Silicone Sealant Summer Construction Guide

With the arrival of the summer’s "dog days," temperatures and humidity levels rise, pushing many places into "barbecue mode." This poses a challenge for the use of silicone sealants in construction, as their curing process depends on moisture in the air, and temperature and humidity changes significantly impact the curing speed.

The curing speed of silicone sealants is closely related to the environmental temperature and humidity. Typically, as temperature and humidity rise, the skinning time of single-component sealants shortens, and the deep curing speed accelerates. This can adversely affect the construction and sealing performance, so special attention is needed during summer construction. In particular, for single-component products, the skinning time will shorten in high-temperature environments, so it's necessary to test the skinning time in advance to adjust the finishing and application time according to the actual conditions.

Summer Construction Precautions:

High-temperature effects: When temperatures are too high, the sealant's sag resistance decreases, the curing speed accelerates, and the working and adjustment time shortens. It is recommended to perform a simple skinning time test before use to understand the curing speed in the current environment and adjust the construction plan accordingly.

Avoid construction during inclement weather: If frequent thunderstorms occur and the substrate or sealant joints get wet, outdoor construction should be paused. Before application, check if the seams are moist to ensure the sealing effect is not compromised.

Construction at operating temperature extremes: If construction must be carried out in conditions above 40°C or below 5°C, or other conditions that may lead to bubbling or blistering, it is recommended that a small area be tested for adhesion to begin with. Only after confirming good adhesion without adverse effects should large-scale application be performed.

Improving the construction environment: The construction environment can be improved by adjusting the application time, choosing products with faster deep curing speed, or using shading measures to avoid direct exposure to the sun. For example, applying the sealant on the west or north side of the building in the morning, and on the east or south side in the afternoon; or choosing ketoxime-based products instead of alcohol-based products to enhance construction performance.