The Use of Silicone Sealants for Structural Sealant Glazing

Mr. Werner Wagner

Though several sealants have made their way
into insulating glass constructions, e. g. polyiso-butylene,
polysulfide, polyurethane and silicone,
only a few especially developed silicone sealants
meet the high requirements of structural sealant
glazing. Due to their outstanding UV-resistance
and weatherability, silicone sealants show high
mechanical strength and excellent adhesion to all
the various substrates used in this facade
technique even after decades. In the 20 year old
history of structural glazing a wide variety of
facade constructions have appeared on the
market. Different types of silicones, one and two-component
systems, allow different curtain walling
techniques, job glazing and shop glazing. A
fascinating facade project in India is described:
accelerated testing procedures to ensure the
durability of the silicone sealants for more than a
century and totally new application methods for a
novelty in facade cladding.