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Why polysulphide sealants are not ideal for structural glass?
The sealants used in structural glazing insulating glass units (IGU) must have high strength, load-bearing capacity, exceptional modulus, excellent weather resistance, durability, compatibility with glass and frame materials, and the ability to maintain effective gas retention for improved thermal performance
- Load-bearing capacity refers to the maximum amount of weight or force a sealant can withstand before failing.
- Modulus refers to a material’s stiffness or resistance to deformation under stress.
- Structural glazing relies heavily on the sealant’s ability to bear significant loads and transfer stresses from the glass panels to the building structure.
=> Reasons why polysulphide sealants are not ideal for structural glazing:
1. Low Load-bearing Capacity:
- Polysulphide sealant has a restricted load-bearing capacity, making it unsuitable for bearing significant structural loads.
- Normal silicone glazing has a reduced load-bearing capacity compared to structural silicone sealant, making it less suitable for structural glazing.
2. Low Modulus:
- Both polysulphide sealant and normal silicone glazing modulus are not sufficient for efficiently transferring stresses from the glass to the building structure in structural glazing.
3. Weather Resistance:
- Both polysulphide and normal silicone glazing offer good weather resistance, but may not provide the superior long-term performance required for structural glazing.
4. Higher Gas Permeability:
- Normal silicone glazing has higher gas permeability compared to polysulphide and structural silicone sealant, potentially impacting the required gas retention in structural glazing.
=> Conclusion:
Polysulphide and normal silicone glazing sealants are not typically used for structural glazing due to their limited load-bearing capacity, lower modulus, and potential issues with weather resistance and gas permeability compared to structural silicone sealant.
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