Silicone seal has achieved high popularity due to the wide temperature range: from -50 to +250 oC. And a number of excellent properties ensured its distribution in such diverse areas as electrical engineering, medicine, food and textile industries, as well as the national economy and industrial equipment.
Quick Feature & Benefits
Silicone sealant neutralizes such unpleasant phenomena as: cold, street noise, precipitation, etc. Also, such products protect fittings from condensate, which has a destructive effect.
Silicone seal boasts the following main advantages:
- high strength;
- stability over a wide temperature range;
- resistance to various kinds of deformations;
- widest scope;
- environmentally friendly;
- long service life without distorting the original protectivecharacteristics;
- huge range of colors.
How to lubricate rubber seals
Lubrication of silicone seals is needed in order to prevent cracking, freezing and premature aging of products. It can also significantly improve performance such as tightness, sound insulation and heat protection.
Among the most popular lubricants are:
- WD-40 is an aerosol that primarily removes rust from any metal surface. In addition, the product is highly penetrating, forms a protective film that provides high moisture repellency, 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 weather resistant and looks great for a long period of time.
- Glycerin. It is a viscous colorless liquid, sweet in taste and absolutely imperceptible to the sense of smell. The main advantages include a low freezing point and a number of excellent hygroscopic properties.
Material suitable for sealing
The seal can be made from any elastic material:
- silicone;
- polyvinyl chloride;
- thermoplastic elastomer;
- rubber.
Any of the above materials must be:
- resistant to temperature difference;
- durable;
- durable;
- moisture resistant.
Silicone sealant can last for a very long time, but it should still be possible to replace it when installing the structure.
Shower seal
Rubber silicone seal is very popular in shower enclosures due to its high elasticity and compatibility with glass-fixing silicone.
The product can be used to seal the shower cabin around the entire perimeter, including for internal connections. High elasticity allows you to call it nothing more than a sealing gum.
Depending on the mating method, the silicone seal for the shower can be:
- A-shaped. Perfectly 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 seal for a plastic window, you should pay attention not only to the color and manufacturer, but also to the characteristics of the material used to make it.
Types of materials:
- TPE is an elastic thermoplastic, which is otherwise called modified plastic. Some finished windows fall into the hands of the consumer already with a TPE seal, sinceit is used in 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 changes, brittleness in frost and ductility in heat, as well as low resistance to mechanical stress and ultraviolet radiation. But its replacement will not cause any difficulties - you only need a kitchen knife.
- EPDM is an ethylene propylene rubber that can withstand any critical temperatures, mechanical stress, ultraviolet and precipitation.
- Silicone rubber is a very soft and pliable material, the positive characteristics of which are much superior to the previous version. There are also disadvantages - the high price.
Window seal tips
Silicone glass seal is the best option, as it is not afraid of any caustic detergents, no paint, no drying oil.
The main purpose of such products is to close the gaps formed between the frames and sashes. The presence of high-quality applied material keeps most of the heat in the room, constantly striving to break out through the opening.
Old windows that existed back in Soviet times were insulated with a self-adhesive seal (Swedish method). This heat-retaining strip, which is an adhesive tape wound inring, can be found in any hardware store.
Modern self-adhesive silicone-based 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 a room with high temperatures and a high level of humidity requires insulation, you should give preference to a heat-resistant silicone seal, since it is he who is able to ensure the ideal pressing of the window sashes (we are talking about a bath, sauna or bathroom).
