Caulk, Grout and Joint Compounds Specifications

Substrate / Material Compatibility



	Your choices are...
	Ceramic / Glass		Ceramics consist of oxides, carbides, nitrides, carbons and other non-metals with high melting points. Ceramics are suitable for applications requiring wear resistance, refractoriness, low electrical resistivity or other specialized characteristics.
	Concrete / Masonry		Concrete and cements consist of a mixture of a binder or clinker and a coarser aggregate. They are used to patch or line floors and walls, bond brick, and join components for use in high temperature applications. Clinker is a fused mineral or mineral mixture, such as alumina or bauxite and lime, which is crushed into a fine powder to manufacture cements. Aggregates are coarser, granular materials that are added to mortar, grout or cement at mixing time to impart special properties such as refractoriness, erosion resistance, and oxidation resistance. Synthetic aggregates are fused mineral or mineral mixtures crushed to a coarse, granular size range rather than a fine, powdered clinker. Portland cement is the most common bond used in structural concretes and mortars. Polymer cements have a resin bond and are used in corrosion protection, mortars for corrosion-resistant floor tiles, and other specialized industrial applications. Masonry consists of tile, bricks, stone or other ceramic components bonded together with mortar or adhesive.
	Composites		Composite materials typically consist of a matrix and a dispersed, fibrous, or continuous second phase. The second phase may reinforce (strengthen or stiffen), alter electrical or magnetic properties, or enhance wear or erosion resistance.
	Metal		Metals are opaque, fusible, ductile, and typically lustrous substances that are good conductors of heat and electricity. They form cations by the loss of electrons and yield basic oxides and hydroxides. Metals that are used in structural engineering applications have a high toughness that is a combination of high strength and ductility.
	Paper / Paperboard		Paper or paperboard products are produced from a pulp of cellulose, cotton, wood or other vegetable fibers. The pulp is laid down on a fine screen from a water suspension to form sheets that are dried and further processed.
	Plastic		Plastics are organic, synthetic or processed materials that are mostly thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight. They can be made into objects, films, or filaments.
	Porous Surfaces		Substances are adhesives or sealants with a high viscosity or gel-like consistency. Typically, these materials have the ability to work with porous surfaces.
	Rubber / Elastomer		Rubber and elastomers are characterized by a high degree of flexibility and elasticity (high reversible elongation). Natural or synthetic rubber is vulcanized to increase useful properties such as toughness and resistance to wear for use in tires, electrical insulation, and waterproof materials. Vulcanization is a chemical treatment that adds sulfur and heat to crosslink the rubber. Natural rubber is an elastic substance that is obtained by coagulating the milky juice of any of various tropical plants. Essentially, natural rubber is a polymer of isoprene, and is prepared as sheets and then dried. Synthetic rubbers or elastomers can be based on a variety of systems such as silicone, polyurethane or neoprene.
	Textiles / Fabrics		Substances are adhesives or sealants suitable for coating, filling, sizing or sealing non-woven or woven textiles. Sizing adhesives or resins are used to fill in paper, textile webs, and other fibrous products.
	Wood / Wood Product		Wood is a natural composite extracted from the stems, branches, and roots of trees. Wood is a hard fibrous substance that consists of xylem, cellulose fibers in an amorphous, lignin polymer matrix. Lignin is a biogenetic crosslinked polymer which bonds together adjacent cell walls into the straw or wood tissue composite. Cellulose is a polysaccharide (C₆H₁₀O₅)_x of glucose units that constitutes the chief part of the cell walls of plants. It occurs naturally in fibrous products such as cotton and kapok, and is the raw material of many manufactured goods as paper, rayon, and cellophane.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialty, or proprietary substrates.
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	Dissimilar Substrates?		Adhesive or sealant systems can bond dissimilar substrates such as metal to rubber.
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Industry / Applications


	Industry:
	Your choices are...
	Aerospace		Products are designed for aerospace applications. For example, they can be used to bond composite structures to other composite or metallic frame components.
	Automotive		Products are designed for automotive applications. For example, they can be used to bond panels and seal windows.
	Electronics		Products are designed for electronics applications. For example, they can be used in potting or encapsulating compounds, conductive adhesives, and dielectric sealants.
