The simple answer is this. The more common tests applied to silicones and urethane sealants are.
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Urethane vs silicone sealant. A silicone based sealant carries a longer te rm warranty ranging from 2 to 4 times as many years as opposed to a common urethane warranty. Example there is far better uv resistance in urethane sealants compared to what existed when the building was constructed. Silicone remains flexible unlike the polyurethane. Polyurethane however becomes even harder to apply and does not make a permanent bond when the temperatures are low. By choosing silicones with longer term warranties the life cycle coat of sealing your building could be greatly reduced. The effects of breakdown of silicone and polyurethane depend on the sealants chemical makeup.
After careful consideration it was determined that a silicone sealant. This building required a sealant with high uv stability flexibility over a wide temperature range and the ability to accommodate extreme joint movement. A silicone based sealant carries a longer term warranty ranging from 10 to 20 years as opposed to the standard 5 year urethane warranty which is common in the industry. Polyurethane is an organic material. Astm c920 federal tt s 001543 astm d 5893. The testing standards required may vary by sealant chemistry silicone or urethane.
Why is sealant chemistry important. By choosing silicones with longer term warranties the life cycle cost of sealing your building could be greatly re duced. The cold does not affect application. Silicone is the best sealant for the colder temperatures. Silicone is an inorganic material. Building specifications often dictate that a sealant meet particular testing standards.
Uv stability and reversion. The primary difference is at the chemical level.