Sealant

Description

Any material used to seal joints and openings. Natural waterproofing materials, such as waxes and tars have been used since ancient times. Oil-based caulk, or putty, was composed primarily of calcium carbonate and drying oils. The first synthetic elastomeric sealant, developed in the 1950s, was composed of polysulfide (Thiokol). rubber Butyl rubber sealants, also manufactured in the 50s, contained talc, carbonate calcium carbonate, polybutylene, spirits mineral spirits, and adhesion promoters. The first acrylic sealant, developed in 1958, was a solvent curing product that included resin acrylic resin, calcium carbonate, silica, solvent, and plasticizer. Silicone sealants, introduced in the 1960s, contained resin silicone resins, silica fumed silica, calcium carbonate, ground quartz, black carbon black, talc, and plasticizers. Polyurethane elastomers provide good abrasion resistance. Latex caulks, available in the late 1960s, eliminated the use of organic solvents. They typically contain an aqueous polymer emulsion with calcium carbonate, plasticizers, and other additives.

Synonyms and Related Terms

matriau de scellement (Fr.); caulk; caulking; glazing; mastic; putty; Thiokol

Hazards and Safety

Oil-caulks may contain lead and asbestos.

Early polysulfide sealants may contain PCBs.

Low viscosity silicone sealants can cause staining in adjacent materials.

Additional Information

Michael Scheffler, James Connolly, "Building Sealants", in Twentieth-Century Building Materials, T. Jester (ed.), McGraw-Hill: New York, 1995.

Authority

• Richard S. Lewis, Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• Dictionary of Building Preservation, Ward Bucher, ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, 1996

• Thomas C. Jester (ed.), Thomas C. Jester (ed.), Twentieth-Century Building Materials, McGraw-Hill Companies, Washington DC, 1995

• Random House, Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997

• Theodore J. Reinhart, Theodore J. Reinhart, 'Glossary of Terms', Engineered Plastics, ASM International, 1988