	Electrical Power / HV		Products are resins, compounds and plastic composites suitable for electrical power or high voltage applications such as generator or motor assemblies, coil or transformer manufacturing, and switch or circuit breaker insulation.
	Marine		Products are designed for marine applications. They can be immersed in water and withstand exposure to marine atmospheres.
	Medical / Food (Sanitary / FDA)		Products are suitable for medical or food-contact applications. They typically comply with requirements from regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Science Foundation (NSF), 3A-Dairy, Canada AG, or USP Class VI.
	Military / Government (MIL-SPEC / GG)		Products adhere to U.S. military specifications (MIL-SPEC).
	OEM / Industrial		Products are designed for use by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for the assembly, sealing or fabrication of products.
	Repair (MRO) / Construction		Products are designed for use by construction contractors and in maintenance, repair and operation (MRO) applications. Adhesives or sealants can be designed for general-purpose construction or architectural applications. Construction materials include wood, wood products, glass, cement products (mortar, concrete, masonry), plaster board, metal trim, flooring tile, sub-floor or underlayment, plaster board, sheet metal roofing or flash, metal ties, insulation materials (fiberglass, foam) and bitumen-based roofing materials.
	Other		Other unlisted industry.
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Material System


	Chemical / Polymer System Type
	Your choices are...
	Acrylic / Polyacrylate		Acrylic polymers are formed by polymerizing acrylic acids through a reaction with a suitable catalyst. Acrylics are known for excellent environmental resistance and fast-setting times compared to other resin systems.
	Bitumen / Coal Tar		Bituminous substances are hydrocarbons that occur naturally as tar, or are derived as by-products during petroleum or coal refining. Coal tar is derived from the distillation of bituminous coal. Bituminous adhesives are used in roofing and construction applications due to their water resistance and low cost.
	Butyl (Polyisobutylene / Polybutene)		Elastomeric materials are based upon or use a butyl, polybutene or polyisobutylene chemical system. Chlorinated isobutylene or chlorobutyl can be used alone or in blends with other polymers to achieve special properties. Butyl is a common term used for the isobutylene isoprene elastomer. It is known for its resistance to water, steam, alkalis, and oxygenated solvents. Butyl has low gas permeation and is capable of providing high-energy absorption (dampening) and good hot tear strength. The suggested operating temperature is -75° to 250° F.
	Ceramic / Inorganic Cement		Compound or material systems are based on a ceramic or inorganic cement system.
	Epoxy (EP)		Epoxy resins exhibit high strength and low shrinkage during curing. Epoxies are known for their toughness and resistance to chemical and environmental damage. Most epoxies are two-part resins cured at room temperature. Some thermally cured or thermoset one-part epoxies are also available. Depending on the formulation, epoxy resins are used as casting resins, potting agents, resin binders or laminating resins in fiberglass or composite construction. They are also used as encapsulants, electrical conductors in microelectronic packaging, and adhesives in structural bonding applications.
	Glue / Gum		Animal glues include hide glues, casein or milk protein glues and fish-based glues. Hide glues are produced by hydrolysis or by boiling collagen, protein or gelatin from animal bones, hide, hooves or horns. Collagen, hide glue and gelatin are very closely related in terms of protein and chemical composition. Casein-based adhesives (carpenter's glues) are derived from milk. Vegetable glues are made from plant-based proteins or modified starches. Soy protein glues are finding increased application. Gum adhesives or mucilage are based on polysaccharides derived from various plant exudates such as an oleoresin or gum resin. Gum adhesives are gelatinous when moist and harden on drying. Gum adhesives are the salts of complex organic acids. Mucilage contains proteins and polysaccharides and is similar to vegetable plant gums adhesives. Mucilage is a gelatinous substance extracted from legumes and seaweeds.
	Fluoropolymer		Polymers are based on fluoropolymer chemical systems such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Fluoropolymers are used in applications requiring superior chemical resistance. PTFE is used in applications requiring superior chemical resistance or low friction.
	Isoprene / Polyisoprene		Natural rubber is based on the polyisoprene or isoprene chemical system. Synthetic or man-made versions of isoprene are also available.
