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Home » Blog » Industrial adhesives » Silicone sealants: types, benefits & DOWSIL™ solutions guide

Silicone sealers are indispensable tools for robust assemblies and efficient maintenance in industry, electronics, construction and more. MD Poland, thanks to its range of products DOWSIL™, offers advanced solutions to meet specific needs. In this guide, we outline the main types of silicone sealants and their properties to help you choose the right product.

Uszczelniacze silikonowe: rodzaje, zalety i przewodnik po rozwiązaniach DOWSIL

Types of silicone sealants

Over time, silicone sealants have been produced with a wide range of formulation options, such as:

  • RTV sealants
  • Heat-cure sealants
  • Hot-melt sealants
  • One-component sealant
  • Two-component sealant
  • Silicone foams

RTV (room temperature cure) sealants

RTV silicone sealers They work on the principle of chemical reaction occurring in the presence of moisture. They are easy to apply, inexpensive and suitable for a variety of surfaces. The curing process can be accelerated with increasing temperature and humidity.

This type of silicone sealants guarantees easy installation and good adhesion. In addition, they are competitively priced and ideal for general sealing and industrial assembly.

Heat-cure sealants

Heat-cure sealants are characterised by their short curing times and automated application, making them perfect for high productivity industrial environments. These sealants have fast curing, compatibility with automated processes and high strength, making them perfect for application in processes such as the production of industrial components and in automation

Hot-melt sealants

Hot melt sealants offer immediate resistance to deformation and breakage, improving productivity in industrial environments. The advantages of using hot-melt sealants are instant resistance, reduced processing time and aggressive adhesion to various substrates. These silicone sealants are used in the automated production of industrial components and gaskets.

One-component sealants

Single-component sealants have all the properties required for processing and use moisture, heat or UV light to complete the curing process. These silicone sealants are easy to apply and compatible with many surfaces. One-component materials, such as the one-component polyurethane sealant, can be applied at room temperature and are ideal for sealing gaskets in domestic or industrial environments.

Two-component sealants

Two-component sealants consist of two separate reactive ingredients and offer greater control over curing time and shelf life. The application of these sealants in the assembly of complex electronic and industrial components guarantees fast curing, the possibility to customise mechanical properties and resistance to extreme temperatures.

Silicone foams

Silicone foams are an economical solution for environmental seals, providing protection against dust, moisture and splash water. These products offer flexibility, light weight, fast curing times and compatibility with robotic applications. These properties make them suitable for application in gaskets for environmental protection in industrial devices.

Factors to consider when choosing a silicone sealant

In selecting the right sealant for your purpose, you need to take into account certain properties of sealants, which may or may not make the products more or less useful for your application:

  • Chemical composition
  • Operating temperature
  • Adhesion to substrates
  • Curing time

Chemical composition

Silicone sealants are formulated with different chemical bases (acetic, alcoxy, oxime, etc.), each with specific properties:

  • Acetic sealant: economical, fast curing, but potentially corrosive.
  • Alcoxi: neutral hardening, low VOC emission, excellent adhesion.
  • Ossima: high transparency, rapid hardening, good stability.

Operating temperature

It is important to consider the temperature range to which the sealant will be exposed. Some materials can withstand temperatures up to 350°C, making them suitable for ovens and extreme environments

Adhesion to substrates

The ability to adhere to materials such as metals, plastics or glass varies between formulations. Always check the manufacturer’s specifications to ensure that the sealant is compatible with the substrates involved.

Curing time

Film formation time and total curing time are crucial for productivity. Hot-melt and two-component sealants are preferable for fast industrial processes.

DOWSIL™ silicone sealants

Dow offers a variety of silicone sealants for different applications. Here are some of the main products:

Conclusions

Selecting the right silicone sealant depends on the specific requirements of your project. If you are in doubt, consult our MD Poland experts for a personalised evaluation. The silicone sealants in the Dowsil range, with their wide choice of formulations, offer solutions for almost any application, ensuring reliable and durable performance.