Hybrid polymer sealants combine silicone and polyurethane properties, making them incredibly durable, flexible, and capable of bonding to a wide variety of surfaces. This unique combination makes hybrid polymers particularly valuable in industries where reliability and long-term performance are critical, such as industrial applications.
At Seal Bond, we have over 25 years of experience formulating specialized hybrid polymer sealants, with hundreds of formula options tailored to meet the demands of various industrial environments.
To ensure each customer receives the ideal formula for their specific use case, we gather key information about 1.) the intended application and 2.) performance expectations.
By understanding how the product will be used and determining the expected performance standards, we help customers maximize their results with our hybrid polymer sealants.
1. What Are the Expectations of Use?
In order to provide the best sealant solution, it’s crucial to understand how the product will be used and what the customer hopes to achieve. We gather as much information as possible about the intended application to ensure optimal performance.
What Surfaces Are Being Bonded or Sealed?
To maximize your hybrid polymer sealant, it’s critical to understand the types of surfaces that will be bonded or sealed. Hybrid polymers, like those from Seal Bond, adhere to a wide range of materials, including plastic, metal, and combinations of both.
For example, a customer assembling a wine fridge or small appliance may need a sealant that bonds and seals the door to ensure it remains airtight.
It’s also important to know if the materials require a primer. Seal Bond products offer primerless adhesion to many substrates, but if surface preparation, such as priming, is necessary, we need to know that upfront.
What Is the Desired Method of Application?
Different applications require different delivery methods, and understanding the preferred method of applying the sealant is vital. Customers may opt for:
- Manual Application from a cartridge or sausage gun.
- Automated Application using robotic systems for precise, high-tech manufacturing.
- Bulk Delivery from a pail or drum for larger-scale production environments.
We also need to know what application pattern is required. Will the sealant be applied in a bead, spray, or other pattern?
Use our free Joint Fill & Bead Usage Calculator to determine your sealant or adhesive needs based on your application requirements and desired package type.
What Is the Development or Manufacturing Process?
The context in which the sealant will be used plays a significant role in product selection. Key questions to consider include:
- Where will the adhesive or sealant be applied? Is it for indoor or outdoor use? Is it being used on an assembly line? Although many products are applied inside factory environments, they may still need to withstand external conditions, like doors or windows that are exposed to the elements.
- What is the temperature of the parts? Are they warm or cold at the time of application, and where are they coming from before the sealant is applied?
- Will the sealant undergo compression? It’s essential to understand if the parts will be compressed or subjected to stress during the manufacturing process.
- What happens after the sealant is applied? How soon will the parts experience stress before the sealant has had time to cure fully? This helps us determine whether a fast-bonding or fast-curing product is needed to meet customer requirements.
How Long Until the Part Is Packaged or Installed?
The timeline from application to final use is critical. Understanding when the part will be packaged, transported, or installed can help us recommend a suitable sealant. For example, if the product needs to go on a truck immediately after assembly, the sealant must perform without failure under those conditions. We must ensure the adhesive is appropriately cured and ready for stress or packaging within the desired timeframe.
2. What Are the Expectations for Performance?
Performance expectations for hybrid polymer sealants are highly application-specific and depend on several critical factors, including the type of stress the sealant will face, its required flexibility, and the environmental conditions it will encounter.
What Kind of Strength Is Required?
Understanding the strength requirements is key to selecting the best sealant. Seal Bond’s products are engineered to withstand various types of stress, including:
- Shear Stress: This is used for applications like windshields glued to cars or parts affixed to boats, where the load on the part remains minimal, but the seal must maintain integrity under shear forces.
- Tensile Stress: For parts subjected to pulling forces, such as structural elements.
- Peel Stress: One surface may experience forces attempting to peel it away from the bonded material.
By determining the stress the sealant will face, we can ensure that it provides the appropriate strength and durability for the customer’s application.
How Much Flexibility Is Needed?
Applications that involve movement or thermal expansion require a sealant with sufficient flexibility to absorb these changes without breaking down. Flexibility is quantified by elongation, which measures how much stress a material can handle before it breaks. For example:
- A sealant with 400% elongation is far more flexible than one with 250% elongation, allowing it to stretch significantly under stress before failing.
What Environmental Conditions Will the Sealant Be Exposed To?
Hybrid polymer sealants must also perform well under various environmental conditions. Depending on the specific application, the sealant may need to withstand:
- Moisture: Exposure to water or salt water can degrade the performance of lesser sealants.
- Temperature Extremes: In hot and cold environments, the sealant needs to retain its properties even in harsh conditions.
- UV Light: For products exposed to sunlight, the sealant must resist degradation from UV rays over time.
- Chemicals: Exposure to solvents, gas, oil, or other chemicals can impact the sealant’s longevity and effectiveness.