	Phenolics / Formaldehyde Resins		Phenolic and formaldehyde resins are thermosetting molding compounds and adhesives that offer strong bonds and good resistance to high temperatures. Phenolic or phenol formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde, furan and melamine resins fit into this category. Phenolic resin adhesives made from chemicals of the phenol group and formaldehyde are generally are the most durable. Phenolic resins are available in liquid, powder, and film form. Special phenolic resins are available that harden at moderate temperatures when mixed with suitable accelerators. Phenol-formaldehyde, resorcinol-formaldehyde, resol and novalac resins are types of phenolic resins. Urea resin adhesives are made from urea, formaldehyde and catalysts or hardeners. Urea formaldehyde resins can harden rapidly at moderate temperatures, but generally do not have the properties of phenolic resins. Melamine resins are made through a reaction of dicyandiamide with formaldehyde. Most of the resins in this group have excellent dielectric properties. Furan formaldehyde (FF) resins are made by the polymerization or poly-condensation of furfural, furfural alcohol, or other compounds containing a furan ring, or by the reaction of these furan compounds with other compounds (not over 50%). Fire-retardant furans are used in hand lay-up, spray-up and filament winding operations. Furans are commonly used in foundry binders, grinding wheels, refractories and other high temperature applications. Furan resins and chemicals are also used in fiberglass composites, hybrid resins combined with epoxy or phenolics, and in corrosion-resistant cements.
	Polyamide		Polyamide is a commonly used system for molding high-strength engineered components. Polyamides are also used to produce strong hot-melt adhesives. Polyamides provide higher strength than polyethylene or other commodity-type polymers. Nylon is a well-known example of a polyamide engineering resin that is also used to mold plastic parts.
	Polybutadiene		Polybutadiene is a commonly used polymer system with dielectric potting compounds and coatings. It can be combined with other rubber polymers to form flexible sealants. Polybutadiene remains flexible even at low temperatures.
	Polyethylene (PE)		Polymers or resins are based on the polyethylene chemical system. Low density polyethylene polymers are used to form a variety of common or commodity-plastic components. High density (HDPE) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW PE) have good friction and mechanical properties. They are used in medical devices, wear parts, and engineered components.
	PET / PBT (Thermoplastic Polyester)		The polyethylene terphthalate (PET) and polybutylene terphthalate (PBT) polymer systems are based on a thermoplastic polyester or terphthalate system.
	Polyester / Vinyl Ester		Thermosetting resins or plastics are based on the polyester (alkyd) or vinyl ester system. These materials should not be confused with thermoplastic polyesters or PET resins.
	Polyimide / Bismaleimide (BMI)		Products are based on thermoplastic polyimide resin or thermoset bismaleimide (BMI) resin. Aromatic polyimides are among the most thermally-stable organic materials. DuPont’s Kapton® film materials are an example of thermoplastic polyimide. Polyimide thermoplastics and BMI thermoset resins have high temperature resistance. Bismaleimide (BMI) resins have processing characteristics similar to epoxy resins and are used as laminating resins, prepregs, and adhesives.
	Polyolefin		Polyolefin is broad term encompassing several specific linear polymer types.
	Polypropylene (PP)		Polypropylene (PP) is commonly used in hot-melt adhesive systems. PP is a polymer based on polypropylene chemical bonds.
	Polysulphide		Polymer resins or compounds are based on polysulfide or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) chemical systems.
	Polyurethane (PU, PUR)		Polyurethane (PUR) resins provide excellent flexibility, impact resistance and durability. Polyurethanes are formed through the reaction of an isocyanate component with polyols or other active hydroxyl group compounds. Polyurethanes require a catalyst, heat, or air evaporation to initiate and complete curing.
	Silicone		Plastic compounds, elastomer resins or polymers are based on the silicone chemical system. Silicones are produced through the hydrolysis and polymerization of silanes and siloxanes.
	Starch / Starch Paste		Starches and starch pastes are derived from flours or vegetable matter. Starches are useful additive materials for thickening and other functions. Pastes are commonly applied in light duty adhesive application on paper products such as envelopes, stamps, labels or paper packing tapes. Starch-based pastes are low cost, non-toxic and water activated. In their dry state, water-activated adhesives are not sticky, but upon wetting become adhesive.
