What is expansion joint sealant?
The expansion of the joint sealant is a term used to describe the product group for resistance to weathering for use as aesthetic or functional sealing substances in gaps in concrete slabs, walks, deck, bridges and sidewalks. For their ability to absorb the impact and expand or withdraw with the rest of the structure without cracking or separation. These sealing substances include several types of fluids or gel epoxides and solid cork or wooden strips. Depending on the type of expansion joint, these sealants can be used with or without underlying material. Although well serves their intended purpose, they represent several aesthetic and practical dilemmas. For example, they tend to be visually unattractive and allow moisture to penetrate or under the structure. All these problems can be solved by inserting the sealant into the joint gap.
The sealants of this kind are formulated for each specific intended area of use and differ from application to application. However, everyone must be able to handle the wear on which the structure is exposed and expands and withdraws at the same pace as. This prevents cracking or sealant separation. For this reason, when selecting an expansion joint, advice should be required to ensure the correct class.
The material used for expansion joint sealants include epoxy resins with low viscosity, silicone gels and cork and forests such as southern yellow pine, redwood or western cedar. Most liquid or gel sealants are self -acting to ensure flat, without default and can be painted or colored to match the rest of the structure. These sealants are usually applied with a sealing gun or directly from the tube. Epoxy and silicone sealants also offer excellent protection against exclusion and lifteating plants. Depending on the type of joint profile, these sealants are often used in conjunction with a rubber or foam pad material inserted into the gap before sealing.
wooden strips are also commonly used materials for the expansion joint. They create a very visually attractive seal, but require more care for installation and maintenance and lack of life as epoxy and silicone sealants. The wood used for the joint seals must also be carefully selected because not all forests are suitable for this application. Dense cork strips are another popular choice, although they tend to be inappropriate for high impact or traffic areas.