A wide range of materials and formulations are available for preparing sealant products that meet a specific need. Most sealant formulations, however, are a compromise. That is, manufacturers formulate their products to meet a variety of applications. These products, then, meet a majority of needs, while the final choice rests with the informed user.
Like adhesives, sealant formulations contain a base polymer that is modified by many possible extenders and additives. Sealant formulations are usually more complex than adhesive formulations because of the many compromises that must be made regarding application, curing, and performance characteristics. The sealant's material cost is also often an important criterion for certain industries because of the high volumes of material that are be used.
This article provides a basic review of the major components that are commonly used in a sealant formulation. The relationship between these materials and the properties exhibited by the sealant system are explained.