Long-Term Outdoor Weathering Study of Construction Sealants

Long-term weather resistance is an important factor to consider when selecting a sealant product for use as an exterior weatherseal for construction applications. The weathering performance of sealants used in these applications can be dependent upon sealant type, sealant chemistry, product formulation, building location, climate, and joint orientation, among other factors. This paper compares and shows the long-term performance of three construction sealant types: silicone, polyurethane, and acrylic terpolymer. Performance attributes such as toughness, flexibility, adhesion, and physical degradation (i.e., reversion, cracking, hardness, etc.) are compared after a 22 year exposure to outdoor weathering in South Florida.