- Location: Some products may need to perform in a wide range of climates. For example, Seal Bond once formulated a product for basketball backboards that needed to last at least 10 years in any region of the world.
Understanding these environmental exposures ensures the correct formulation is provided to meet durability requirements, no matter the application.
Additional Miscellaneous Considerations:
When selecting the ideal hybrid polymer sealant for an application, a few additional factors could be considered to ensure you get the most out of the product.
Does the Adhesive or Sealant Need to Be Paintable?
In certain applications, the sealant may need to be coated with paint or other finishes. If this is the case, the sealant’s ability to adhere to specific coatings must be considered. Questions to ask include:
- What type of coating will be applied? Different coatings may require unique adhesion properties.
- When will the painting occur? Is the painting window immediate (e.g., on an assembly line) or later during the product’s life cycle?
Will the Sealant Require Third-Party Testing?
Many industries require sealants to pass specific tests to meet performance and safety standards, which third-party organizations often conduct. For instance:
- UL Testing: Some applications, like dishwashers or electrical appliances, may need to meet Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) standards, such as flame retardancy or safety under specific conditions.
- Other Certifications: If the sealant requires certification from an independent body, it’s important to identify the type of test needed. Seal Bond products can be formulated to meet various industry standards and certifications, ensuring they perform to regulatory specifications.
What Are the Expected Storage Conditions?
Proper storage of the adhesive or sealant before use is essential to maintaining its performance. Ideal storage conditions include:
- Temperature Range: 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit is optimal for Seal Bond products. Exposure to extreme temperatures can affect the sealant’s shelf life and curing properties.
- Humidity Levels: Low humidity is preferred, as Seal Bond’s hybrid polymer sealants cure when exposed to atmospheric moisture. High humidity can accelerate the curing process, while low temperatures in winter can slow it down.
- Extreme Conditions: Warehouses that exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit can degrade the product, so proper handling advice is essential to ensure the material is in good condition when ready for use.
By considering these miscellaneous factors, we can further ensure our customers are using the right product in the right way for their specific needs.
What Industrial Applications Can Hybrid Polymer Sealants Be Used For?
Hybrid polymer sealants offer exceptional versatility and performance, making them suitable for a wide range of industrial applications. Here are some typical industrial applications where hybrid polymer sealants excel:
Manufacturing and Assembly:
- Appliances: Sealing doors, panels, and joints in refrigerators, ovens, and other home appliances.
- Electronics: Bonding components that require precision and flexibility, such as in the assembly of small electronic devices.
Automotive and Transportation:
- Windshield Bonding: Hybrid polymer sealants are ideal for attaching windshields to vehicles, providing strength and flexibility to handle vibration and temperature changes.
- Marine Applications: Their ability to withstand water, saltwater, and UV exposure makes them excellent for use in boats, docks, and other marine environments.
Construction and Infrastructure:
- Windows and Doors: Ensuring airtight seals to enhance energy efficiency and protect against environmental elements.
- Roofing: Sealing and bonding roof tiles, joints, and other components to create watertight systems that endure harsh weather conditions.
- Concrete Bonding: Used in bridges, tunnels, and other infrastructure projects, these sealants offer flexibility and durability in high-stress environments.
Aerospace and Defense:
- Aircraft Components: Bonding parts that require strength and lightweight properties.
- Defense Equipment: Sealing and bonding in vehicles and structures used in military and defense applications.
Energy and Utilities:
- Solar Panel Installation: Ensuring panels are securely bonded and sealed to withstand outdoor conditions like rain, UV rays, and temperature fluctuations.
- Wind Turbines: Used to bond and seal turbine components, where exposure to harsh environmental conditions is frequent.
Try Out Our Seal Bond Hybrid Polymer Products
At Seal Bond, we offer a variety of high-performance hybrid polymer sealants, each tailored to meet the unique demands of industrial applications. Below are some of our top products:
- Seal Bond® 105 - High Strength Adhesive and Sealant
- Seal Bond® 150 HV - High Viscosity Sealant
- Seal Bond® 114 - High-Performance Adhesive/Sealant
- Seal Bond® 132 - Sprayable Seam Sealer
- Seal Bond® 400 -Universal Sealant
- Seal Bond® 190 -Liquid Flashing
- Seal Bond® 134 - Color Matched Sealant
To explore these Seal Bond products further, download our Industrial Products Brochure.
Try Out Our Seal Bond Hybrid Polymer Products
Selecting the proper hybrid polymer sealant for your industrial application is crucial to ensuring long-term performance and reliability. At Seal Bond, we deliver tailored solutions that meet each customer's specific needs. By understanding your application requirements and performance expectations, we can provide you with the ideal product for your project.
Contact us today for personalized recommendations if you’re ready to enhance your manufacturing, construction, or assembly process with our high-performance hybrid polymer sealants. Our team is here to guide you every step of the way, and we invite you to try out our Seal Bond products to see the difference they can make in your application.