. Ready to use straight from the bottle, it can be easily applied with a caulking gun. For a smooth finish, its surface can be effortlessly worked with a scraper or a wooden stick. For those looking to purchase high-quality silicone sealant for their projects, ZHONGTIAN, a leading silicone sealant manufacturer, offers a wide range of products that cater to a variety of sealing needs. Whether it's for a major construction project or a small household repair, choosing the right silicone sealant is crucial for achieving durable and reliable results.

Adhesion time of silicone sealant

The curing process of silicone based sealant progresses from the surface to the inside. The time for surface drying and curing varies depending on the different characteristics of the silicone gel. Therefore, if you need to repair the surface, it must be done before the sealant surface dries (acidic sealant and neutral transparent sealant generally within 5-10 minutes, neutral mixed-color sealant generally within 30 minutes). If you use colored paper to cover a certain area and apply the adhesive, be sure to remove it before the outer skin forms.

Curing time of silicone sealant

The curing time of the sealant increases with the increase of bonding thickness. For example, a 12mm thick acid sealant may take 3-4 days to solidify, but within about 24 hours, the outer layer of 3mm has already solidified. When bonding glass, metal, or most woods, the peel strength of 20 pounds per inch can be achieved after 72 hours at room temperature.

If the place where the sealant is used is partially or completely closed, the curing time is determined by the degree of sealing. In an absolutely sealed place, it may never solidify. Increasing the temperature will soften the sealant. The gap between the metal-to-metal bonding surface should not exceed 25mm. In all bonding occasions, including in a sealed state, the bonding effect should be fully checked before the equipment is put to use. The acidic sealant emits a smell during the curing process due to the volatilization of acetic acid, which will disappear during the curing process, and there will be no odor after curing.

Bonding with silicone sealant

Completely clean the metal and plastic surfaces, remove oil stains, and rinse all surfaces except plastic with acetone. Sand the rubber surface and wipe it with acetone. When using acetone, please follow the precautions for using the solvent. Apply the sealant evenly on the prepared object's surface. If two surfaces are to be bonded together, place one side in position first, then apply enough pressure to compress the other side to squeeze out the air, but be careful not to squeeze out the sealant. Place the bonded device in a room temperature environment and wait for the sealant to cure.

Sealing with silicone sealant

When using silicone based sealant for sealing occasions, follow the same steps as above, and forcefully press the sealant into the joint or gap to ensure full contact with the surface.

Cleaning silicone sealant

Before the sealant cures, it can be wiped off with a cloth or tissue. After curing, it needs to be scraped off with a scraper or washed with solvents such as xylene or acetone.