Sealants are an important part of a number of manufacturing processes. Used to seal a surface in order to prevent the passage of gas or liquid, they help to make joints and substrates watertight, airtight, and impermeable.

Henkel produces a number of different types of sealant to meet the demands of a range of industries. LOCTITE® and TEROSON® elastomeric sealants, also known as flexible sealants, are used in a variety of products and processes. Highly durable, resistant to heat, and boasting excellent adhesion, flexible sealants offer manufacturers a range of useful properties.

Flexible sealants are used extensively in both the automotive and construction industries. In building, elastomeric joint sealants are often used to seal surfaces where flexibility between substrates is required. For example, if the surfaces are prone to expansion and contraction, flexible sealants will move with the substrate rather than cracking or breaking. This makes elastomeric sealants perfect for a wide range of specialist uses.

Contact us today to learn more about our outstanding elastomeric sealants

Flexible Sealant Product Types

Different industries require different properties from their flexible sealants. In order to meet these requirements, Henkel’s LOCTITE® and TEROSON® brands have developed a range of elastomeric sealants suitable for a variety of purposes. 

In construction, flexible waterproof sealants are often used as an alternative to standard caulk. Elastomeric caulking sealants offer a number of advantages over standard caulk. For a start, not all caulk is waterproof. This means that fissures sealed with caulk can be prone to leaks. When using flexible sealants, elastomeric caulking will also be more durable. This is because the seal won’t crack or brake as the substrate expands and contracts.

Some of the main advantages of flexible sealants include:

  • Improved stress distribution over the entire bonding area
  • Excellent fatigue resistance
  • Good resistance to mechanical shock and vibration
  • Superior thermal resistance
  • Waterproofing
  • Easy application

Elastomeric Polyurethane Sealant

Elastomeric polyurethane sealants are commonly used to seal joints in a variety of construction applications. Polyurethane sealants are able to bond to most surfaces, making them suitable for a wide range of uses. They bond particularly well to porous substrates like concrete and masonry.

The high bond strength of elastomeric polyurethane sealants makes them suitable for demanding applications. The flexible nature of elastomeric polyurethane sealant means that the materials that make up the sealed joint can move, expand, and contract, without rupturing the seal.

Advantages of elastomeric polyurethane sealants include:

  • Good adhesion to a variety of substrates
  • Fast curing speeds
  • Resistance to aging and weathering
  • Non-sagging characteristics

Elastomeric Silicone Sealant

Commonly used in both the construction and automotive industries, elastomeric silicone sealant has a wide range of applications. As silicone is an inorganic material, it’s very resistant to weathering and won’t deteriorate over time. Silicone sealants can last for decades, making them ideal for applications that require durability as well as high performance.

Henkel offers a wide choice of elastomeric silicone sealants. Some are designed to dry clear and some have a white finish. Our over paintable silicone sealant has been developed to allow a painted finish to be applied when the sealant is properly cured.

Elastomeric silicone sealants are used in the automotive industry to prevent leaks and water intrusion in both medium and heavy commercial vehicles. They offer good adhesion to a variety of substrates, allowing them to be used across the industry.

Advantages of elastomeric silicone sealants include:

  • Very durable
  • Resistant to weathering
  • Adheres to a wide range of substrates
  • Waterproof
  • Impact resistant
  • No cracking, peeling or shrinking
  • Creates a flexible bond

Application Approaches for Flexible Sealants

Flexible sealants are generally applied to the substrate either by brushing or spraying. Each method offers its own advantages and should be used where most appropriate.

Brushable

Brushable sealant is ideal for applications where accuracy is essential. Manufacturers in the automotive industry often use a brushable sealer when waterproofing and sealing small joints and parts. A brushable seam sealer can also be used in the construction industry when working with intricate joints and substrates.

Sprayable

Sprayable sealant is generally used when substantial areas of substrate need to be sealed. For example, sprayable seam sealants are often used in the automotive industry when sealing inside door skins, inside body panels, and interior cladding.

Contact us today to learn more about our outstanding elastomeric sealants

Industrial Application for Flexible Sealants

Flexible sealants are used in a range of industries. However, it’s in the construction and automotive industries that elastomeric sealants are most heavily utilized.

Flexible sealants are used in situations where the substrates being sealed are prone to expansion and contraction. They are also used when the substrates are expected to undergo prolonged vibration and stress, such as in car engines. Specialized products, such as Henkel’s elastomeric joint sealant, can be used for specific industrial uses. This allows manufacturers to achieve excellent results from production or construction processes.

Elastomeric Joint Sealants

Elastomeric joint sealant is ideal for use when a durable, waterproof seal is required between joints prone to movement or vibration. It’s often used in automotive applications to adhere elements of automotive bodywork, seal substrates, and create a strong, long lasting bond.

Automotive

Automotive sealants need to be incredibly durable as they have to withstand harsh weather conditions as well as prolonged vibrations. Flexible sealants are used to attach interior bodywork and to ensure joints are watertight. Collision repair sealants are used repair bodywork and other vehicle components.  Loctite automotive sealants are specially designed to meet the requirements of car manufacturers and are widely used across the industry.

Over Paintable Sealants

An over paintable sealant is a type of sealant that can be painted when cured. Car manufacturers use over paintable exterior sealant to adhere and waterproof external elements. Over paintable frame sealant is specifically designed for automotive framework.

Seam Sealants

Seam sealants are used to create a water and airtight joint between substrates. Seam sealers come is variety of formulations including heavy bodied and black automotive seam sealer. The type of product selected will depend on the automotive seam sealer application required.

SMP Seam Sealers — SMP, or silane modified polymer, seam sealers absorb vibrations and have low thermal conductivity. This type of automotive body seam sealant is also very good at absorbing noise. This makes SMP suitable for use as an automotive seam sealer.

MSP Seam Sealers — A type of heavy bodied seam sealer, MSP is designed for interior and exterior body joints and adheres well to a variety of surfaces. Most MSP sealers can be painted once dry.

OEM Seam Sealer — Henkel offers a range of OEM approved seam sealant products. Our team will be able to recommend the best OEM seam sealer for your application.

Construction

Flexible sealants are used in the construction industry to adhere substrates and to fill gaps between materials. Elastomeric sealants won’t crack or break like other filler products. This makes elastomeric caulking a good choice in cases where the substrates are prone to expansion and contraction.

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