SEDL / STP / STP1453-EB / STP12562S

Effect of Foam Backer Rod on the Deep Section Cure of One-Part Sealants

Iglauer, S
Researcher, Professor and Head, Visiting Research Fellow, Joining Technology Research Centre, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford,

Hutchinson, AR
Researcher, Professor and Head, Visiting Research Fellow, Joining Technology Research Centre, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford,

Lee, TCP
Researcher, Professor and Head, Visiting Research Fellow, Joining Technology Research Centre, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford,

Pages: 13    Published: Jan 2004

Download this paper for $25 PDF (292K)          View License Agreement
Abstract

High performance elastomeric sealants are commonly used in cladding systems and curtain walling of modern high-rise buildings. Ideally, they should not stick to, or be affected by, the presence of a backer rod (foam). The cured skin thickness development for three one-part sealants (silicone, polyurethane, modified silicone) in combination with four different foams was examined. The influence of water (water immersion of the sealant and the use of wet foam) was also investigated. It was found that closed cell polyethylene foam clearly inhibited the cure, in some cases significantly, whilst open cell polyurethane foam did not influence the cure speed. It is predicted that a combination of very slow cure and movement during cure would result in significantly reduced joint performance.