Joint sealing plays an important part in the overall performance of many products - from automobile engine components to large buildings. The joint design should be as carefully selected and engineered as any other critical component in the product. Ultimate sealing success is a great deal more than merely sealing a given gap with an impervious material. The functioning of the sealant will depend as much on the design of the joint as on the physical properties of the sealant.
The design of a sealant joint depends to a great extent on its function and / or on the industry that is using the sealant. For example, there are numerous types of construction joints including expansion and contraction, overlap, perimeter, and butt. They can be horizontal, vertical, or inclined. Threaded joints are commonly used in the machinery and equipment industries. In this application, the sealant could be semi-permanent and capable of being removed for maintenance operations. Sealants can also be used to provide a gasket.