Silicone sealant is a liquid form of adhesive. Typically, it looks, feels, and acts like a gel. It has a different chemical make-up from other organic polymer-based adhesives. Unlike other adhesives, silicone keeps its elasticity and stability in both high and low temperatures. Furthermore, silicone sealant is resistant to other chemicals, moisture, and weathering. This makes it less likely to fail when building and repairing objects.
Properties such as excellent thermal & weather stability, oxidation & ozone resistance, physiological inertness, high gas permeability and extreme low temperature flexibility favor silicone sealants to cater end-use industries such as construction, automotive and packaging.
The increasing number of environmental concerns linked to synthetic sealants and adhesives has pushed the manufacturers to focus more on the bio-based alternatives and the development of these products. Polyurethane and silicone sealants have so far accounted for the top spots in terms of volume consumed.
The silicone sealants are consumed for various applications ranging from common bath tub sealing to high end automotive component sealing. Use of silicone sealants in automotive to reduce the vehicle weight by using sealants rather than welding of the various components is anticipated to fuel the market growth. In developing regions the rapid urbanization has resulted in extension and upsurge in construction industries, which ultimately drives the global silicone sealants market.
The global silicone sealants market is expected to reach USD 3.50 billion by 2024, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The product is increasingly substituting various organic sealants and adhesives in construction, insulating glass, automotive, and industrial applications owing to their chemical characteristics including resistance to chemicals and corrosion and physical properties such as water repelling and elongation.