	Styrene Copolymer (SIS / SBS)		Products are based upon a styrene copolymer system such as styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), acrylic styrene acrylonitrile (ASA), acrylonitrile ethylene styrene (AES), styrene maleic anhydride (SMA), styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS), styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), or styrene butadiene rubber (SBR). Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) has good resistance to petroleum hydrocarbons and fuels. SBR is used widely with oils, hydraulic fluids, and alcohol. Many compound variations are available for specific applications. The suggested operating temperature for SBR is -30° to 275° F. Styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) and styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymers are commonly applied in pressure-sensitive adhesive applications.
	Vinyl		Polymers are based on the vinyl chemical system. Examples include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDF), polyvinyl vinyl acetate (PVA), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH).
	Wax Based		Sealants or binders are based on a wax compound. Wax binders are commonly used to bind ceramic or metal powder during compaction processes because wax binders lubricate and burn off thoroughly. The original hot melt compounds were based on paraffin waxes.
	Rubber Based / Elastomeric		Products use a rubbery or elastomeric bond system. Elastomers and rubber materials are characterized by their high degree of flexibility and elasticity (high reversible elongation). Natural rubber, synthetic rubber or elastomer sealants and adhesives can be based on a variety of systems such silicone, polyurethane, chloroprene, butyl, polybutadiene, isoprene or neoprene.
	Specialty / Other		Other specialty, proprietary or unlisted resin, chemical system or compound or polymer type.
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	Filled / Reinforced?		Filled or reinforced compounds consist of resins with additional modifiers such as fillers, pigments, or chopped fiber reinforcements. Filled compounds are typically ready to use.
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	Solvent Based (Volatile Organic)?		Solvent-based adhesive resins use a volatile organic solvent (VOC) to thin or alter viscosity. Typically, solvent-based adhesive resins result in greater environmental or regulatory control problems. Solvents can also present a fire hazard or risk explosion, depending on the plant or job site.
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	Water Based / Latex Dispersion?		Water-based or water borne adhesive resins are water soluble or water emulsion-based resin systems that typically do not contain any VOC solvents. Water-based adhesive resins usually present fewer environmental or regulatory control problems.
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Cure Type / Technology


	Cure Type / Technology
	Your choices are...
	Air Setting / Film Drying		Air setting or film drying materials form a bond or "harden" by evaporating water or an organic solvent. Inorganic binders or cements are sometimes air setting; refractory type may develop strong bonds after firing. Pastes and gum adhesives are often film drying.
	Anaerobic		Anaerobic adhesives cure in the absence of air or oxygen.
	Thermoplastic / Hot Melt		Thermoplastics can be repeatably softened by heat and then hardened, or set by cooling, which allows parts to be injection molded or thermoformed and scrap to be reprocessed. Thermoplastic or hot melt adhesives can be repeatably softened by heat and then hardened, or set by cooling, which allows parts to be removed or repositioned during assembly. Hot melt adhesives are typically solvent-free thermoplastics that melt or drop in viscosity above 180°F, and then rapidly set upon cooling. They are used in a variety of manufacturing processes, including bookbinding, woodworking, construction, product assembly, and box and carton heat sealing. Hot melt adhesive technology stemmed from the previous use of molten wax for bonding. Thermoplastic systems were introduced to satisfy performance needs. Typically, a pure hot melt system will not have the heat resistance of two-part, catalyst or thermoset adhesives. Hybrid hot melt systems are available that have exhibit a degree of reactive curing. Polyethylenes, polyamides and ethylene-vinyl acetates are common types of hot melt adhesives. Heat activated adhesives become sticky or tacky when warmed, and are used in contact or PSA type applications.
	Thermosetting (Crosslinking/ Vulcanizing)		Thermoset plastics and thermoset resins are crosslinked polymeric resins cured using heat or heat and pressure. Cured thermoset resins generally have higher resistance to heat when compared to thermoplastics, but they cannot be melted down and reprocessed. Thermoset adhesives are crosslinked polymeric resins cured using heat or heat and pressure. Cured thermoset resins do not melt and flow when heated, but they may soften. Phenolic, melamine and urea formaldehyde resins are thermosetting adhesives that offer strong bonds and good resistance to high temperatures. Vulcanization is a thermosetting reaction involving the use of heat and/or pressure in conjunction with a vulcanizing agent, resulting in greatly increased strength, stability and elasticity in rubber-like materials. RTV silicone rubbers are room temperature vulcanizing materials. The vulcanizing agent is a crosslinking compound or catalyst. Sulfur is the traditional vulcanizing agent used with natural rubber. Silicones use moisture, acetic acid and other compounds as curing agents.
