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Water-Borne Sealants and Caulks with SMI Minerals

Water-borne sealants constitute one of the largest segments of the sealant market. Most are general- performance caulks with lower levels of elasticity and durability than those of silicones, urethanes, and other long-service-life sealants that allow high degrees of joint movement. Water-based sealants are mainly DIY (do it yourself) products sold to homeowners and OTC (over the counter) products sold to contractors. They are valued for their ease of use and clean-up, ability to adhere to painted surfaces, and low cost.

Applications are almost all in the construction industry, with only small amounts used in original equipment manufacturer (OEM) vehicle areas such as thread sealants in automobiles and for sealing the manufacture of recreational vehicles and manufactured homes. 

In new construction, water-based sealants are used as fire-stop sealants and for installing windows in metal buildings. Some insulating-glass window manufacturers have used water-borne sealants. In the home, these sealants are used around doors and windows as well as for weatherproofing thresholds, sealing cracks in stucco or concrete, caulking around bathtubs and shower stalls, reglazing broken windows, and filling in the gaps between logs in log houses. Tape joint compounds or cements used to fill gaps between pieces of gypsum wallboard can be considered sealants but are often classified as building products. Click here to read more about tape joint compounds.

Acrylic latexes dominate the water-borne sealant market with vinyl acetate-ethylene, vinyl acrylics, and polyvinyl acetate emulsions also used.


SMI Calcium Carbonates for Water-Based Sealants and Caulks
Ground calcium carbonate (GCC) sometimes called ground limestone is used for filling virtually all non-clear water-based caulks. While primarily added as a cost-reducing replacement for polymer, GCCs build non-thixotropic viscosity, while high brightness grades add whiteness and opacity. Being hydrophilic, calcium carbonate disperses easily in water-based formulations.

GCCs used are typically 3 to 20 microns in size, although finer or coarser products may be suitable for specific applications. The smaller GCCs add more viscosity to the formulation, while the larger ones, having lower oil absorptions, allow higher loadings without excessive thickening. Often several grades of different sizes are used to improve particle packing, which also allows the use of higher levels of filler. 

Ground dolomites (calcium magnesium carbonates) are also useful in water-based sealants and caulks. When comparing grades of ground limestone and ground dolomite of the same particle size, the dolomite usually has a lower oil absorption—so can be loaded higher—but will tend to have a lower brightness.

Some high-performance, specialty water-borne sealant applications may benefit from the use of an uncoated precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC). Coated PCCs are widely used in non-aqueous, long-service life sealants—including silicones, polyurethanes, and PVC plastisols—as the sole or main rheological additive.  They also increase strength. Uncoated PCCs come in sizes as small as 0.07 microns (70 nanometers)—true nano particles. Click here to learn more about these PCCs and how they are used in sealants and adhesives.

Specialty Minerals Inc. (SMI) manufactures ground calcium carbonates at Adams, Massachusetts and Lucerne Valley, California. Ground dolomites are produced in Canaan, Connecticut. For water-based sealants, we recommend:

  • Vicron® GCCs- East – are five high-brightness GCCs ranging from 3.5 to 10.0 microns in size. These GCCs are manufactured in SMI’s plant in, Massachusetts.
  • Vicron® GCCs – West – are six high-brightness GCCs ranging from 2.0 to 13.0 microns in size. These GCCs are manufactured in, California
  • Rivercal™ GCCs – are three white GCCs ranging from 3.3 to 5.0 microns in size.
  • Marblewhite® GCCs – East – are 325 and 200 mesh high-brightness ground limestones manufactured in Massachusetts.
  • Marblewhite® GCCs – West – are 325, 200 and 125 mesh high-brightness ground limestones manufactured in, California.
  • Dolocron® dolomites – are two 200 mesh dolomites manufactured in Connecticut.

Click on a product’s name to download the technical data sheet for the product family. To read more about SMI’s GCCs and ground dolomites for sealants click here.


Specialty Minerals Talcs for Water-Based Sealants and Caulks
Talcs are inert and hydrophobic platy minerals. When used in general-purpose polymers of medium durability, talcs improve water, chemical resistance, and weatherability. Their contributions to these properties in exterior water-based paints is well known. Talcs also serve as cost-reducing fillers and add thickening to the formulation.

SMI mines and grinds talcs useful in caulks and sealants in its plant in Barretts, Montana. Talc products recommended for water-based caulks include:

  • Talcron® talcs – fine to medium high-brightness talcs with controlled top sizes.
  • Sericron® talcs– 8 micron talcs with brightnesses lower than Talcron® talcs but with tightly controlled lot-to-lot color uniformity.
  • Microtalc® talcs – fine to medium general-purpose talcs for applications where economy matters more than color.

Click on a product family’s name to download its technical data sheet. To read more about the SMI talcs for sealants, click here.

 

 

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