Introduction To Silicone Sealant

Silicone adhesive-also known as "glass glue"-is a paste-like material primarily composed of polydimethylsiloxane. It cures into a tough, rubber-like solid upon contact with atmospheric moisture. It is mainly used for bonding and sealing various construction materials, such as glass, metal, and stone. These products come in single-component and two-component varieties; single-component types cure by absorbing moisture from the air, whereas two-component types require mixing to cure. They feature properties such as resistance to high and low temperatures (with an operating range of -40°C to 150°C) and weather resistance. They are available in a variety of colors-commonly black, white, and transparent-and can be customized.

Silicone sealant technology originated in Europe and the United States in the early 1950s. Domestic development in China began in the early 1990s, shifting toward civil applications alongside the rise of the door, window, and curtain wall industries. China's first industrially produced construction silicone sealant was launched in 1992. The first national standard, *Silicone Sealants for Building Construction*, was implemented in 1994, followed by the promulgation of the mandatory national standard *Silicone Structural Sealants for Building Construction* in 1997. By 2019, China had become the world's largest producer and consumer of silicone sealants, with an annual production capacity exceeding 2 million tonnes and consumption approaching 1.2 million tonnes.