Effects of Ageing and the Environment on the Mechanical Properties of Polymeric Sealants

Polymeric sealants have long been used in industry to seal the gaps between masonry and substrates in civil applications. With advancement in the manufacture of the sealants they have reached the point where they can be used as mechanical fasteners in their own right. This report aims to detail the progress undertaken to date on the research into the effects of ageing and the environment on polymeric sealants. This research is being conducted as part of UNSW@ADFA’s ongoing support to a security screen door manufacturer, which found that certain adhesive sealants have excellent strength properties, which could exceed fasteners. The research covers the mechanical properties of three representative sealants in tensile testing and plough testing to determine if ageing and environmental factors have any effect on their mechanical properties.