	Room Temp. Cure / Vulcanizing		Polymer resin or compounds that either cure or vulcanize at room temperature. Vulcanization is a thermosetting reaction involving the use of heat and/or pressure in conjunction with a vulcanizing agent, resulting in greatly increased strength, stability and elasticity in rubber-like materials. The vulcanizing agent is a crosslinking compound or catalyst. Silicones use moisture, acetic acid and other compounds as curing or vulcanizing agents.
	Contact / Pressure Sensitive (PSA)		Pressure sensitive adhesives adhere to most surfaces with very slight pressure and they retain their tackiness. They are available in solvent and latex or water based forms. Pressure sensitive adhesives are often based on non-crosslinked rubber adhesives, acrylics or polyurethanes. They form viscoelastic bonds that are aggressively and permanently tacky, and adhere without the need of more than finger or hand pressure.
	UV / Radiation Cured (also EB, Light)		UV or radiation cured adhesives use ultraviolet light, visible light or electron bean irradiation to initiate curing, which allows a permanent bond without heating or excessive heat generation. One disadvantage of UV curing adhesives is the requirement that one substrate is UV transparent. Some UV resin systems employ a secondary curing mechanism to complete curing of adhesive regions shielded from the UV light. EB curable adhesives use electron beam radiation to cure or initiate curing. The electron beam can penetrate through material that is opaque to UV light.
	Reactive / Moisture Cured		Reactive resins are single component adhesives that are applied in the same way as hot melt adhesives. The resins react with moisture to crosslink and polymerize resulting in a cured material. Polyurethane reactives (PUR) are examples of this type of technology. Certain silicones and cyanoacrylates also use a reaction with moisture or water to cure the adhesive or sealant.
	Single Component System		Single component adhesives or sealant systems consist of one resin that hardens by reaction with surface moisture, a surface applied activator-primer, or through the application of heat.
	Two Component System		Two or multi-component adhesive or sealant systems consist of two or more resins or a resin and a hardener, crosslinker, activator or catalyst that when combined react and cure into a polyermized compound or bond. Two component systems are mixed and then applied.
	Specialty / Other		Other unlisted, specialty, proprietary technology or cure type.
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Features


	Features
	Your choices are...
	Adhesive		Adhesives are organic or inorganic chemical compounds for joining components. They require clean surfaces compatible with the adhesive.
	Casting Resin		Casting resins are plastic or elastomer compounds used to cast parts, molds or form a structure in place. Casting resins usually consist of a two-part (A+B) system that is placed into open molds or forms, where A is the resin and B is the catalyst or hardener. The fabricator mixes the components to initiate the curing process.
	Electrically Conductive		Resins or compounds with a high degree of electrical conductivity (low resistivity) for applications such as anti-static or ESD control, EMI / RFI shielding, thick film metallization and device and board electrical interconnection.
	Electrical Insulating / Dielectric		Dielectric compounds and electrical insulation materials are used to form a barrier or isolator between electrical or electronic components. The voltage potential between the conductor and conductive components will influence material selection based on the dielectric strength in order to reduce shorting. Dielectric constant and loss tangent are important parameters in minimizing crosstalk between insulated circuit paths.
	Flame Retardant / UL 94V-0 Rated		Products are flame retardant in accordance to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) Flame Class 94V-0 or other equivalent ISO standards. These materials reduce the spread of flame or resist ignition when exposed to high temperatures. They also insulate the substrate and delay damage to the substrate.
	Flexible / Dampening		Products are designed to provide flexibility or dampening of sound, vibration or shock in suitable applications. Flexible adhesives or sealants form a layer that can bend or flex without cracking or delaminating.
	Non-corrosive Cure		Silicone or reactive systems use a non-corrosive cure system such as a metal or oxime catalyst.
	Thermal / Heat Insulating		Thermally insulating resins, plastics, compounds and encapsulants provide a thermal barrier between components and a hot or cold source.
	UL Approved		Products are approved to or recognized under the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL).
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