Provide the most suitable sealant adhesives for your market.
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Provide the most suitable sealant adhesives for your market.
There’s an ongoing debate about whether polyurethane sealant is better than silicone sealant among professionals and DIY enthusiasts. Each of these adhesives offers unique properties and benefits, so users often wonder which one is superior. Whatever the application may be, choosing the right sealant for your needs will make a significant impact on the durability and effectiveness of the bond. As a trusted PU sealant manufacturer, we want to help you make the right choice. So, today, we will explore these options and provide a full comparison.
Polyurethane Sealant vs. Silicone Sealant
As a PU sealant manufacturer, we understand how important sealants are in a variety of industries. Including construction and the automotive industry, among others. Overall, this material has three major functions. Polyurethane sealant and silicone sealant can be used for:
● Filling the gaps between two or more surfaces
● Prolonging the lifespan of the surface being sealed
● Creating a prospective barrier to keep air, dust, substances, and more at bay
However, to be effective, the sealant you use needs to be compatible with the materials involved in your project. Additionally, they need to offer the features you require. Whether that’s temperature resistance, chemical resistance, durability, adhesive strength, etc.
Fortunately, polyurethane sealants and silicone sealants exist, plus a variety of other options. But how can you know which option is the right one for you? Well, you need to be familiar with the benefits and limitations of each. So, let’s take a look:
● Polyurethane Sealant
Polyurethane is organic and this is one of the biggest differences between it and silicone. While PU sealants don’t have the same temperature resistance or color stability as silicone sealants, they do offer many other benefits. For example, PU sealants offer a lot more adherence, especially to wood. It also performs really well on non-primed concrete. However, it won’t work well on glass.
Another great thing about polyurethane sealants is that they withstand abrasion a lot better. Additionally, they offer chemical resistance, which means they won’t be affected by substances like oil and other chemicals. The bond will stay strong. Polyurethane also becomes firm when it dries, while silicone stays soft, which offers a bit more flexibility.
Polyurethane sealants can also be painted over, which is not the case for silicone sealants. So, you will be able to hide the adhesive a lot better by painting over it. For some projects, this is essential. As such, it’s an important feature to consider when choosing between sealants.
● Silicone Sealant
Silicone sealant is one of the most popular options to fix things around the house, but it’s also used in construction, plumbing, and so many other industries. The applications are just as varied as the applications for PU sealants. As mentioned before, silicone is inorganic, and it offers a variety of properties.
For example, silicone sealants are resistant to UV rays, which means they can be exposed to the sun without degrading. For this reason, they are also resistant to discoloration, so the sun won’t fade the color of the surfaces where silicon sealant is applied.
Additionally, silicone sealants are resistant to extreme temperatures, so they can withstand extreme cold or heat without losing adhesion. Silicone sealants offer a lot of flexibility because they adhere well to a variety of materials, more specifically metal, glass, and tile.
Silicone sealants are not without their disadvantages, though. For example, they won’t work well on wood and they have low resistance to abrasion and tears. The surface of the silicone sealant is also prone to retaining dirt and this material can't be painted over.
How to Decide Between Polyurethane Sealant and Silicone Sealant
Overall, your choice will depend on your application needs and what you need from your sealant. So, consider PU sealants and silicone sealants carefully, and compare each of their features with your needs. This will allow you to see which one is more suitable. At the end of the day, both of these types of sealants offer great advantages.
● Advantages of Polyurethane Sealant
PU sealants offer a few advantages over silicone sealants, so they are the preferred choice for specific applications. For one, PU sealant offers stronger adhesion to a great variety of materials. Including plastics, concrete, and metals. As such, it's an ideal option for structural bonding purposes.
Polyurethane sealant is also resistant to chemicals, which means that chemicals and solvents won’t affect the bonding or adhesion. This is why it’s such a popular option in industries where exposure to chemicals is common. Lastly, PU sealants offer a faster cure time, so they’re perfect for projects that require little downtime.
● Advantages of Silicone Sealant
Silicone sealants also offer advantages over PU sealants, making them a good choice for a variety of applications. Silicone sealants have water resistance, so they’re the best option for areas that often get wet or experience a lot of humidity. Such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Additionally, silicone sealants are resistant to extreme temperature changes, so they’re a great option for outdoor applications. Moreover, silicone sealant offers electrical insulation, which is why it’s often used in the manufacturing of electronics to protect components from dust, dirt, etc.
Final Words
So, it's polyurethane sealant better than silicone sealant? The answer is yes, PU sealant is better than silicone sealant for certain applications. For other applications, silicone sealant is the best option. This is why understanding the differences between these two types of sealant will always help you determine which one is the right fit on a case-by-case basis.
At the end of the day, both polyurethane sealants and silicone sealants offer amazing properties and they do their job really well. It’s only a matter of determining which one checks the most boxes for you.
If you want high-quality options from an established PU sealant manufacturer, browse our website to find PU sealants for all kinds of applications. Read the descriptions of the products well and you will find exactly what you need for your next project!
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