Durability of Building and Construction Sealants and Adhesives

Twenty-eight peer-reviewed papers, reflecting the latest information on sealant and adhesive durability, cover: Field Experience with Sealed Joints and Adhesive Fixations—discusses a novel secondary drainage system for architectural panel walls, consisting of tubes and joint protection collection reservoirs with one-way valves; the retrofitting of a lock strip gasket system on the fa‡ade of a twenty-year old building to create a watertight barrier; and structural silicone glazing systems. Factors Influencing the Durability of Sealed Joints and Adhesive Fixations—examines the influence of polyester powder coating chemistry on the adhesion durability of silicone sealants; water absorption in cold liquid-applied waterproofing; cleaning and preparation of float glass substrates; relationship between elevated moisture conditions in substrates and the ability of sealants to maintain adequate bond strength; and a comparison of the properties of silyl-terminated polyurethanes with those of traditional polyurethanes. Durability Studies of Sealants and Adhesives—studies the effect of different foam backer rods on the cure and mechanical performance of sealed joints; HVAC sealant longevity; use of biocides in silicone sealants; case histories of horizontal sealant joint failure investigations; resistance of horizontal joints to concentrated loads; and much more. Development of New Test Methods and Performance Based Specifications—reviews issues related to the mechanical property characterization of sealants; a systematic approach to a performance-based guide for the selection of crack sealants used in airport pavements; the effect of ambient laboratory climate ageing on material properties used in the FEA modeling of silicone sealants; and the key requirements relevant to any service-life-prediction methodology.