How do you choose a sealant that is fit for purpose?

When choosing a sealant that is fit for purpose, achieving the right movement capability is one factor, but what about chemical resistance, UV stability, paintability, fire ratings and compliance with potable water standards? Here is a quick guide on how to find the right sealant for your next project.

Colin Picton, ANZ Product Segment Specialist for Waterproofing & Sealants at Fosroc, said sealants are viewed by some as a ‘commodity’ product, but Fosroc doesn’t see it that way.

“We have polyurethanes, hybrids, silicones, polysulfides and now a polyurea sealant,” Mr Picton said.“It is imperative that sealants are specified and installed correctly.”

Silicones

The Fosroc Nitoseal SC silicone range offers sealants for infrastructure, general construction, and other special requirements such as anti-pick sealants for prisons, bio resistance and AS4020:2018 potable water compliance.

For concrete cladding, its new product Fosroc Nitoseal SC100 offers huge benefits for multi-residential projects. A big difference to other products is that it won’t bleed colour into the concrete. “We think it’s the best cladding sealant on the market,” Mr Picton said.

Polyurethanes

Polyurethane sealants are well known in the ANZ market and are used in many projects, from home renovations right through to large general construction projects. Fosroc Nitoseal PU polyurethane sealants enable gunning up to three times faster than other PU sealants on the market, especially in colder climates.

“Helping applicators get the job done faster with less clean-up is the key benefit of choosing Fosroc Nitoseal PUs compared to other PUs,” Mr Picton said.

Silyl modifed polymer (hybrids)

With no isocyanate, low odour and very low VOC, Fosroc Nitoseal MS250 and MS400 are elastomeric joint sealants that comprise a blend of silicone and polyurethane. As environmental credentials become increasingly important, Mr Picton believes Fosroc’s hybrid sealants can play a key role in the construction industry.

“Our hybrids use polymer technology to blend silicone and polyurethane. They are friendlier on the world and the user, compared to PUs,” Mr Picton said. “Excellent weathering and adhesion performance are key physical benefits. Effectively, they offer the best elements of both polyurethane and silicone sealants.”

Hybrids can also be painted over, unlike straight PU sealants that can suffer from plasticizer bleed, resulting in discoloration and a tacky surface that attracts dirt and dust.

Polysulfides

For infrastructure requiring fuel resistance, specifiers can look to Fosroc’s Thioflex 555 and Thioflex 600. Thioflex is a trusted solution for roads, airfields and refuelling stations, bridges, car parks and transport hubs, as they are fast curing which minimises facility down time.

Polyurea

A brand new product in the ANZ market, Nitoseal PY350 is a two-part, gun-applied, hybrid polyurea that offers excellent return to service times and wheel-resistant hardness for concrete floors in retail, warehousing, bunds and other industrial settings.

“It will be fully cured within two hours, compared to days and weeks for more traditional sealants,” Mr Picton said. “It also cures very hard. It’s the ideal choice to handle forklift wheels, for example.”