Durability of polysulfide sealants

Title: Durability of polysulfide sealants
Author(s): G.B. Lowe
Paper category : book
Book title: Durability of Building Sealants - State-of-the-Art Report of RILEM TC 139-DBS
Editor(s): A. T. Wolf
Print-ISBN: 2-912143-12-8
e-ISBN: 2351580419
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 1999
Pages: 225 - 234
Total Pages: 10
Nb references: 25
Language: English

Abstract: 
Liquid polysulfide polymers have enjoyed a long history of success as binder for sealants. Applications range from sealing aircraft fuel tanks to lining sewage channels and potable water storage tanks. Research has been carried out to investigate why, despite the good stability and ageing resistance of polysulfide sealants, they occasionally fail. This chapter reviews the relevant literature and discusses the failure mechanisms induced by biodeterioration, ultraviolet (UV) light, thermal degradation and water attack at the sealant/substrate interface. The most significant finding is that whilst the S-S bond is capable of interchange reaction with adjacent S-S sites, it is not the site of initial degradation. UV and thermal degradation takes place primarily at the C-O bonds associated with CH₂CH₂O or CH₂O structures in the polymer backbone. Biodeterioration and water attack at the interface have proved complicated mechanisms but some pathways have been defined.

Online publication: 2009-12-07
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00