General Purpose Silicone
A ready-to-use acetoxy silicone sealant for general sealing and glazing applications. It adheres to a variety of porous and non-porous substrates. It also has good resistance to UV radiation and low temperatures.
A medium modulus, one component caulking material that cures upon exposure to atmospheric moisture to form a tough rubbery solid. It has excellent adhesion to glass, metals, most types of wood, painted surfaces and many plastics.
1. Window & Door Sealing
A premium, 100% silicone sealant that combines strength and flexibility to resist cracking, shrinking or washing away. It is also mold and mildew resistant with a lifetime guarantee.
Proper window and door sealing prevents cold air from leaking in during winter and hot air from escaping during summer, reducing your energy bills and keeping your house comfortable. It also protects your windows and doors from deterioration, helping them last longer.
This is a one component acid cure silicone rubber that adheres to glass, aluminum, painted surfaces, ceramic, most plastics and non-oily wood. It is resistant to extreme temperatures and has low thermal expansion and contraction. This makes it ideal for applications where temperature fluctuations are common. It is also pigmentable, making it easy to create bespoke colors for bespoke glazing and doors.
2. Gutter & Downpipe Sealing
The gutter system on a home endures a lot of pressure, particularly from heavy rain and snow. This can cause leaks, and silicone sealants can be used to fix these.
Silicones are often used in construction as coatings, adhesives, and sealants due to their durability, weather resistance, flexibility, ability to General Purpose Silicone bond a variety of materials, and thermal insulation properties. Silicones are also used in transportation as lubricants, sealants, and additives to help reduce marine organism buildup and improve fuel efficiency.
Xometry’s General Purpose Silicone is perfect for a wide range of projects. This adhesive caulk is easy to use, dries fast, and has excellent adhesion to cultured marble, tile, glass, vinyl, aluminum, and sheet metal, without the need for a primer. It is waterproof, dries clear, and contains an anti-fungal compound.
3. General Weather & Draught Proofing
Draught proofing is a cheap way to save on energy bills by blocking the air flow through gaps around doors and windows. It’s usually easy enough to do yourself, with self-adhesive edging strips that can be cut to size for the most common problems. Larger gaps can be filled with expanding polyurethane spray foam or silicone sealant.
Silicones are a common element in many everyday products and appliances. Their flexibility and durability allows them to withstand extreme environmental conditions, from freezing to sweltering temperatures.
This makes them a great choice for draught proofing and other home repairs, including in rooms that see high levels of moisture such as bathrooms and kitchens. Their water resistance also makes them suitable for sealing terrariums, aquariums and hot tubs.
4. Sealing Soft Metals
MG Chemicals can offer general purpose silicone adhesives which are suitable for sealing and bonding a wide range of materials, including metals. There are also silicones designed for particular applications. For example, Akfix 100D Shower Cabinet Silicone is ideal for sealing the shower cabin and bathtub in bathrooms as it provides a waterproof seal and can be painted afterwards (refer to product specifications).
There are also silicones with anti-fungal properties, which are effective in wet areas where mould can grow. And, there are acetoxy cure sealants which can be used for PVC trims and cladding, sealing to timber or Pvcu window frames and pointing around windows and doors. They are odor free, quick curing and have low dirt pickup. They are also suitable for a range of temperatures and are paintable.
5. Glazing & Frame Sealing
Structural glazing involves bedding insulated glass units into the frame, often in curtain wall and cladding systems. This requires a structural silicone with good adhesion to glass and a secondary seal to prevent moisture, dust or construction debris from entering the glazing pocket. The structural silicone should also be able to transfer the effects of UV radiation and weathering to the metal framing system.
Glazing tapes like SGT T2040 can be used as a spacer between the frame and IGU to achieve a clean sight line. These are usually self-wound, with the blue HDPE/PP release liner on one side and the adhesive on the other, to make it easy to use.
Many structural silicones contain a mildew inhibitor to reduce mould growth on exposed joints. To aid in application, masking tape can be used to define the area to be sealed. Alternatively, a ‘finger tool’ can be used to apply the silicone. If using a finger, dipping it in a release agent first will help prevent the silicone sticking to the fingers and not the joint.
6. Siding & Trim Sealing
When gaps around windows, doors or trim are left unsealed, they let in water, humidity, General Purpose Silicone airflow and pests. Sealing these spaces with a good quality silicone caulk will save on costly repair and maintenance bills in the future.
This product offers excellent adhesion to a variety of surfaces including painted and gel-coated metals, glass, vinyl, urethane foam and many other non-porous substrates. It also sticks well to masonry, concrete, brick and natural or man-made stone surfaces. It has excellent resistance to weathering, vibration, moisture and ozone. It can be used at temperatures down to -80°C. It is paintable, touch-up and clean up easily with soap and water. It also provides a flexible, long-lasting, durable bond that is resistant to cracking and shrinkage. It is also mold, mildew and algae resistant.
7. General Purpose Applications
Silicones are used in many industries, from construction to chemistry. Their unmatched flexibility and environmental stability means possible applications are endless.
In electronics, silicones are used as coatings, sealants, and adhesives to help insulate and connect electronic devices. This helps to reduce energy consumption, increase connectivity, and facilitate mobile working.
The healthcare sector is another major user of silicones. Silicones are biocompatible, durable, and water-repellent, making them ideal for medical devices and pharmaceuticals that will be long-term inserted into the body.