Selecting AXIOM^® hybrid polymer adhesives and sealants

Adhesives, sealants and adhesive sealants by AXIOM^® are produced in a wide range and differ from one another in several respects.

By type of application

Sealants and adhesives can be applied by spraying and by extrusion through special nozzles with openings of different shapes.
Sprayable ones are used to create a protective anti-corrosion coating on various surfaces, and also for the anti-corrosion protection of seams, most often welded ones.
Extruded ones are used for sealing joints and for bonding. During repair, by correctly choosing the shape of the opening in the nozzle, the appearance of the seam can be made to coincide fully with the factory one.

By elasticity and hardness.

The more movement there is in a joint, the more elastic the sealant or adhesive used in it must be. Elasticity is directly linked with hardness. The harder the material, the lower the elasticity. The hardness of sealants is measured in units on the Shore A scale – the higher the value, the harder the material.

Sealant, adhesive sealant and adhesive.

The main task of a sealant is to seal joints. The key thing is maximum compliance, so that when the parts of the seam move the sealant deforms with minimum internal stress. The less stress there is in it, the less it will break down and the longer it will last. Adhesion is also important, so that the sealant does not come away from the surfaces.

The main task of an adhesive is to fix parts in place. The key thing is minimum deformation under load, which does not allow the bonded parts to move relative to one another. An adhesive must have very high rigidity and strength. Adhesion is very important – under any load the adhesive must not tear away from the surfaces.

An adhesive sealant has to combine incompatible things: to be as rigid as possible and at the same time as compliant as possible. In reality its characteristics are a compromise and lie midway between adhesives and sealants. This often gives advantages. Firstly, versatility: in many cases one material can be used both as an adhesive and as a sealant. Secondly, the possibility of elastic bonding, when a structure that deforms during operation has to be bonded, an insulated van for example.

Materials to be bonded

Adhesives and sealants based on hybrid polymers have excellent adhesion to practically all structural materials with the exception of Teflon, silicone and polyethylene. They can be applied to damp and wet surfaces. They should not be used for joints that are permanently under water.

Applicability of hybrid sealants by AXIOM^®