SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1996
STP16053S

Physical-Chemical Changes in Silicone Elastomers Used for Building Sealants

Source

The modulus of a silicone sealant elastomer is one of the most fundamental properties of these materials that can be measured on a routine basis. It is also a very complex function of several variables. These variables include the chemistry of the silicone polymer and the type of filler compounded into the product. Moreover, once the sealant is placed into service, additional variables such as loading and displacement history, time-temperature cycles, and weathering exposure become significant. Several approaches have been developed to monitor and characterize changes observed in three specific commercial silicone sealants. While silicone polymerization chemistry determines the broad characteristics of these sealants, it was observed that filler type, particulate bulk and cohesive material performance, and weathering can also contribute long term effects. These effects on some of the engineering properties pertaining to silicone elastomers used in building sealant application is the subject of this paper. Elastomers exhibit compressive moduli that can be several times that of the tensile moduli. In addition, acid and base pH levels from exposure to precipitation can accelerate residual cross-linking and ultimately lead to sealant degradation. The net result produced by such experiments has been a better understanding of sealant properties.

Author Information

Tock, RW
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Keshavaraj, R
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
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Details
Developed by Committee: C24
Pages: 113–125
DOI: 10.1520/STP16053S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5329-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-2049-5